Lightning can cause complete destruction to structures and buildings that they strike because they carry thousands of ohms of current. The huge amount of current discharged when a strike occurs destroys buildings and plants. It can also injure and kill human beings and animals. To avoid these effects, protection systems have been designed for installation on buildings. The installation is done at the highest point on the building. The system them runs along the height of the structure all the way into the ground. This is worth knowing about Oilfield lightning protection.
A typical system appears like a metal rod pointing into the sky. The rod offers lightning a path of least resistance for current to flow through. This is the whole basis of lightning protection systems. There are four parts contained on a typical system, that is, copper clad ground rod, copper cable, surge suppressor, and copper air terminals.
Copper is the most preferred material used to make these systems because it is offers the highest level of electrical conductivity. It is however possible for other materials to be used too. In fact, there are cases where aluminum must be used to build the system. Air terminals are the protrusions that can be seen on structures installed with these systems. Air terminals act as discharge for the current from a strike.
Air terminals are connected through a cable that leads to ground rods. Grounds are buried 10 feet below the ground surface. The grounding of the system is done to the existing ground of the circuit box and water pipes. Surge suppressors are usually connected to the circuit breaker box so that they can cover the whole electric system. They are sometimes placed at individual electronics or appliances to protect them from current surges.
The major part of the system is hidden sight by most installers. The terminals are the only parts that are visible since they have to protrude into the air. The color of the copper cable turns from conspicuous orange to dull patina as the cable weathers over time.
All kinds of buildings and structures can be installed with these systems. Boats, businesses, farm buildings, aircraft, homes, water tanks, and trees are examples of structures installed with arresters. There are certain standards in place that govern the design and installation of these systems. The standards are set by three organizations in the US, that is, LPI, UL, and NFPA.
The work of arresters is to ensure that the current that comes from strikes find a safe path into the ground. The current will go through any conductor in their path if arresters are not present. Examples of conductors that provide a good path for the current include gas pipes, rooftops, water pipes, phone cables, and electrical lines. The current travels through one or multiple conductors.
Side flashes sometimes occur where the current spreads to other parts of the same house or neighboring houses to reach a conductor that is better grounded. The occurrence of side flashes can ignite any fuel they come across to cause fires. Materials such as paper, wood, and gasoline can be ignited easily. Electrical problems can also be caused by the vaporization of electric wires by the big current flow.
A typical system appears like a metal rod pointing into the sky. The rod offers lightning a path of least resistance for current to flow through. This is the whole basis of lightning protection systems. There are four parts contained on a typical system, that is, copper clad ground rod, copper cable, surge suppressor, and copper air terminals.
Copper is the most preferred material used to make these systems because it is offers the highest level of electrical conductivity. It is however possible for other materials to be used too. In fact, there are cases where aluminum must be used to build the system. Air terminals are the protrusions that can be seen on structures installed with these systems. Air terminals act as discharge for the current from a strike.
Air terminals are connected through a cable that leads to ground rods. Grounds are buried 10 feet below the ground surface. The grounding of the system is done to the existing ground of the circuit box and water pipes. Surge suppressors are usually connected to the circuit breaker box so that they can cover the whole electric system. They are sometimes placed at individual electronics or appliances to protect them from current surges.
The major part of the system is hidden sight by most installers. The terminals are the only parts that are visible since they have to protrude into the air. The color of the copper cable turns from conspicuous orange to dull patina as the cable weathers over time.
All kinds of buildings and structures can be installed with these systems. Boats, businesses, farm buildings, aircraft, homes, water tanks, and trees are examples of structures installed with arresters. There are certain standards in place that govern the design and installation of these systems. The standards are set by three organizations in the US, that is, LPI, UL, and NFPA.
The work of arresters is to ensure that the current that comes from strikes find a safe path into the ground. The current will go through any conductor in their path if arresters are not present. Examples of conductors that provide a good path for the current include gas pipes, rooftops, water pipes, phone cables, and electrical lines. The current travels through one or multiple conductors.
Side flashes sometimes occur where the current spreads to other parts of the same house or neighboring houses to reach a conductor that is better grounded. The occurrence of side flashes can ignite any fuel they come across to cause fires. Materials such as paper, wood, and gasoline can be ignited easily. Electrical problems can also be caused by the vaporization of electric wires by the big current flow.
About the Author:
Get fantastic tips on how to choose a supplier of oilfield lightning protection products and more info about a reputable supplier at http://www.abshierenergy.com/services right now.
No comments:
Post a Comment