Lightning usually carries several thousands of ohms of current in them and in case they strike a building, they can cause total destruction. Besides damaging property by causing fires and other effects, the current can also cause serious loss of human, plant, and animal life. That is why systems have been designed to help protect buildings from lightning strikes. The system is usually installed as the highest point on the building or structure that it is placed on. Here are facts regarding Oilfield lightning protection.
Lightning protection systems look like metal rods that points upwards on buildings. A path with least resistance to flow of electric current is provided by these systems for the lightning to flow through. Protection systems work based on this principle. There are four main parts that make up a typical protection system. Each part performs a specific function. They include surge suppressor, copper air terminals, copper clad ground rod and copper cable.
The fact that copper offers the best electrical conductivity makes it an ideal metal to be used. However, other metals can also be used too. Other systems in fact can only be built using aluminum. The protrusions visible on the building where the system is installed are air terminals. When a strike occurs, the terminals discharge the current.
A cable connects the air terminals to ground rods. The cable runs to ground rods which are normally buried 10 feet deep in the ground. Existing ground of circuit box and plumbing is used to ground the system. A connection is made between the surge suppressor and the circuit breaker box. This is to allow it to cover the entire electric system. Individual appliances and electronics can also be protected from current surges by installing surge suppressors at each appliance.
Most companies do their best to ensure that the system is concealed and unnoticeable to people. The only noticeable part of the system is usually the air terminals that unavoidably have to protrude above the building. The copper cable tends to weather and change color from the conspicuous orange color to a dull patina.
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.
Arresters provide electric current from strikes a designated path to use to reach the ground. In the absence of these designated paths, the current may choose any conductor in their path to pass through. Such conductors include electrical lines, phone cable, gas pipes, water pipes, and even the rooftop. The current may use one of these paths or several paths to reach the ground.
A better grounded conductor in the house or surrounding structures can be sought by the current from the strike if it is available. This can result to fires as the current can ignite fuel on its way. Materials such as wood, gasoline and paper can be ignited easily. The huge current can cause serious electrical problems by vaporizing electrical wires too.
Lightning protection systems look like metal rods that points upwards on buildings. A path with least resistance to flow of electric current is provided by these systems for the lightning to flow through. Protection systems work based on this principle. There are four main parts that make up a typical protection system. Each part performs a specific function. They include surge suppressor, copper air terminals, copper clad ground rod and copper cable.
The fact that copper offers the best electrical conductivity makes it an ideal metal to be used. However, other metals can also be used too. Other systems in fact can only be built using aluminum. The protrusions visible on the building where the system is installed are air terminals. When a strike occurs, the terminals discharge the current.
A cable connects the air terminals to ground rods. The cable runs to ground rods which are normally buried 10 feet deep in the ground. Existing ground of circuit box and plumbing is used to ground the system. A connection is made between the surge suppressor and the circuit breaker box. This is to allow it to cover the entire electric system. Individual appliances and electronics can also be protected from current surges by installing surge suppressors at each appliance.
Most companies do their best to ensure that the system is concealed and unnoticeable to people. The only noticeable part of the system is usually the air terminals that unavoidably have to protrude above the building. The copper cable tends to weather and change color from the conspicuous orange color to a dull patina.
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.
Arresters provide electric current from strikes a designated path to use to reach the ground. In the absence of these designated paths, the current may choose any conductor in their path to pass through. Such conductors include electrical lines, phone cable, gas pipes, water pipes, and even the rooftop. The current may use one of these paths or several paths to reach the ground.
A better grounded conductor in the house or surrounding structures can be sought by the current from the strike if it is available. This can result to fires as the current can ignite fuel on its way. Materials such as wood, gasoline and paper can be ignited easily. The huge current can cause serious electrical problems by vaporizing electrical wires too.
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