# Lightning air termination

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/lightning-air-termination
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-28
Lookup label: AT
Drawing use: GA, Schematic
Reference families: IEC, IEEE / ANSI

A rod or mesh conductor on top of a structure intended to intercept lightning strikes before they hit the structure.

## In plain English

### What does Lightning air termination mean?

The air termination is the capture device of a lightning protection system. It can be a vertical rod, a stretched wire or a roof mesh. Roof plans mark rods at their positions, and the protected zone around them is set by the design method used.

### A simple example

The symbol does not show height, protective angle or the design method. Rooftop equipment such as solar arrays and air conditioning plant within the protected zone may still need bonding or separation, which should appear on the lightning protection layout.

### What the drawings help you do

Check rooftop equipment against the protected zone. Read rod heights from the layout notes. An air termination captures the strike; a surge arrester limits overvoltage on electrical conductors.

### This particular reference

A rod or mesh conductor on top of a structure intended to intercept lightning strikes before they hit the structure. An air termination captures the strike; a surge arrester limits overvoltage on electrical conductors.

### Terms

- Terminal: An identified point where a conductor connects.
- Schematic: A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance.

Concept diagram: Identify the device and form → Read the connections and state → Check the equipment reference
A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.

- [Building protection system](https://www.electrical-installation.org/enwiki/Building_protection_system)
- [IEC-60617 symbol preview directory](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-7871E6EF-24D5-467E-9B74-321FEDC9DFDA.htm)


## What it represents

The air termination is the capture device of a lightning protection system. It can be a vertical rod, a stretched wire or a roof mesh. Roof plans mark rods at their positions, and the protected zone around them is set by the design method used.
The symbol does not show height, protective angle or the design method. Rooftop equipment such as solar arrays and air conditioning plant within the protected zone may still need bonding or separation, which should appear on the lightning protection layout.

## How to read it

- Check rooftop equipment against the protected zone.
- Read rod heights from the layout notes.

## Information to show or reference

- Show every air termination position.
- State rod height or mesh size.
- Link to the down-conductor routes.

## Important distinction

An air termination captures the strike; a surge arrester limits overvoltage on electrical conductors.

## Facts

- Graphic cue: Upward-pointing rod on a structure outline
- System role: Capture device of the lightning protection system
- Preview: Original educational illustration; consult the publisher and applicable standard for the exact graphic

## Public references

- [Building protection system](https://www.electrical-installation.org/enwiki/Building_protection_system) — Schneider Electric, Electrical Installation Guide. Public installation-guide description of lightning rods and capture devices.
- [IEC-60617 symbol preview directory](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-7871E6EF-24D5-467E-9B74-321FEDC9DFDA.htm) — Autodesk. Public directory of IEC-oriented symbol families.

## Graphic scope

Independent original educational concept illustration by Elora Grid. Not a certified standards graphic or manufacturer footprint. Unitless; not to scale. Original artwork licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Publisher material is linked only.