Here Is Information On Oilfield Lightning Protection
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.
The systems appear as metal rods that point into the sky. The metal rod provides lightning with the path of least resistance to the flow of electric current. In fact, this is the whole principle on which lightning protection systems are based. A typical system usually contains four major parts, with each serving a specific purpose. These four parts are copper clad ground rod, surge suppressor, copper cable, and copper air terminals.
The systems are preferably made from copper because it has excellent electrical conductivity. Other materials like aluminum can be used too however. The protrusions that are seen above structures installed with these systems are called air terminals. These protrusions provide discharge for current from strikes.
Air terminals are connected through a cable that leads to ground rods. Grounds are buried 10 feet below the ground surface. The grounding of the system is done to the existing ground of the circuit box and water pipes. Surge suppressors are usually connected to the circuit breaker box so that they can cover the whole electric system. They are sometimes placed at individual electronics or appliances to protect them from current surges.
Most installer usually install the system in a way that it is concealed and unnoticeable from people. Only the air terminal is made noticeable because it protrudes above the structure. Even if the conductor is not concealed, it soon becomes unnoticeable when it changes color. Color change occurs from bright orange, which is the color for copper 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.
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.
The systems appear as metal rods that point into the sky. The metal rod provides lightning with the path of least resistance to the flow of electric current. In fact, this is the whole principle on which lightning protection systems are based. A typical system usually contains four major parts, with each serving a specific purpose. These four parts are copper clad ground rod, surge suppressor, copper cable, and copper air terminals.
The systems are preferably made from copper because it has excellent electrical conductivity. Other materials like aluminum can be used too however. The protrusions that are seen above structures installed with these systems are called air terminals. These protrusions provide discharge for current from strikes.
Air terminals are connected through a cable that leads to ground rods. Grounds are buried 10 feet below the ground surface. The grounding of the system is done to the existing ground of the circuit box and water pipes. Surge suppressors are usually connected to the circuit breaker box so that they can cover the whole electric system. They are sometimes placed at individual electronics or appliances to protect them from current surges.
Most installer usually install the system in a way that it is concealed and unnoticeable from people. Only the air terminal is made noticeable because it protrudes above the structure. Even if the conductor is not concealed, it soon becomes unnoticeable when it changes color. Color change occurs from bright orange, which is the color for copper 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.
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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