Electrical Surge Protection: 2020

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Wind Turbine Surge Protection Systems Improve Efficiency

The two most important ways to improve nearly any system is to reduce the cost of operation and increase the capacities of the product being produced. When it comes to power production, we are talking about reducing the amount of maintenance necessary to keep the exposed elements of the system in working order as well as the costs associated with the components themselves. Traditional methods of power production involve the purchase of a fuel source like coal or oil, which will also impact the prices which are ultimately paid by consumers for the electrical product. Green energy technologies do not need to purchase the fuel source as they utilize natural occurring elements like wind and sun in order to turn turbines which produce electricity. The costs associated with these types of systems are generally in maintenance, as certain characteristics create higher repair costs than fossil fuel systems will have. As an example, we can look at wind power production as a method of producing electricity that has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages over fossil fuels are that there is no pollution being generated through the burning of a fuel source, as well as having the potential to be produced at lower costs in the future. As the technologies involved in systems such as this are improved, the prices associated with production are driven down. Eventually, improvements to the systems will create situations where the power is generated at a lower cost than the comparable fossil fuel systems, ultimately making fossil fuel power systems obsolete. When a production method is both more environmentally damaging and also more expensive, there is no reason for that type of system to be chosen over a better, cleaner method. We are on the verge of this situation with wind power production.

The disadvantages to wind turbine systems are that they are easily damaged by inclement weather and lightning strikes, and have limited capacities as far as production and storage. With regards to the production capacities, power can only be generated when the wind is blowing. This means that through the development of better energy storage systems, we can harness and distribute more electricity even when the wind is not blowing. By developing better methods of avoiding damage as a result of the known primary sources of damage, we can also drive down costs by not only keeping the systems online for longer periods of time but also by reducing costs of maintenance. Wind towers are notoriously difficult to maintain, and any extension of the lifespan of the equipment involved reduces costs significantly. Lightning strikes to the blades and nacelle are difficult to avoid, but through the development of cheaper composite materials we can reduce their replacement costs. Even more impactful is the development of improved surge protection systems that can be integrated into wind towers in order to isolate damage of a lightning strike to the strike point itself. Lightning strikes produce power surges which move from the strike point through the system and overwhelm computerized equipment attached. By isolating the surge to the area around the strike point, we can protect the equipment downstream and further drive down costs. Eventually, this will result in cheaper power being produced by wind towers then by fossil fuel systems.

Why Surge Protection Systems Are Necessary On Wind Turbines

Climate conditions are continually changing, and when combined with an ever-increasing global dependence on fossil fuels, the worldwide interest in sustainable and renewable energy and resources grows every year. From those who are adamantly pushing for renewable energy to be adopted in a more widespread way due to climate change concerns, to those who are interested in renewal models as a method of creating cheaper power for the masses, all interest revolves around the development of more technologically advanced wind turbines and solar panels. Wind power is seen across the globe as being one of the most promising technologies, with ample room for improvement to the systems. Aggressive government programs in nations across the world have pushed wind and solar energy to evolve at a far faster rate than ever expected, and the rollout of new wind turbines in all of these countries is seeing exponential growth. Along with the installation of every new wind turbine comes the risk of that turbine being struck by lightning and seriously damaged. Lightning protection for wind turbines has become one of the most challenging and yet important aspects of the future of green energy.

Wind turbines are unique structures, being mostly made of metal and generally situated as the tallest structure in a region. They are difficult to protect using the conventional surge protection methods, and many times will be sacrificed after a single surge instance. Wind towers can easily be more than 150 meters in height and located on high ground in remote areas which are exposed to the elements. The most exposed of the components within a wind turbine are the blades and nacelle, and due to their being constructed from composite materials, are generally unable to sustain a direct lightning strike without significant damage. The lightning strike often happens to the blades, creating a situation where a significant power surge travels throughout the turbine structure and impacts all of the components within the windturbine itself. It can also spread to the electrically-connected areas nearby as well, and do to poor earthing conditions that are present, most wind power setups will very often see significant damage as a result of a single strike and surge.

Electronics and bearings are very susceptible to lightning damage, and maintenance costs are high due to the difficulties associated with component replacement. Improving this statistical average of necessary component replacement is seen by many as the most viable method of technologically improving the wind power systems to remain online and functional for longer periods of time. Additionally, driving down production costs by eliminating maintenance and field maintenance calls as much as possible is also positive. This plan falls squarely in the lap of surge protection systems which are designed to isolate damage as much as possible to the strike point and eliminate the subsequent damage because of the surge. As better surge protection devices are integrated into wind farms worldwide, we will see both the driving down of costs as well as improved volumes of energy production over time.

Friday, August 28, 2020

The Need For Industrial Surge Protection

Microprocessors and other forms of sensitive electronic equipment is depended upon fine much of today’s industrial and professional systems in place within industrial businesses. This means that nearly every aspect of our lives are more dependent upon have been higher levels of protection from electrical surges than ever. The logic controls and embedded microprocessors, as well as computers and other devices all utilized electronic circuitry in the automation process. Motor speed and machine programming as well as tool changes within the sophisticated manufacturing systems of today’s industrial businesses are especially vulnerable to these types of mishaps. Power surges wreak have a on processes high cost and interruptions and catastrophic failures, as well as creating premature aging of computer equipment. Through the use of industrial surge protection devices, industrial processes and manufacturers can mitigate the ongoing problems and disruptions caused by surge events.

There are multiple types a surge events which are externally generated, ranging from grid switching to lightning strikes. These problems present themselves at random times over and above the damage that is caused by internally generated surges. Overvoltage events they are created by the utilities themselves as well as power fluctuations which are created by machinery operating in other areas of the same facility will all have an adverse effect on both the machinery and processes themselves as well as the productivity. Facility-wide surge protection must be in place at home of the stages of the electrical distribution system, ranging from single-phase loads all the way to the electrical service entrance. Only industrial grade surge protection devices are acceptable solutions to mitigating the issues created by these surge events.

Lightning strikes can happens either directly to the equipment or locally to the power lines which are connected to the equipment operating inside of the facility. The direct strike is a rare occurrence but will cause extensive damage if not properly protected against. Direct lightning strikes on high voltage lines as well as other metallic structures are mitigated through the use of grounding air terminals and shielding above the structures. This type of protection does not remove the risks associated with lightning damage which happens down line, nor does it helped to reduce the severity of damage when it does happen. Local strikes damage equipment by creating the massive power surge which utilizes power lines enter into buildings in order to overwhelm equipment downstream. Equipment damage of this type can happen as a result of lightning strikes that occurred not only outside of the facility but miles away. This is why surge protection devices should be installed as close to the equipment as possible for optimal operation. There are many different types of events which can create power surges, all having the same types of damaging effects on the systems that are relied upon within any businesses. Through the installation of technologically advanced surge protection devices which are manufactured to handle industrial grade loads, business can maintain a more stable schedule as well as seeing them are wards of equipment life span extension.

Industrial Surge Protection Is More Important Than Ever

As our lives become more technologically driven, we are more reliant upon industrial processes to not only manufacture the goods that utilize, but also to provide the connectivity and safety that we rely upon. Most things ranging from the clothing that we wear to the cell phones in our hands are reliant on the industrial process in order to make our lives more convenient. Industrial facilities having evolved over time to be far more technologically advanced than they ever have been in the past. Advanced computer equipment and microprocessors as well as other circuit driven equipment are now found in almost every manufacturing process, and the costs that we pay as consumers are direct reflections of the improvements in speed and efficiency of these processes that has been caused by the integration of technologically advanced equipment. Aspects of the process which are impacted in a negative way, or shut down completely will ultimately result in consumers’ needing to pay more for goods and services, or except a lower standard from the connectivity wear safety we have come to grow used to. Many of these negative impacts on industrial processes come from the natural events like lightning strikes. The direct strike to the equipment used industrial facilities is rare, but will generally cost significant amount of damage both at the strike point and as a result of the subsequent power surge. The way that direct strikes are protected against our through the installation of overhead shielding and grounding equipment. Strikes that happen to the power and connectivity lines which run outside of the facility are less rare and more problematic. The power generated by the lightning strike travels along these lines effectively. This causes massive amounts of electricity to come into direct contact with the equipment which is utilized in the process, ultimately damaging the circuitry needed to keep these processes online. The chain of events which happens as when equipment piece is affected and then the next can create the catastrophic event where the equipment is so damaged than it needs to be replaced completely. These types of events take the process is offline and ultimately create slowdowns which will increase customer prices. Through the integration of surge protection devices in a redundant format and installed as close to the equipment as possible, these types overvoltage events can be mitigated if not avoided altogether. This allows for industrial facilities to continue to maintain operations in a more effective manner and for longer periods of time, allowing prices to remain low for the consumers. The industrial processes that result in connectivity also are able to remain online for longer timeframes, translating into the larger ability four people to be productive themselves. In this way, our own personal lives rely upon industrial surge protection directly. From the clothes we wear to the computers that we use and the internet we connect to in order to provide our own additions to productivity, we are depending on industrial surge protection more than ever.

Surge Protection Keeps You Productive

One of the most interesting developments over the course of the last 20 years has been the evolution of the cellular phone, and the reliance upon it by the general public. Just two decades ago, a cellular phone was a new type of device that gave you the ability to receive or make a phone call without being connected to a line. This functionality was provided by towers which were installed in a position that would provide an uninterrupted line between the cellular device and the top of the tower. The signals that were being sent and received from the device to the tower top were then processed and sent through the network to that person on the receiving end of the call. This type of setup has evolved technologically in order to provide more enhanced services for the person using the cellular phone, but both the generalized makeup of the process as well as the potential pitfalls of it have remained in place. Cellular phones themselves have become more enhanced with the ability to transfer larger amounts of data using the same network. This is how cellular calls ultimately became the ability to access the internet, stream video and send pictures. Only through the ability to transfer larger packets of data were any of these processes able to become a reality, and only through the upgrading of the equipment involved in the process were these things able to manifest themselves. The stakes became higher as the need for more technologically advanced and robust equipment presented itself, all costing more to both put in place and keep operational. At the same time as these advanced services have become more commonplace, costs associated with operating the network has been driven down, allowing customers to become used to low prices and advanced services all at once. Because cost cutting through a reduction of service would ultimately lose customers in today’s landscape, the only way to continually drive the rise in operational costs down is to improve the process. This involves creating ways to extend the operational life span of the equipment used, or improve the maintenance and replacement of that equipment. One of the best ways that this is being accomplished is through the installation of more advanced surge protection devices, which minimize the amount of damage created by natural events like lightning strikes. The lightning strike produces an electrical transients which can overwhelm any equipment between the top of the tower and the network, as it travels along connectivity lines as well as power lines. These surges, only produce outages that reduce the ability for customers to connect as well as send or receive data. As more effective prevention measures are developed which will reduce the amount of cost associated with lightning strike damage even more, we will see cellular providers able to provide even better services at lower costs than we do today. Surge protection devices are able to keep us online and productive in today’s connected world.

Protection Of Equipment In Cell Towers Keeps You Online

Just a few years ago it would be unthinkable that you would not use your computer for the majority of your daily life. Only two decades ago your cell phone was just a novelty that allowed you to receive and make phone calls without having to be connected to a cord, but few could ever envisioned what would ultimately become a total dominance of the internet space by cellular phones. This has led to a near total replacement of that connected computer sitting on your desk with your phone. It evolved from being able to create clearer calls and better connectivity through an upgrade of the equipment involved in the process to actually transmitting larger packets of data across the network. Once it was realized that this could be possible, the integration of internet connections was the next logical step. Once you were able to make calls, connect to the internet and stream video to a variety of platforms, the cellular phone has become the way that people remain productive in innumerable ways. It also creates the issue of total reliance upon that connection in order to have so many aspects of your life remain functional. If your phone cannot connect to the towers around it, your life almost stops completely as far as productivity goes. Most people do not have a backup phone line to rely upon, and fewer every year have another source of internet connectivity. This results in a simple problem in between that our closest to your phone and the network resulting in you having almost no ability to do the things that are necessary for you to do throughout your day. As a result of the magnitude of this issue, cellular providers have invested heavily in surge protection devices for their towers and equipment in the field.

Because of the general makeup of a cellular tower, they are magnets for lightning strikes. Being the tallest structure in a region is necessary in order to provide uninterrupted signals to the users on the ground, but this physical characteristic also makes the tower the prime target for lightning strikes. The materials with which the tower is constructed also play a role in the attraction of lightning. The damage as a result of a lightning strike to the tower itself is seen as not only the damage that occurs at the strike point but also the damage that occurs as a result of both network outages and equipment overload. Lightning strikes produce a massive power surge which will damage the circuitry of the equipment which is used at the top of the tower to receive your signal as well as the bottom of the tower which sends that information to the network. Equipment at these positions are connected through both power lines as well as data transfer coaxial cables, both of which provide a perfect pathway for the electrical surge which damages that equipment. Only through heavy investment into surge protection devices are cellular providers able to keep your calls connected and your internet and functional.

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Surge Protective Devices

“SPD” is a common way to refer to surge protective devices. It stands for “Surge Protective Device”. These technological wonders are the single best defense against lightning produced power surges. They are found in nearly every low voltage application at industrial facilities, and are critical in producing safe operations within the solar, wind and telecommunications fields as well as transportation. Transient voltage surge protection is critical in today’s environment for operation of almost any type of industrial business if profitability is to be maintained. This is due to the fact that a large portion of the ongoing expenses associated with doing business is found in the repair and replacement costs of equipment in the field. While lightning strikes are unpredictable and very difficult to control, damage that occurs at the strike point itself is not the entirety of the damage that is generally associated with the power surge. This can be found further down the chain, in the equipment that is being used in the process. What happens is that the lightning strike itself hits an exposed piece of equipment or structure, allowing for a massive power surge to enter into the power transfer chain or data lines. This allows extreme amounts of electricity and travel without effort from component to component that shares the same lines, overwhelming the internal circuitry of computerized equipment. These types of components have an operational range that is not able to handle power surges without internal damage happening. The outcome tends to be a shutdown of the process itself coupled with internal damage to the equipment which renders it inoperable until it is repaired or replaced. More extreme levels of damage can result in fires and explosions that can threaten entire structures. Only through the elimination of a voltage surges that can cause damage to equipment and the critical functions that they provide can a level of operations be reached that protects ROI. The most effective standard for these protections are the technologically advanced surge protection devices that are manufactured specifically for these uses. They are installed along data and power lines, as well as within enclosure systems and structures at critical junction points as well as along surfaces that have the ability to conduct electricity effectively. They provide the ability to stop electrical flow and give excess electricity a path towards ground rather than to the equipment, and do so without completely shutting down both the system and the surge protective device itself. One of the most common occurrences that produces damage is the “multiple strike” instance, in which one lightning strike produces the surge that ultimately renders the surge protective device inoperable, only to be followed by a secondary surge which overwhelms the now unprotected equipment. Through the “always on” Strikesorb technology that has been developed by Raycap, the need for resetting or replugging of the devices in order to return them to functionality is unnecessary. This provides the level of protection against power surges that is necessary within industries that operate using billions of dollars’ worth of equipment. When the stakes are this high, only the best will do. Has your business achieved a level of protection that is satisfactory?