In a lightning protection system, when lightning current is conducted to the grounding grid via air-termination devices and down-conductors, any metal components, cable trays, water pipes, or equipment enclosures within the system that lack a proper connection to the grounding network can develop a massive potential difference. This leads to the following hazards:
Instantaneous potential differences between pieces of equipment exceeding insulation strength, causing dielectric breakdown and damage;
Ground loop currents in signal systems, resulting in communication distortion or equipment burnout;
Increased risk of electric shock to personnel;
Long-term equipment failure or fire hazards following a lightning strike.
The function of equipotential connectors is to:
Bridge and connect various electrical devices, structural metalwork, shielding enclosures, and cable outer sheaths to an equipotential bonding terminal board or the main grounding busbar. This ensures a uniform potential across the entire system during a lightning strike, thereby preventing "step voltage" or "touch voltage" hazards.