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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.
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.
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.
Air terminals lead to ground rods through connecting cables. Installation of ground rods is done ten feet into the ground. The system is grounded to the ground of the plumbing or circuit box of the building. The entire electric system is covered by surge suppressors linked to circuit breakers. Surge suppressors may be placed at individual appliances in the house.
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.
These systems are usually installed on all kinds of buildings and structures. Examples of structures on which they are installed on include boats, trees, businesses, farm buildings, homes, aircraft, and water tanks among others. The standards observed in the design and installation of these systems come from three main organizations. These organizations are LPI, NFPA, and UL.
Electric current from strikes follows a designated path until it reaches the ground. The current will follow through any available conductor in case a designated path is not present. Water pipes, rooftops, phone cables, gas pipes and electrical lines are some of the conductors through which the current can flow. Before reaching the ground, the current can follow through one or multiple paths.
Sometimes side flashes may occur so that the current can reach a better grounded conductor on the same house or surrounding homes and structures. As this happens, the current can ignite fuel in their way to cause fires. For instance, they may ignite materials such as gasoline, wood, and paper. Electric wires can be vaporized by the huge current, causing a serious electrical problem.
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.
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.
Air terminals lead to ground rods through connecting cables. Installation of ground rods is done ten feet into the ground. The system is grounded to the ground of the plumbing or circuit box of the building. The entire electric system is covered by surge suppressors linked to circuit breakers. Surge suppressors may be placed at individual appliances in the house.
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.
These systems are usually installed on all kinds of buildings and structures. Examples of structures on which they are installed on include boats, trees, businesses, farm buildings, homes, aircraft, and water tanks among others. The standards observed in the design and installation of these systems come from three main organizations. These organizations are LPI, NFPA, and UL.
Electric current from strikes follows a designated path until it reaches the ground. The current will follow through any available conductor in case a designated path is not present. Water pipes, rooftops, phone cables, gas pipes and electrical lines are some of the conductors through which the current can flow. Before reaching the ground, the current can follow through one or multiple paths.
Sometimes side flashes may occur so that the current can reach a better grounded conductor on the same house or surrounding homes and structures. As this happens, the current can ignite fuel in their way to cause fires. For instance, they may ignite materials such as gasoline, wood, and paper. Electric wires can be vaporized by the huge current, causing a serious electrical problem.
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