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.
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 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.
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.
Any kind of building or structure can have the arresters. Homes, aircraft, trees, boats, water tanks, businesses and farm buildings are some of the structures where these systems are installed. There are three main organizations responsible for setting standards that have to be observed when designing and installing these systems. NFPA, UL and LPI are the three organizations.
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.
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 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.
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.
Any kind of building or structure can have the arresters. Homes, aircraft, trees, boats, water tanks, businesses and farm buildings are some of the structures where these systems are installed. There are three main organizations responsible for setting standards that have to be observed when designing and installing these systems. NFPA, UL and LPI are the three organizations.
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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