How does CMCE Lightning Suppression Technology work?

CMCE technology prevents lightning formation by neutralizing the electrical conditions that cause strikes, rather than attracting them. The system continuously dissipates atmospheric charge buildup before lightning can form within the protected area.

How is the CMCE different from a traditional lightning rod?

Traditional lightning rods are designed to attract and redirect lightning strikes. CMCE technology takes a proactive approach by removing the conditions that cause lightning formation within its zone of protection.

What certifications does the CMCE Lightning Suppressor have?

The CMCE Lightning Suppressor is UL Certified and complies with IEC, EN, UNE-EN, and BS-EN 62305 lightning protection standards. The system also complies with RoHS regulations, carries UKCA marking, and maintains ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications.

Has the CMCE been independently tested and environmentally evaluated?

Yes. The CMCE has undergone independent high-voltage, impulse, ignition, and environmental testing under IEC standards, including salt fog, sulfurous atmosphere, electrical current, and mechanical durability evaluations. Testing recorded voltage levels up to 840 kV at one meter without tracer formation.

Is the CMCE internationally recognized?

Yes. The CMCE has received NATO Codification System approval, Lloyd’s Register Type Approval Certification, and RINA Type Approval Certification for use in commercial, industrial, marine, and critical infrastructure applications. The system has also been evaluated by accredited laboratories operating under ENAC-ILAC and ISO 17025 standards.

Which properties benefit most from CMCE technology?

CMCE systems are commonly used to protect commercial buildings, industrial facilities, residential properties, marine vessels, and critical infrastructure where lightning-related downtime or equipment damage can be costly.

How high does the CMCE need to be mounted?

For land installations, the CMCE is typically mounted approximately 6 feet above the highest point of the structure. For marine installations, the CMCE is generally mounted 1 foot above the highest point, excluding outriggers and antennas.

What is involved in the installation process?

Our team performs a site assessment to design a tailored installation plan for your property or vessel. Most installations are completed with minimal disruption and can often be completed within one day depending on project scope.

Your Lightning Rod Isn’t the Protection You Think It Is.

The Misconception: “We Have Rods, So We’re Protected”

Lightning rods are designed to intercept a strike and safely route it to ground. Most property owners and managers believe that if a lightning rod is installed, the building is protected. But that assumption is built on a very narrow definition of “protection.”

What they don’t do is stop lightning from forming or eliminate the electrical environment that comes with it... and that distinction matters more than most realize.

What Actually Happens During a Lightning Strike

When lightning forms, it’s not just a single bolt hitting a point. It’s the result of a highly charged electrical field building between the cloud and the ground.

When a strike occurs, that energy doesn’t politely follow a single path to the ground. It interacts with the building’s entire electrical environment—inducing currents, creating voltage differentials, and moving through conductive systems.

Why Damage Still Happens with the Lightning Rod

Lightning rods are reactive systems. They act after lightning has already formed and committed to a strike.

By that point, the conditions that allow energy to propagate through the building already exist.

That’s why buildings with properly installed lightning rods can still experience:

Equipment failures
Elevator shutdowns
Control system disruptions
Unexpected downtime

For property managers, this often leads to a frustrating question: “If we’re protected, why are we still dealing with this?”

A Different Approach: Preventing the Strike

This is where the CMCE introduces a fundamentally different approach.

Instead of focusing on what happens after lightning forms, CMCE works to reduce the localized electric field that allows lightning to develop in the first place.

Disrupting that formation process, it reduces the likelihood of a strike occurring at or near the structure. If the strike doesn’t form, the chain reaction that follows—through systems, infrastructure, and operations—never begins.

This isn’t just a technical distinction—it’s an operational one.

It’s the difference between:

Reacting to an event vs. avoiding it
Managing damage vs. maintaining continuity
Assuming protection vs. understanding exposure

It is Time to Ensure Peace of Mind

Lightning rods fail because they’re asked to solve a problem; they were never designed to fully address. The real opportunity isn’t improving how we handle lightning after it strikes.

It’s rethinking whether it needs to strike at all and cause damage to your building.

If you’re responsible for a property and want to better understand how lightning risk actually impacts your building—and what a more complete solution looks like—it’s a conversation worth having. Encore Land and Sea provides several CMCE models built for land, industrial and marine to guarantee you have the right protection for YOUR assets.

Visit our website www.encorelandandsea.com for a free quote today to ensure your building is secure from lightning damage and captivate peace of mind TODAY!

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