LIGHTNING ROD OR PROTECTION

jasushaw

I am installing sentive GPS equipment on some houses and the company is looking for lightning protection.

Just wondering does anyone know anywhere that sells lightning rods or has any info

Thanks

2011

jasushaw wrote: »

I am installing sentive GPS equipment on some houses and the company is looking for lightning protection.

Just wondering does anyone know anywhere that sells lightning rods or has any info

Thanks

Lighting protection starts with a design which is driven by many factors. You don’t buy a lightning protection system. Besides the best protection system in the world won’t ensure any electronic equipment that receives a strike survives.

jasushaw

2011 wrote: »

Lighting protection starts with a design which is driven by many factors. You don’t buy a lightning protection system. Besides the best protection system in the world won’t ensure any electronic equipment that receives a strike survives.

Yeah but they just want some protection. They had been Just earthing the frame of the antenna but we were thinking of just mounting a rod and running a 16sq down to another earth rod in the ground but can't seem to find a rod for the roof

2011

jasushaw wrote: »

Yeah but they just want some protection. They had been Just earthing the frame of the antenna but we were thinking of just mounting a rod and running a 16sq down to another earth rod in the ground but can't seem to find a rod for the roof

That won’t achieve anything.

2011

At least use 50 x 3mm tape for the down conductors.
I imagine that you can buy air terminations and the rest of the kit in Kellighers.

jasushaw

Thanks for the helpful info ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘

Victor

jasushaw wrote: »

Yeah but they just want some protection.

Do they have a standard or some other definable requirement?

Are there antennae present that will act as a lightning point?

jasushaw

Victor wrote: »

Do they have a standard or some other definable requirement?

Are there antennae present that will act as a lightning point?

Not really they don't seem to know much about it. They just want to have the antenna on 24/7 and some type of protection from lightning.

The antenna is mounted on a steel bracket and the antenna itself is about 2ft high by 1ft in a dome shape, the outer casing of the antenna is plastic

TheChizler

The manual for the GPS equipment might have some recommendations on lightning protection and arrestors.

Victor

Talk to http://www.raineylightningprotection.ie/

A few points:
* If you have an uncontained lightning strike within a few metres of your equipment, it's quite possible the equipment will just end up as scrap. Having realtime / regular back-up off-site might be useful.
* If the lightning strikes the electricity network, you need suitable surge protection.
* Full lightning protection of your equipment, e.g. Faraday cage just might compromise the GPS or data signals.
* It might be useful to have lightning protection nearby that draws any potential strike away from your equipment - electrical substations in upland areas seem to have masts with lightning rods for this purpose.

jasushaw

Thanks for all the positive replies lads. Appreciate it.

http://rfe.ie

I was onto Reg Farrell engineering. There very helpful and supply a range of lighting protection equipment. Got sorted

Stoner

Good stuff

As 2012 says a risk assessment around the "type" of system you need is a good starting point.

After that surge protection on the distribution board will be critical in addition to the lighting protection equipment.

I assume the guys have advised similarly?

Cerco

Op,
can you tell us what the purpose of the fixed gps equipment or is that commercially sensitive?