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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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