A Total Systems Approach to Electrical Grounding May Save Millions of Dollars
Lightning storms occur on average 130 days a year in Florida’s “Lightning Alley,” making this area one of the most dangerous in the United States with respect to weather- related incidents.
It is not true that lightning never strikes the same place twice. Communications towers in this area are prone to being hit during any major thunderstorm. If not properly equipped, this regular lightning activity can cause millions of dollars in damage.
奥兰治县, Florida, is in the heart of the Alley, and it sees more than its fair share of damaged buildings, disrupted power lines, fires and, unfortunately, injuries caused by lightning strikes.
As the former supervisor of radio services at Orange County’s Public Safety Communications Division, Tom Sorely was responsible for keeping its 820,000 residents safe. It was his job to make sure that the communications lines remained open 24-7, however this task wasn’t always easy when overseeing 9 tower sites and 10 emergency response centers in the county.
“We’re in the most lightning-prone area of the country,” Sorely said. “Our antennas are at the top of 300-ft lightning rods!“
Sorley explained that one or two strikes per month on a large tower were routine between the months of May and October.
“They don’t all do damage. But we have lost our entire network at times and every public service agency is in jeopardy when that happens,” he said. “Lightning strikes can be costly!“
过去的 10 岁月, 雷击已造成近 $2 发射机和其他丢失设备损失达 100 万美元.
大卫·布兰德, 铜发展协会电气项目国家项目经理, 敦促所有建筑业主和设施管理人员检查其电气接地系统，并在评估防雷保护时采用“全面系统方法”.
“适当位置的雷击可能会严重损害任何设施, 留下丢失的设备和损坏的电子设备,”布伦德说. “受益于铜固有导电特性的防雷系统可能为建筑物提供避免这种不可预测的损害的最佳机会。”
本质上, 防雷是创建电阻最小的电气路径的过程，以便将雷击直接击中地面并远离可能造成损坏的地方.
索利解释说，这些设施的接地系统在建造时符合电气规范, 但它们并非都是由同一承包商设计的, 最终导致了问题.
“没有任何个人或承包商将接地理解为一个整体系统,”索利说. “接地及其维护只是每个人都认为理所当然的事情. 我们现在拥有的是一种全面的系统防雷方法。”
“整体系统方法”从材料开始. 铜径向, 盘子, 电极, 导体和接线对于防雷系统的成功都是不可或缺的. 耐腐蚀, 可靠性和卓越的导电性使铜成为坚固接地系统的理想金属.
CDA 建议建筑和设施管理人员采取必要措施，保护其财产免受雷击损坏. 采用铜接地的“整体系统方法”将为那些需要接地的领域提供最佳支持。 闪电确实击中两次.
源 : 铜发展协会有限公司