IEC TR 60479-4-2020 PDF

Full title and description

Effects of current on human beings and livestock — Part 4: Effects of lightning strokes. Technical Report describing basic lightning parameters, direct and indirect interactions of lightning with human beings and livestock, the resulting physiological effects and differences between lightning injuries and electric-shock effects from electrical systems; includes safety-related considerations and guidance.

Abstract

This technical report (IEC TR 60479-4:2020, 3rd edition) summarizes the relevant characteristics and variability of lightning as they apply to humans and livestock, describes possible direct and indirect interactions of lightning currents with the body, documents resulting effects on organisms, and highlights differences between lightning-induced injuries and those from electrical-system shocks. The report also expands treatment of step voltages, upward streamers and direct-strike mechanisms, and presents safety procedures and mitigation considerations.

General information

• Status: Technical Report (current edition as published by IEC).
• Publication date: 26 February 2020.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 13.200 (Accident and disaster control); 29.020 (Electrical engineering in general).
• Edition / version: Edition 3.0 (2020).
• Number of pages: 33 pages (IEC webstore); some national reprints/PD versions list 36 pages in their published format.

Scope

IEC TR 60479-4:2020 addresses the effects of lightning strokes on human beings and livestock. It sets out the basic lightning parameters and their variability relevant to biological effects, indicates possible direct and indirect interactions of lightning with living bodies (direct strikes, side flashes, step and touch voltages, upward streamers, induction and blast effects), describes the resulting physiological and traumatic effects, and contrasts these with effects from electrical-system shocks. The report is intended to support safety assessment, medical understanding of lightning injuries, and the development of protection and mitigation measures.

Key topics and requirements

• Characterization of lightning currents, charge and waveform parameters relevant to biological interaction.
• Descriptions of direct-strike mechanisms and their interaction with the human and animal body (including extended discussion in the 2020 edition).
• Step, touch and contact voltage effects and expanded treatment of step-voltage hazards.
• Upward streamer phenomena and their role in injury mechanisms.
• Indirect effects: electromagnetic induction, side flashes, blast/thermal effects and secondary trauma.
• Summary of typical physiological effects, injury patterns and potential immediate hazards to life.
• Practical safety considerations and mitigation measures relevant to personal protection and public-safety guidance.

Typical use and users

This report is used by standards committees, electrical safety engineers, lightning-protection designers, emergency responders, medical professionals researching lightning injuries, regulators and organisations developing or applying lightning-safety policy, and educators. It is commonly referenced when assessing human and livestock risk from lightning and when harmonizing protection measures with other lightning-protection standards.

Related standards

IEC TR 60479-4 is part of the IEC 60479 series on effects of current on human beings and livestock (see Parts 1–3). It is often used alongside IEC 62305 series (protection against lightning), IEC TR 60479-3 and other guidance on physiological effects and safety procedures. National adoptions (for example AS/NZS adoption) and published national “PD” versions may exist.

Keywords

lightning, lightning stroke, electric current effects, physiological effects, human safety, livestock safety, step voltage, touch voltage, upward streamer, lightning protection, IEC TR 60479-4.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC TR 60479-4:2020 is a Technical Report from the International Electrotechnical Commission titled "Effects of current on human beings and livestock — Part 4: Effects of lightning strokes" (Edition 3.0), providing guidance on how lightning currents interact with people and animals and the resulting effects.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers basic lightning parameters and variability relevant to biological effects, direct and indirect strike interactions (including step and touch voltages and upward streamers), resulting physiological and traumatic effects, and related safety and mitigation considerations. The 2020 edition expands several topics compared with the 2011 edition.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Standards developers, electrical and lightning-protection engineers, safety officers, emergency-response planners, medical researchers treating or studying lightning injuries, and regulatory bodies use this TR for risk assessment and guidance.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC TR 60479-4:2020 is the current (third) edition published 26 February 2020 and it cancels and replaces the 2011 edition. The IEC listing shows this edition as the active TR.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 4 of the IEC 60479 series on effects of current on human beings and livestock; other parts address general aspects and effects of different current types and exposure scenarios.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Lightning, electric current effects, human injury, livestock, step voltage, touch voltage, upward streamer, lightning protection, physiological effects.