Advanced Preventive External Lightning Protection System to Mitigate Lightning Fire in Indonesia Oil Refinery

Due to its tropical climate, Indonesia frequently experiences high lightning activity, which poses serious threats to infrastructure, power networks, and communication systems. This paper introduces an advanced external lightning protection system designed to address these challenges effectively. The system integrates a preventive external lightning protection equipped with an Early Streamer Emission (ESE) air terminal, low-inductance shielded cables (DSDC), and an integrated grounding system to enhance lightning capture and safely direct currents away from structures. By preventing voltage surges and insulation failures, this approach minimizes structural damage and ensures operational reliability. Additionally, lightning event counter (LEC) and magnetic tape are incorporated to monitor lightning strikes and peak current value, enabling better risk evaluation and maintenance strategies. The results indicate that this protection method enhances efficiency, providing a robust and cost-effective solution for safeguarding critical infrastructure in Indonesia.