DEHN Press
04.11.2025
Retrofitting earthing systems: a breeze with the DEHN earth rod set
Retrofitting earthing systems in existing buildings poses challenges for owners and specialised companies. A functioning earthing system is essential, especially when it comes to renovations, energy modernisations or the installation of photovoltaic systems, wall boxes and heat pumps. However, many existing buildings lack proof of standard-compliant earthing or use outdated systems such as water pipe net-works. In addition, limited space, sealed surfaces and difficulty accessing the soil often make conventional retrofitting a complex and costly undertaking. With the new D18014 earth rod set, DEHN provides a practical solution specially developed for the requirements of renovating existing buildings.To comply with standards, the electrical installation must be equipped with a functional earthing system that safely conducts fault currents to earth, thereby ensuring its safety and functionality. It protects people from hazards, such as lightning exposure, and prevents fires. In Germany, an earthing system is a standard requirement for electrical installations, espe-cially in new buildings. But owners of existing buildings often deliberate on whether retrofit-ting is mandatory when they embark on a renovation or modernisation project.Although there is no general obligation to renew the entire electrical installation in older buildings, newly installed or modified system components, such as technical extensions re-lating to renewable energies, must comply with the applicable safety and technical stand-ards. The relevant standards for the installation of an earthing system are DIN VDE AR-N 4100 and DIN 18014.The D18014 earth rod set from DEHN contains all the necessary components for the profes-sional installation of earth rods and is particularly suitable for new buildings and existing buildings with limited soil or minimal excavation possibilities. Whatever the season, the earth rod solution ensures and maintains stable earth resistance regardless of weather con-ditions or soil moisture. The set meets all relevant standards by complying with the re-quirements of DIN 18014 and the applicable VDE specifications. Its versatility makes it suit-able for a variety of applications, including partial renovations, selective upgrades, installa-tion inside the building or a complete renewal of the earthing system.The set consists of five earth rods, each 1 metre long, to be inserted into the ground. A driv-ing spike makes it easier to drive in the rods. The earth rods are connected to the connecting cable (round wire 8-10 mm or cable 16-50 mm2) without a cable lug using a connection clamp. This establishes a secure connection between the earthing system and the main earthing busbar (MEB) of the electrical installation. For buildings with a foundation area of up to 200 m², two sets are required to meet the normative requirements. Installation in-volves minimal disruption of existing outdoor facilities. Only two small excavation sites and wall bushings are necessary.Technical details can be found here.
07.10.2025
Hard as steel: The new connection clamp from DEHN
Integrating steel girders, metal sheets, or profiles into lightning protection or equipotential bonding systems often presents a challenge. This is particularly true when protective coatings against corrosion prevent the direct, conductive connection that is essential for effective lightning current discharge or equipotential bonding. The new connection clamp for steel girders from DEHN overcomes this hurdle with a special blade that penetrates coated surfaces up to 0.2 mm without damaging the surface protection. It is therefore particularly suitable for buildings with metallic structures, such as industrial plants, halls, and multi-storey car parks.The clamp is made of high-quality materials and can be used wherever an electrical connection to steel girders, sheets, and profiles is required. With a variable clamping range of 3 to 52 mm, it offers maximum flexibility during installation. The product is approved for use in Zone 2/22 hazardous areas and has a high lightning current carrying capability of up to 100 kA (10/350 μs). It fulfils the requirements of the DIN EN 62561-1 standard and provides a permanently safe, electrically conductive connection even under high loads during a lightning strike.The clamp is available in various designs and materials, both in stainless steel (V2A) and galvanised steel (HDG), with a double clamp or connection bracket. Suitable for round and flat material as well as cables, it is extremely versatile. Typical applications include lightning equipotential bonding with round wire, the installation of air-termination rods without drilling, or the connection of steel girders to earthing systems using connection lugs. The special 7-segment digits also allow use as a test joint, an additional advantage when it comes to testing or maintenance.
18.06.2025
Greater manufacturing capacity for European markets: DEHN breaks ground for production in Romania
Global electrification is the main driver of business for the family-owned company DEHN. The expansion of renewable energies, the growing share of electric vehicles, the necessary infrastructure, data centres and much more require products and solutions from the specialist for lightning protection, surge protection and safety equipment. The new production site in Piteşti, Romania, expands capacities for customers in Europe. The plant fits seamlessly into the company's existing global production network. "Piteşti gives us the flexibility we need to supply our customers in Europe even better," says Dr Philipp Dehn, CEO DEHN SE. "The plant underscores our internationalisation efforts and creates future-proof jobs in the greater Bucharest area."Open configuration optionsTo meet the anticipated global market demand, the company recently opened additional production sites in Mühlhausen (Germany) and Mooresville (North Carolina, USA). As the existing capacities in Germany will soon reach their limits, DEHN is now pushing ahead with the construction of an additional production facility for the European markets. After an intensive search for a location, during which several cities and regions throughout Europe were evaluated, the decision fell in favour of Piteşti, located north-west of the Romanian capital Bucharest. The combination of a well-trained workforce, very good local conditions and sufficient space for the construction project were the key arguments in favour of the new site in the CTPark Piteşti. DEHN plans to invest around 10 million euros in this Eastern European plant over the coming years. While the production sites in Neumarkt and Mühlhausen will primarily focus on high-volume products and highly automated processes in future, the focus in Romania will be on customised surge protection products in smaller quantities that require a high level of manual production.The ground-breaking ceremony marks the start of an approximately 10-month construction phase. Start of production with up to 150 employees is scheduled for mid-2026.
19.03.2025
DEHN joins the Open Direct Current Alliance
DC technology plays a key role in the modern energy landscape. Whether photovoltaics, battery storage systems or charging stations, DEHN has been dealing with the protection of DC systems for a long time. DEHN's involvement in the Open Direct Current Alliance therefore marks a further milestone in the lightning and surge protection specialist's endeavour to shape the future of the electrical industry with innovative and sustainable solutions. DEHN has already successfully participated in the DC-INDUSTRIE research project, which investigated the advantages and potential of DC technologies in industrial applications.‘Our membership of the Open DC Alliance once again symbolises our commitment to promoting sustainable and innovative energy solutions,’ said Christian Höhler, CTO of DEHN SE. ‘We look forward to being at the forefront of DC technology, alongside other industry leaders, and actively shaping the future of energy supply.’The Open DC Alliance is a leading consortium dedicated to promoting and standardising DC technologies. As a member of the Alliance, DEHN can contribute to the development and implementation of future-oriented DC solutions that improve the efficiency and environmental impact of the energy supply. DC technologies offer significant environmental benefits. They reduce energy losses and increase energy efficiency which, in turn, reduces CO₂ emissions and allows a more sustainable use of resources.Renewable energies, like photovoltaic systems, and storage systems, such as fuel cells, can be integrated much more efficiently into a DC grid. That is why direct current is an essential component for the success of the energy transition. The two DC INDUSTRIE research projects reveal that energy consumption in existing systems can be reduced by up to ten per cent. Another benefit is the reduced need for copper in conductors. While conductors with four to five wires are required for alternating voltage, one to two wires less are needed for direct voltage. This represents a copper saving of more than 40 per cent.For many years, DEHN has been committed to protecting DC systems and offers customised protection solutions. The company has a DC test field where surges and DC networks can be simulated. The specific source characteristics of PV systems can also be reproduced there.The company was particularly active in the forerunner project DC-INDUSTRIE and was able to gain valuable insights and experience. These are channelled into pilot projects dealing with DC grids in industrial applications and buildings. DEHN supplies, for example, DC surge arresters for local public transport systems and special surge protection solutions for photovoltaic systems.Further information on DEHN’s DC range or sustainability efforts (sustainability | DEHN) can be found on our website DEHN - lightning protection, surge protection, safety equipment.
22.01.2025
DEHNcharge: Customised surge protection for battery storage systems – essential for the future of energy supply
DEHN, the leading provider of lightning and surge protection solutions, presents DEHNcharge T1 BATT 1500 FM, a combined arrester for battery storage systems up to 1,500 V DC. Large-scale battery storage systems play a key role in the modern energy landscape. They enable the efficient storage and supply of energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar energy. To ensure the reliability and longevity of these storage technologies, effective protection against overvoltages is essential. Lightning strikes or switching operations in the grid cause surges that can damage sensitive electronic components in storage systems. Appropriate protective measures are therefore crucial to avoid failures and high repair costs. Sophisticated surge protection safeguards your investment in storage technology and contributes to the stability of the power grid.DEHNcharge T1 BATT 1500 FM is a DC surge protective device for battery storage systems up to 1,500 V DC. The product complies with EN 61643-11 and is classified as a Type 1+2 arrester. The maximum continuous voltage is 1,500 V DC. The lightning impulse current per pole is 5 kA. The protective device can withstand a short-circuit current of up to 100 kArms (ISCCR) if a maximum backup fuse is used.The prewired Type 1 + Type 2 combined arrester for large DC battery storage systems is characterised by the tried-and-tested, fault-resistant Y circuit. At just four standard DIN modules, the design of the enclosure is compact. It can be seamlessly integrated into systems up to 1,500 V DC.The DEHNcharge has a maximum protection level of ≤3 kV. It can be used with a prospective short-circuit current of up to 100 kA. This surge arrester is therefore able to work reliably even with very high short-circuit currents, which significantly increases the safety and longevity of the battery storage system.A function and fault indicator is provided by a green-red marking in the inspection window, which makes the current status of the device visible at a glance.You can find the technical details here.
25.10.2024
On course for a sustainable future – DEHN publishes its first Sustainability Report
DEHN is embarking on a transformation, focusing strongly on ESG principles and aiming to set new standards for protecting humanity, the environment and companies. The family-owned company explains with its Sustainability Report how it is embracing the energy revolution and decarbonisation while encouraging customers and partners to do the same, with efficient energy management and use of renewable energy sources at the heart of the company’s strategy. As Dr Philipp Dehn, CEO of DEHN SE, says: “Sustainability is a marathon, not a sprint. We’ve been proving we have the stamina since 1910”.From 2025/26, DEHN will be required to comply with the EU’s sustainability reporting obligations. The company is getting ahead of the game now by voluntarily publishing its first Sustainability Report to create transparency for customers and employees. The report shows the current status and the planned measures for greater sustainability. In the 2023/2024 reporting period, DEHN developed a comprehensive sustainability strategy and decided on a sustainable and cooperative approach to tackle the four central areas of action identified. DEHN believes in forward-thinking partnerships based on trust and shared values, whether in managing the business, acknowledging its obligations as an employer, taking responsibility for products and services or showing commitment to environmental issues. In future years, DEHN will take an even more professional approach to sustainability management, in particular with ESG indicators and objectives. Commitment to and interest in sustainability should be encouraged among the workforce. The foreign subsidiaries will also be actively involved to achieve global consistency and a common understanding of sustainability goals. In-house communication will be intensified to inform and include staff better. The dialogue with partners along the value chain, will also be deepened and expanded, especially on subjects such as the circular economy. Climate protection, in conjunction with advanced energy management, will always be a top priority for DEHN. The company utilises energy from renewable sources with PV systems at the sites in Neumarkt and Mühlhausen as well as a combined heat and power station. DEHN obtains the rest of the energy required in the form of climate-neutral green electricity and green gas. The rapid pace of technological, economic and environmental change demands continuous learning and development of new skills. True to the motto “lifelong learning”, DEHN is committed to long-term personnel development. Future updates will explain both the progress made and the stumbling blocks encountered – our first 2023/24 Sustainability Report can be viewed here.
19.02.2024
DEHN at Light + Building 2024: Protection – Space – Future
More frequent extreme weather events and increasingly interconnected electronic devices pose a greater risk of damage due to lightning strikes and surges. Appropriate protective measures in compliance with current standards and regulations are required to protect people, buildings, systems, as well as modern energy generation and storage. From 3 to 8 March 2024, DEHN can be found at stand B90 in hall 12.0 where it will be presenting solutions for the new DIN 18014 as well as technologies and products for electrical engineering, home and building automation and safety technology. DEHN will be showcasing protection solutions for industry, PV systems and residential buildings, including refurbishment, renovation and modernisation.Open configuration options"One of the key challenges in the coming years will be making buildings and systems more efficient and future-proof” says Boris Wolff, CSO of DEHN SE. "The expansion of renewable energies and their infrastructures will play a crucial role here. The importance of PV systems, energy storage and control as well as system integration as part of building technology is therefore increasing. In this context, solutions and products for lightning and surge protection, and safety equipment are essential when it comes to availability, protection of systems and installations and the safety of operating and maintenance personnel.”Light + Building is the world's leading trade fair for lighting and building technology. One focus is on modern electrical installations which are not only convenient, efficient and safe, but also meet the requirements of climate protection and the energy transition. A vital aspect of modern electrical installations is lightning and surge protection.New technologies, such as ACI (Advanced Circuit Interruption), set the course for the future. Renewable energy generation is creating new grid parameters: island networks or storage systems are changing the short-circuit conditions. This is one issue that the new ACI technology already has under control.The advancement of construction technology is ongoing. This means that earth-termination systems, an essential part of any electrical installation, must also be updated and adapted. This development is reflected in the revised DIN 18014 standard and DEHN will be presenting relevant products, protection solutions and services at the trade fair.In cooperation with other companies in the ZVEI (Electro and Digital Industry Association), DEHN will be demonstrating how a Digital Product Passport (DPP) can help achieve transparency, reduce CO2, and increase competitiveness.You will find DEHN at stand B90 in hall 12.0.