Re: Won't strike twice.
- From: "w_tom" <w_tom1@xxxxxxx>
- Date: 11 Jun 2006 16:33:00 -0700
Protection from lightning was routine 50 years ago where humans
learned basic concepts. Why does a $multi-million telephone company
computer, connected to overhead wires everywhere in town, not shutdown
for every thunderstorm? Why do commercial radio and TV broadcasters
atop the Empire State Building suffer typically 25 direct lightning
strikes and continue operation uninterrupted? Because protection from
direct lighting strikes is well understood and routinely avoided.
Since many suffer damage using grossly undersized plug-in protectors,
so we have myths about protection not possible. Instead we consult
testimony from professionals:
http://www.harvardrepeater.org/news/lightning.html
Well I assert, from personal and broadcast experience spanning
30 years, that you can design a system that will handle *direct
lightning strikes* on a routine basis. It takes some planning and
careful layout, but it's not hard, nor is it overly expensive. At
WXIA-TV, my other job, we take direct lightning strikes nearly
every time there's a thunderstorm. Our downtime from such
strikes is almost non-existant. The last time we went down from
a strike, it was due to a strike on the power company's lines
knocking *them* out, ...
Since my disasterous strike, I've been campaigning vigorously
to educate amateurs that you *can* avoid damage from direct
strikes. The belief that there's no protection from direct strike
damage is *myth*. ...
The keys to effective lightning protection are surprisingly
simple, and surprisingly less than obvious. Of course you
*must* have a single point ground system that eliminates all
ground loops. And you must present a low *impedance* path
for the energy to go. That's most generally a low *inductance*
path rather than just a low ohm DC path.
Some pray. Others learn well proven science. If you suffer damage,
then learn where your earthing is insufficient or where wires enter the
building without first a short connection that that earthing - either
by direct wire or via a 'whole house' type protector.
Protection from direct lightning strikes is so routine as to be
considered human failure. If damage occurs, the human should learn
from and correct that human created mistake. Earthing is so essential
to effective transistor protection that Ufer grounds are routinely
installed in new buildings with effective protection. How did an
Orange County FL stop suffering damage from lightning? They repaired
defective earthing:
http://www.psihq.com/AllCopper.htm
Protection from direct lightning strikes is routine when the human
learns about and installs effective earthing. Taht also means every
incoming utility wire in every cable should make a 'less than 10 foot'
connection to earth. A concept originally demonstrated by Ben Franklin
in 1752.
H. Seldon wrote:
If you can find a fool-proof method of lightning protection, let me know.
Lightning is one of the least understood phenomona in the world of
electricity. Be assured however that it *will* find the shortest path to
ground no matter how much it has to destroy in order to get there. One of
the most commonly used devices used for 'non-direct' hits is the MOV
(Metal Oxide Varistor). I normally use the 130 Volt units for computers.
These serve well for voltage spikes on the AC line.
When dealing with lightning however, the best protection I can suggest is
the crossing of the fingers and a short prayer. Just in case.
.
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