Lightning can cause complete destruction to structures and buildings that they strike because they carry thousands of ohms of current. The huge amount of current discharged when a strike occurs destroys buildings and plants. It can also injure and kill human beings and animals. To avoid these effects, protection systems have been designed for installation on buildings. The installation is done at the highest point on the building. The system them runs along the height of the structure all the way into the ground. This is worth knowing about 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 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 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.
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.
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 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 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.
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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