Lightning discharge — atmospheric electrical phenomena

Independent engineering studies

for earthing, lightning, overvoltage and infrastructure EMC

We use site-specific simulations, measurements and standards-based engineering judgment to make hidden electrical risks visible, quantifiable and manageable — before they become safety, cost, approval or reliability problems.

vendor-neutral
audit-ready
site-specific
cost-optimised
  • A lightning, earthing, surge, or EMC protection system needs engineering
  • Protection is over- or under-designed — costly or unreliable either way
  • An existing design needs independent or standards-based review
  • A new project needs early risk assessment
  • An approval requires defensible technical justification
  • A failure or accident needs root-cause investigation
  • Site conditions or disagreeing vendors make the right answer unclear

When clients bring us in

Typical project situations and decision questions.

Compliant on paper. Exposed on site.

Recurring issues we see in electrical infrastructure engineering, and what we do about it.

  • Conflict of interest

    Problem Product-biased solutions are often not the most cost-effective fit for the site.

    Approach Vendor-neutral & independent engineering based on the actual site conditions.

  • Compliance is not performance

    Problem Formal checks do not always reflect real site-specific electrical behaviour.

    Approach Measurement-based, physics-driven modelling of the actual asset.

  • Fragmented protection designs

    Problem Earthing, lightning, surge and EMC are frequently assessed separately.

    Approach Analyse their interaction as one coupled electrical system.

  • Residual risk and blind spots

    Problem Despite standards-compliance, blind spots for touch voltage, transient GPR, SPD stress and interference can exist and create real safety risk.

    Approach Quantify the remaining real exposure and define targeted mitigation.

  • Lower construction cost Avoid unnecessary conductors, electrodes and mitigation measures.
  • Faster technical approval Provide traceable assumptions, models and design justification.
  • Reduced redesign risk Identify weaknesses before procurement or construction.
  • Improved safety Verify touch voltage, step voltage, insulation stress and transient exposure.
  • Stronger liability position Document why a protection concept was selected and what residual risks remain.

Why this matters commercially

Protection decisions carry real cost, schedule and liability consequences long after the design is signed off.

Engineering services

Because we do not sell hardware, installation services or vendor-specific products, our recommendations are based on the physics of your site — not on a catalogue. Based on our core service areas, engineering is always scoped to your project phase and decision needs.

  • Risk analysis according to IEC 62305 Lightning risk analysis for early-stage or pre-project risk assessment. Helps to decide what level of protection engineering the asset needs, if at all. Provides quick wins.
  • Verifications & optimisations Independent verification of existing or planned concepts; simulation-based optimisation of LPS, earthing, surge and EMC measures; insulation coordination.
  • Designs & specifications Complete LPS design (air termination, down-conductor routing, separation distance, LPZ); earthing/ETS design; vendor-neutral SPD specification by required stress and coordination.
  • Infrastructure EMC & advanced studies Transient overvoltages, current distribution, GPR, step/touch voltages, pipeline/cable interference, SPD energy stress, EMC (electromagnetic coupling) for electrical infrastructure.
  • Technical engineering report Structured report with input data, assumptions, modelling approach, results, standards assessment, conclusions, and recommendations.
  • Decision-ready visualisations Potential maps, current distributions, step/touch voltage plots, SPD stress results, interference profiles, and before/after comparisons.
  • Technical follow-up & clarification Professional support during delivery, including explanation of results, response to technical questions, and assistance with next project steps.
  • Research or publication support Subject to client approval, selected project results can be developed into white papers, conference papers, or joint technical publications in co-authorship with IONLINX.
  • Software tools and dashboards Where useful, results become lightweight calculators, dashboards or decision-support tools your team can reuse.

What you receive

Every engagement is documented for efficient technical review by asset owners, EPCs, insurers, lenders, authorities and independent engineers.

People & expertise

Our senior engineers ensure independent engineering judgment with scientific capability and 15+ years of project experience. Backed by a team of engineers, you speak directly with the project leads.

Most of our engineering work is confidential. Case studies, example reports or details to our methodologies may be available on request or under NDA.

Portrait of Ivan Grobbelaar

Ivan Grobbelaar

MSc Eng · Int. PE · CEng MIEI

Co-Founder & Principal Engineer

Ivan develops practical lightning and surge protection solutions, with particular experience in photovoltaic and energy infrastructure. His work focuses on turning complex technical requirements into clear, vendor-neutral designs and specifications.

Portrait of Dr.-Ing. Eduard Shulzhenko

Eduard Shulzhenko

Dr.-Ing.

Co-Founder & Principal Engineer

Eduard leads advanced engineering studies involving lightning, earthing, overvoltage and electromagnetic compatibility. He uses numerical simulation and physics-based analysis to identify hidden risks and develop technically defensible, site-specific solutions.

  • Energy assets wind farms & turbines, PV plants, battery & EV-charging infrastructure
  • Transmission infrastructure substations, grid infrastructure, pipelines & linear infrastructure (transmission lines, underground cables, geothermal piping), railway
  • Building complexes data centres, industrial facilities, airports, telecom towers, other high-risk electrical assets

Industries & Applications

Same Physics. Different Constraints. The physical principles for earthing, lightning, overvoltage & EMC are the same across different applications. Our methods are applicable for all types of electrical infrastructure.

Wind turbines
Solar PV plant
Data centre server aisle
Electrical infrastructure
Industrial facility
Railway infrastructure
Pressurised pipeline
EV charging infrastructure
Aerial view of industrial landscape
Surge protection devices in a switchboard
Earthing conductor installation in foundation rebar
Airport runway infrastructure
Industrial site
Industrial plant
Substation infrastructure
Electrical planning and cabling
Initial discussion

Clarify the site, available data, technical question, project phase, and required decision.

Scope and proposal

Define methodology, assumptions, deliverables, timeline, and fee in a written proposal.

Engineering study

Perform the agreed simulations, calculations, standards assessment, and technical evaluation.

Results and decision support

Deliver the results, explain the conclusions, answer technical questions, and support the next engineering steps.

Engagement & Pricing

Especially for first-time clients, we often do a smaller pilot project or a risk assessment. This already provides quick wins. You always receive a clear quotation upfront.

Contact

Tell us about the asset and the question — we'll come back with how we'd approach it.

Prefer email directly? info@ionlinx.com

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