Some people do not realize this, but photovoltaic arrays are particularly susceptible to lightning strikes because they are generally constructed in large, open, unobstructed locations. Damage can be caused by many different types of lightning strike, whether direct discharges to the PV array, nearby strikes to the earth, or cloud to cloud discharges. They can cause anywhere from extreme damage with visible carbonization of the system components to effects on the electrical system by long term exposure to repeated high transient voltages that can include premature component failure as well as loss of generation revenue.

While you cannot move the PV systems to an area that is less exposed, there are ways to protect it from the elements. Lightning protection systems can provide a protective zone against direct strikes by using air terminals, down conductors, equipotential bonding, separation distances and a low-impedance grounding electrode system. Single air terminals can offer a cone of protection based on the height of the air terminal, and using several of these and the rolling-sphere model for lightning protection, you can create zones of protection from lightning strikes. As a secondary measure, surge protective devices, or SPDs, may be used when installed in conjunction with LPS. They can be installed at key locations in order to protect main components of the PV system, such as inverters, arrays, equipment in combiner boxes, measurement and control equipment, instrumentation systems, and communication systems. The strategic placement of SPDs can help prevent the damage by either shorting or clamping the voltage, minimizing it.

Dehn offers many different systems with surge protection that can help protect Electrical PV systems from both direct strikes as well as inter- and intra- cloud flashes. You can learn more about these in our whitepaper, “Protecting Electrical PV Systems from the Effects of Lightning”.

While antennas for television, sound systems, or other interactive services do not necessarily increase the probability of lightning strikes, it is important that they are installed up to standard to keep them safe. The standard that is important when considering antennas deals with the safety requirements for stationary systems and devices as well as some mobile or temporary systems, like those in campers or recreational vehicles.

As a rule, antennas should not be installed on buildings that have easily inflammable roofing materials, such as thatching or similar materials. Antennas and their earthing conductors must also not lead through sections of rooms where easily inflammable material is stored, as there could be a risk of explosion in these cases. Protective earthing conductors that are used in conjunction with the antenna can be additions to the house or building, like solid wire having a minimum cross section of 16 mm2 of insulator or bare copper, or of insulated 22mm2 aluminum or 50 mm2 aluminum wrought alloy or of steel 50 mm2. If you do not wish to add an additional earthing conductor, natural elements of the building can be used. For example, these can include: the metal frame of the building or structure, the interconnected reinforcement steel of the building, as well as facades, railings, and substructures of metal facades provided that their dimensions meet the requirements of down-conductor systems and their thickness is more than 0.5 mm, and that their electrical conductivity in a vertical direction is ensured.

These earthing conductors are connected to the earth-termination center, which has to have a connection with external lightning protection system of the building or structure as well as connection with the earth termination system of the building or structure, and connection with at least two horizontal earth electrodes.

Once external protection is properly implemented, installation of appropriate Surge Protection Devices (SPD’s) needs to be accomplished on the critical electrical interfaces. DEHN carries a complete line of solutions for these power applications.

To learn more about the specifications for these systems as well as the variety of items that can and cannot be used, you can download the chapter of our book, Lightning Protection Guide, entitled “9.5 Lightning and surge protection for cable networks and antennas for TV, sound signals, and interactive devices” here: Lightning Protection Guide.

Many buildings and businesses feature outdoor lighting. While this helps to make the location a safe environment in the evenings and at night, tall light poles and other outdoor lighting can actual be a serious attractor for lightning strikes or electrical surges.

There are various levels of protection from surge and lightning protection when it comes to outdoor lighting systems. First and foremost, the amount of protection depends on which lightning protection zone the lights are located in: LPZ 0A or LPZ 0B. Lighting in LPZ 0A is subject to direct lightning strikes, impulse currents up to the whole lightning current and of the whole field of the lightning flash. Lamp poles in this zone have to be interconnected underground as well as connected to the earth electrodes of the building or structure via permissible earthing conductors. There are a variety of recommended materials for this as well as very specific dimensions and cross sections that can be used effectively. The most common materials used are copper, steel, and stainless steel. Outdoor lighting in this zone is also protected by Type 1 lightning current arrestors, which have to be installed at the entrance to the building or structure.

In LPZ 0B there is more protection, as outdoor lighting is protected against direct current strikes. Despite this, it is still subject to impulse currents up to partial lightning currents as well as the whole field of lightning. Any and all outdoor lighting in this lightning protection zones are protected by surge protective devices Type 2, which, like Type 1, are installed at the entrance to the building or structure.

To learn more about how to protect your outdoor lights from lightning and electrical surges as well as view diagrams of the lightning surge protection described above, you can download our entire section entitled “Lightning and Surge Protection for Outdoor Lightning Systems” from our Lightning Protection Guide.

DEHN’s parent plant received national attention in Germany when a piece was done on the plant by Deutsche Welle, German’s international broadcaster that provides a European perspective to a global audience and promotes international dialogue through the television, radio, and online content it produces. The piece, entitled “The Business of Lightning Protection” has been featured on Deutsche Welle’s YouTube channel, and gives its viewers an idea of what DEHN is really about.

The four minute video unfolds the story of the DEHN family business, which has over the years grown from just ten to more than 1,000 employees. There are important values instilled in the company, as they would invest money when they could and did not take unnecessary risks, allowing them to stay open and keep moving ahead steadily even in trying economic times. Although the company prides itself on not taking unnecessary risks, that isn’t to say no risks are taken at all – they are still highly innovative, with a tenth of their staff devoted to research and development in the field.

It is clear for anyone who visits the DEHN property that they are trying their best to create new and innovative products that will help protect you and your business when it comes to lightning damage issues. The DEHN factory, located in Neumarkt, Germany, offers tours of the premises in which you can view lightning simulations and see just how their products are used in protection and damage prevention. You can also tour the research labs and see how DEHN is implementing technological advances to help the factory run more proficiently with solar energy, like the recent addition of photovoltaic solar cell panels on the roof of the building. You’ll also notice that despite growing in size, DEHN has managed to keep to its roots, as the entire research and production departments are all housed under one roof, and the company plans to keep it that way.

But don’t take our word for it. Watch the video here and see what DEHN has to offer in their business:

The DEHN factories located in Neumarkt, Germany, are absolutely fascinating, and offer tours to the public that want to learn more about the products made to protect from lightning and power surges there. But if you are one of the many DEHN customers from outside of the country (as half of the products made in this location are sold abroad) then it may be difficult to actually get to the factory to see it in person. But never fear – there is an online tour available via YouTube so you can see the processes performed at the DEHN homebase.

With more than 100 years of protection and safety experience, DEHN is a world leader in lightning safety and surge protection. DEHN prides itself on practicality, but still works to translate ideas to solutions with new and improved innovations coming out of their research and development offices on a regular basis. The research and development team consists of more than 70 employees, nearly 10 percent of DEHN’s employed staff. The tour leads you from their offices, where new and customized products are designed on state of the art computers, to their highly specialized labs where the new ideas can be tested and retested with simulated lightning until they reach perfection.

Asset Management for water treatment plants and water systems often overlook the protection of the installed costly equipment and systems. By nature of the design, these expensive systems are built in open, unprotected areas exposed to lightning events. If not direct, indirect effects of lightning can be felt up to 2 miles away from the strike location. Therefore, treatment plant pumps, contactors, SCADA systems and the like are all exposed to the damaging effects of lightning. Well sites, lift & pump stations also are often located in highly exposed areas.

Dehn offers exceptional, cost-effective protection products for these very systems. Specializing in protecting well sites, lift stations, WWTP, and pump stations, Dehn SPD/TVSS products like the Blitzductor product line offer protection for all automation & control signals, industrial Ethernet, mA loop, Profibus, etc… For AC power protection, Dehn’s Red Line products offer unparalleled, proprietary, patented technology for its Class 1 lightning arresters. When coupled together with its Class 2 surge arresters, Dehn Red Line products protect electrical equipment like pumps, VSDs, contactors, and soft starters from direct and indirect effects from lightning strikes.

Dehn products are UL recognized under ANSI/UL 1449-3rd edition and UL-497. With 100 years of research and development along with more than 65 international patents, Dehn products offer the most cost-effective solutions to lightning & surge related problems for municipality water and waste water systems. Extending equipment life, preventing service disruption, and efficient asset management are possible, to be sure use Dehn.

DEHN, the global leader in lightning and surge protection, will be showcasing the Bliztductor line of lightning and surge protection for protecting analog and digital signal control loops for your scada and DCS systems. Solutions for protecting AC and DC power, industrial ethernet, and RF communications will also be displayed.

Stop by booth 2702 at the Tampa Convention Center, March 23-25, 2010 and visit the team of DEHN Inc.

For further information, please visit: http://www.distributech.com

Labels: DistribuTech, lightning and surge protection, scada