Lightning Protection

Protection against lightning comes in a few distinct forms, generally recognized as lightning rods and surge protection devices. The lightning rod is a very simple concept, that lightning is drawn away from structures that have value and to a controlled place where it can be grounded. This is done by using a metal rod that is placed in a position that is higher than the surrounding structures. Surge protection devices are more complicated, functioning as a stop gap once a power surge is detected, thus not allowing that electricity to flow past it to the point of contact with equipment that may be damaged. Due to the fact that computerized equipment cannot withstand more than a specific electrical flow level without having the circuitry damaged, the only valid method of protection is to completely cut the flow of that electricity if it goes over a certain safe level. This is done by the surge protection device being set to instantly create a gap in flow if any excess is detected, which will shut systems down in order to protect them. While the system components are protected from damage, the system itself enters a state where it is no longer producing or functioning until restoration of the gap is established.

Modern surge protection devices have greater ability to both withstand the damage caused by the surge themselves as well as keeping systems online after a surge incident happens. This is accomplished through the technological aspects of the devices themselves, essentially using more evolved technology than a simple gapping system. Because they are no longer mechanical in this fashion, they themselves do not need to be reset the way they once did, and instead will return to their functional state once the excess electrical flow has ceased. This evolution allows us to both protect investment in the field while also keeping systems functioning longer. With regards to systems like telecommunications where system outages can create communication difficulties during emergency situations and power production where uptime is the deciding factor between profitability and losses, the introduction and installation of the most advanced surge protection systems available is moving the world forward. Through more evolved surge protection, we are able to increase productivity in nearly any industry that is exposed to electrical surges, as well as keeping critical systems functioning that we rely upon every day.

Surge protection devices are not the simple surge strips that you have in your home any more, and are now technological wonders in their own right. In many cases, the surge protection device itself may be as technologically advanced as the equipment it is protecting.