Copyright 2009 Omega Power Systems, Inc. May not be copied or reproduced without express written permission.
Grounding and Bonding is fundamental. However, Surge Suppression is THE most important building block for equipment protection.
Structural Lightning Protection (lightning rods) is designed to prevent fire but NOT electrical and electronic equipment damage.
Why does the plane not crash? The metal 'skin' acts like a Faraday cage...conducting the lightning around the outside of the plane...
NFPA 780 lightning rod systems attempt to create a 'Faraday Cage' around a typical structure. There are many performance and cost limitations with this system...
Mast based lightning rods have become more popular in recent years. Cost and performance is usually better, but electrical equipment remains at risk...
The real issue with lightning is equipment loss. Failures are usually a combination of poor bonding and inadaquate suppression...
Isolated grounding of telephone, fire, security, etc... will significantly increase equipment loss as the connecting wires become 'bonding jumpers'...
Improper bonding combined with the lack of adaquate suppression will create destructive voltages at critical equipment...
Testing is fundamental. Note the 54 ohm reading and the dead phone suppressors in the bottom of the cabinet.
Proper bonding of all services is critical. Phones, power, and structural lightning protection must be bonded together to be effective...
Surge Protection will help equalize voltage potential.... The combination of surge and bonding is the best way to prevent equipment losses...
Choosing the right suppressor depends on the energy exposure level and the final coordination of protection equipment...
Effective coordination of communications and power suppression is critical. Point of use protection is just as important as service entrance protection...
Since 1991, IEEE (Emerald Book) has recommended 'layers' of protection on the power distribution. The closer to the load the SPD is located, the better...
Multiple buildings sharing the same power and communications systems require coordinated suppression as close to the loads as possible...
Remote sensors and equipment require both power and signal protection as close as possible to the load...
The power and signal wires connecting the controller to the remote sensors and equipment must also be protected at the controller...
26 buildings all connected together by 4000 pairs of phones. Here is the ultimate 'backdoor' phone protection system. Note the bonding....
From light bulbs to motors and circuit boards, proper suppression will protect from lightning damage AND dramatically reduce overall maintenance costs...
Copyright 2009 Omega Power Systems, Inc. May not be copied or reproduced without express written permission.