| Feature | | TUPÃ | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Development | Developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and provided as an annex to the standard | Developed by the Institute of Electrotechnics and Energy at the University of São Paulo (IEE-USP) in Brazil | | Primary Function | Simplified risk component assessment for uncomplicated structures, based on IEC 62305-2 ed1.0 | Risk assessment with additional features for more complex scenarios, also based on IEC 62305-2 | | Handling of Adjacent Structures | Limitation: Does not account for the influence of an adjacent building when calculating the risk for the structure of interest | Advantage: Allows users to input parameters for an adjacent structure, incorporating its influence into the final risk calculation for the target building | | Handling of Multiple Services | Advantage: Can handle more than one incoming service (e.g., multiple power or telecom lines) simultaneously | Limitation: Considers only one incoming service at a time, requiring separate calculations for each |
While both standards aim to achieve safe machinery, is often preferred for complex, programmable electronic systems, while ISO 13849 is frequently used for simpler, component-level safety circuits. Key Benefits of Using SIRAC
The was a software tool originally introduced by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) within Annex J of the first edition of the IEC 62305-2:2006 standard to streamline lightning protection risk analysis. While later standard editions phased out this specific software because its simplified parameters were limited to single-zone structures, the methodology behind "simplified risk calculators" remains foundational in structural engineering, asset management, and hazardous risk planning.
): Loss of service to the public (e.g., power outages, telecom failure). Risk 3 ( R3cap R sub 3
) value is assigned by national authorities. SIRAC calculates the actual risk ( simplified iec risk assessment calculator sirac
: Using the updated tables and "typical values" now found in the Annexes of IEC 62305-2 General Risk Management Frameworks : Applying broad techniques from IEC 31010:2019 for more general technical risk assessments. or need help with a manual lightning risk formula DIN EN 62305-2 - 2013-02
The SIRAC calculator offers several benefits to users, including:
Use SIRAC as your daily driver for industrial machinery safety functions, but always pair it with a checklist-based qualitative review per ISO 12100, Clause 6 (Risk reduction by inherently safe design).
): The number of lightning flashes per square kilometer per year. This is typically pulled from regional meteorological maps or ceraunic data. Location Factor ( Cdcap C sub d | Feature | | TUPÃ | | :---
SIRAC was designed to be straightforward. A screenshot of its interface shows a clean layout typical of early 2000s utility software. Its key features and intended use cases included:
Simplified IEC Risk Assessment Calculator (SIRAC) was a software tool designed to assist with lightning protection risk assessments according to the IEC 62305-2 IEC homepage However, the tool has been removed and officially discontinued . In newer versions of the standards, such as DIN EN 62305-2
SIRAC reduces the input variables. It asks for fewer parameters than a full IEC assessment. But in doing so, it forces the engineer to make weighted assumptions . If you assume the wrong "frequency of exposure" or miscalculate the "possibility of avoiding the hazard," the simplified math doesn’t just give a wrong answer—it gives a dangerously confident wrong answer.
Identifies the presence of sensitive electronic equipment and the quality of internal shielding. ): Loss of service to the public (e
): Economic loss (structure, content, and economic activity). R1cap R sub 1 R3cap R sub 3 , the standard defines a . If the calculated risk ( ) is greater than the tolerable risk ( RTcap R sub cap T ), a lightning protection system must be installed. For R4cap R sub 4
: Tools such as LIRA (Lightning Risk Assessment) and other database-driven programs now offer the full functionality of the standard, including support for multiple zones, multiple services, adjacent structures, and detailed cost-benefit analysis for economic losses (Risk Component L4). LIRA, for example, was developed using MATLAB GUIDE and implements all the equations and tables from the latest editions of IEC 62305-2.
Lightning doesn't just damage a building via a direct strike; it can strike nearby power lines or data cables and travel into the facility.