Electrical Surge Protection

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Telecommunications Protection Systems

Telecommunications is an industry that people rely on in order to survive. Our phones have become integral in our lives in order to function and maintain the lifestyle that we have become accustomed to. We now rely on instant communication and access to data in the modern world, which ultimately is made possible through the ongoing expansion of the networks of cellular towers and sites across the country and the world. This ever-expanding network of connectivity is the responsibility of a handful of major carriers who own the equipment used in the process, and is relied upon not only by them but also by the smaller carriers who do not have networks of their own. Through this dedication to connectivity, these carriers are continually investing into new equipment that is used in the towers that exist, as well as in towers that do not exist yet. The only way to expand a network is to add new sites and towers in regions that currently do not have connectivity, or have a limited amount of connectivity due to a low number of towers and sites that can be accessed by customers. The network providers must constantly find new regions where towers can be placed so as to improve that blanket of connectivity, or upgrade the equipment inside of the existing sites to be more powerful. The upgraded equipment makes the signals stronger, allowing for faster transfer speeds and clearer calls, but usually is not used to boost the distances that can be covered by a single site. In fact, 5G connectivity using the stronger signals is actually shorter range meaning that blanket coverage of an area in fast speed connectivity needs more sites than ever. This continually positions more and more equipment in the field, all of which is at risk for damage.

The biggest threat to telecommunications equipment in the field is lightning strikes, and the surges of electricity that follow them. The damage that happens at the strike point comes in the form of explosions and fires, and is not easily able to be avoided. The major damage to systems overall actually comes from the power surge, which travels along connectivity lines and through conductive materials. This power surge damages equipment in its path at the circuit level, as these components can only process a certain amount of electricity before the circuitry inside them is destroyed. The only way to combat this issue is through the integration of surge protection devices and systems into that site or tower, generally between the remote radio head and the base station unit. This prevention technique stops the flow of electrical overages that can damage equipment, stopping the flow or diverting it in a way that will not allow the excess to come into contact with the components further down the line. This salvages equipment inside of each site from the common occurrences of lighting strikes and damage, saving budgets and allowing for less operational expenses.

Cell Site Surge Protection

Over the years, one of the essential industries regarding communication and productivity has become the telecommunications industry. This business is dominated by a handful of major players and additional smaller carriers that can only be in business by utilizing networks built and owned by the major players. This scenario often means that just a few companies are driving the innovation and improvement in the industry. These companies compete for customers based upon a few specific aspects of life improvement, cost, technology, and convenience. Most customers state that they are most sensitive to cost, with the second most important aspect influencing their decision to choose a company with optimal connectivity. Even though nearly everyone will say that the fastest speeds and the latest features are important to them, they also understand that they may not be able to afford the highest-end phones or newest features due to their financial budgets. Consumers make their decisions based upon having the most available features offered in an affordable plan.

Connectivity is a significant feature with regard to competition because a high-end phone or expensive plan is worthless if there is low-quality connectivity in your area. For this reason, the major cell carriers are continually improving their coverage areas and speeds through the installation of new equipment and sites. Your connectivity to the network depends on the cell tower within about a mile of your general location, meaning that great coverage in the next city over means nothing to you as a customer. Cell companies must continually invest in developing new sites in areas that are growing in population, putting more equipment into the field with the rollout of each new cell site. Each piece of equipment positioned in the field represents an investment risk to the cell company because that equipment is always able to be damaged. The greatest threat to cell site equipment is lightning strikes and the subsequent power surge that can couple into transfer lines. Because these lines are designed to carry power from one position to the next, the power surge produced by the lightning strikes to (or around) the towers quickly travels along them great distances. This surge destroys the circuitry of unprotected equipment, creating losses as far as the equipment itself and as a result of unsatisfied customers who can no longer connect to the network. The risk of damage from a lightning surge is why the investment of advanced surge protection equipment from Raycap is important. The “always-on” features of Raycap SPDs allow the towers to remain functional even after a surge incident, minimizing the amount of damage and time that disruption to service might cause. Happy customers who can connect to the network and experience satisfactory features for a low price stay loyal to that company. That’s good business.

Thursday, April 28, 2022

America Needs To Improve Its EV Capabilities

The need for America to improve its infrastructure with a more widespread grid of electric vehicle charging stations is well known. There have been numerous reasons for the slow adoption of electric vehicles in America, and one by one, these issues have been being solved, furthering the push toward widespread adoption. Tesla is responsible for the most dramatic push toward widespread acceptance and adoption by the general public. This was accomplished through the development of powerful and stylish vehicles that did not have the general appearance of EVs from the past, but also through the rollout of a nationwide grid of charging stations that will allow for a full charge in less than 30 minutes. This gave Tesla owners the ability not to be as limited by the technological constraints of an electric vehicle like they were in the past, enabling further driving distances and more minor inconveniences when charging. This investment on Tesla’s part was designed to remove the mental barriers hindering sales of electric vehicles and exclusively put Tesla at the front of the pack. While every other car manufacturer has finally followed and rolled out their product, they lack the critical infrastructure that Tesla has put in place. They are still reliant upon an antiquated system of slow charging stations that will take upwards of two hours to charge their vehicle fully. This inconvenience hinders the widespread adoption of electric vehicle technology in general. While Tesla is making headway, it cannot be the only company if a switchover from gas to electric is to happen by the general public majority. For this to happen, improvements to the EV charging station grid in the United States must happen. This can only be accomplished through a private company essentially doing the same thing Tesla has done or through governmental intervention in the process. Through incentives and tax rebates that will make ownership of charging stations more attractive, the US government is attempting to create incentives that will move things forward.

The main issues are the costs associated with installing a fast-charging system into existing gas stations or properties and the risk factors to that investment. Lightning strikes to the equipment or around it can cause a significant investment loss through the destruction of the components. The larger platform necessary for fast charging stations makes this risk even more important. Only through the integration of surge protection for electric vehicle charging stations can this risk of investment be minimized and attract investors to the space. By bringing risk down, private businesses can make the investment necessary to create more availability of these new technology chargers. This will allow other manufacturers to introduce products that will compete with Tesla, and ultimately improve the adoption and switch from gas to electric for more people. The high gas prices are helping people make the switch, but we are still far from where we need to be.

Electric Vehicle Adoption

One of the main issues with regard to the widespread adoption of EVs in America is that there is a lack of convenience in regard to them. The switch from gas to electric has been slow, and even now after many years of production electric vehicles still only account for about 2% of the population of vehicles on the road. For a long time, many Americans did not embrace electric vehicle technology simply due to a lack of power or styling, however, this sentiment changed over the last ten years with Tesla, who began making EVs that were both luxurious and powerful. By simply changing the way the body looked, they changed many people’s minds as far as purchasing a vehicle that was not powered by gas. They also proved that an electric vehicle did not have to be slow and underpowered, showing that the technology would allow the cars to be more powerful than gas. This won over many more people, who began flocking to Tesla not only because they were electric, but just because they liked how the cars looked and drove. Tesla also rolled out a network of charging stations far superior to the existing charging stations in this country. They made it so that an 80% full charge could be delivered in less than 30 minutes of wait time, vastly improving on the multiple hours waits expected for most other brands. This addition of convenience grew Tesla’s following to cult-like status.

For the widespread adoption of electric vehicles to be complete, other manufacturers must be able to compete with Tesla in the same ways. While they can all match the power and the styling, they lack the charging convenience, forcing their owners to rely on the older technology within the nationwide grid of charging stations. For this reason, the government began to get involved to incentivize business owners to invest in installing new generation charging stations that can deliver faster charges. There is hesitation on their part, because the investment can run more than 250 thousand dollars and has an increased risk of damage due to lightning strikes than the previous generation. This increased risk is because the equipment costs more and takes up more space for installation. The wider footprint makes the possibility of a lightning strike and power surge greater and poses a larger risk for loss. To reduce these risks, high-tech surge protection devices for EV charging stations have been developed. The installation of these SPDs can vastly reduce the risk of losses, as it protects equipment downstream from the strike point more effectively than ever before. With the combination of incentives, tax breaks, and improved technology that can minimize risks, more businesses will install the fast chargers, which will help America make the switch more easily. The future is electric, and America is finally getting on board.

Surge Protection For EV Charging Stations

One of the biggest challenges that faces America at any point in time has always been changing the opinions of the public. Americans are notoriously headstrong with regards to their feelings and opinions on matters that have an impact on them personally, and the transition from gas-powered to electric vehicles is no different. Many will argue that the transition from traditional fuel to alternative forms must be sped up, with large countries like America adopting the switch too slowly. This leads to the possibility of running out of the fuel source on a global scale, ultimately leading to extreme pain. The consumers hanging on to the traditional forms will pay exorbitant prices or have no other alternative. As the world oil supply begins to run out, some predicting this will happen by 2040, many will see the issues coming and begin to take precautions to shield themselves from the eventual increases in prices due to scarcity. Others will continue to cling to their traditional methods, ultimately being forced to convert when there is nothing left to buy. The transition to electric vehicles is being met with resistance in the United States, and while it has gained traction as of the last few years through the efforts of Tesla, the overall transition away from gas by the masses is not moving fast enough. The vehicles were originally met with resistance due to being underpowered and lacking style. Still, now it appears that the only real hindrance is that they do not have the same capacities for mileage between charges that gas-powered vehicles have. Tesla has built their network of fast-charging stations that can deliver a full charge in less than 30 minutes in most major metro areas, but the existing grid of chargers outside of that offered to Tesla owners is sorely lacking. This is why the government is encouraging businesses to invest in the installation of fast charging technology to solve the capacity issues for other manufacturers and thereby increase the ownership of these types of vehicles by average Americans. The investment is not small, many times being over 250k and putting that equipment at continual risk of damage due to lightning strikes. The larger footprint of these stations makes them more prone to lightning strikes, and the equipment being more expensive increases the risk associated with ownership. Luckily, technological advancements like installing a new generation of surge protection devices for EV charging stations reduce that risk, thereby increasing the tolerance necessary for businesses to invest. Couple that with tax incentives and additional government programs, and we find that America is finally developing a grid of rapid charging stations that can service all makes of electric vehicles. This makes EV ownership more tolerable and may ultimately put America on track to prepare for the eventual oil supply issues that loom in the future.

The Need For A National EV Charging Grid

The push for more adoption of electric vehicles in the United States comes with a problem, namely the lack of availability of rapid charging stations. The rollout of electric vehicles has been slow in America, with problems in the areas of styling and power hindering sales for many years. While other countries have been quicker to adopt electric vehicles on a mass scale, America clings to the need for luxury and power over conservation. This reliance on fossil fuel technology has made the manufacturers slow to roll out new electric vehicle models, as they fear sales will not be worth the effort that would be put into the development. Car manufacturers will rarely create new trends, and will generally follow the trends after they have already been established. Tesla has been creating those trends over the past few years as it built a brand in America with pride in the ownership of electric vehicles. As a result of their success creating a vehicle that is renewable and powerful and stylish, most car manufacturers now offer an electric model. The problem is that they have not created the infrastructure for owning a Tesla. The main issue with other EV models is that they rely upon a network of charging stations that is lacking and need to be improved upon. Tesla not only created an electric vehicle but also created a nationwide network of charging stations that can deliver a charge in less than 30 minutes. When this is compared to the more than an hour that the standard EV charging station will provide, it becomes apparent why there is still slow adoption of other brands of electric vehicles. A concerted effort must be made to create a better network of fast-charging stations that can quickly deliver a full charge. This will make an EV an attractive purchase for a typical American family. This effort will require governmental intervention in order to speed up the process, making the investment more attractive to existing gas station owners and other businesses interested in placing charging stations on their property. This can be is accomplished through incentives and tax breaks, but the technology still poses issues that will make many potential investors hesitate.

A significant amount of investment is required to place a rapid charging EV station on your property. The several hundred thousand dollars of equipment necessary sits in harm’s way once it is installed, essentially facing the risk of damage to both chargers and the vehicles themselves resulting from lightning strikes and power surges. The technology has evolved to deliver the faster charge necessary, but this makes the footprint and risks larger as a result. In addition, lightning can strike anywhere around or on the equipment and do vast amounts of damage. Overvoltage risk is minimized by integrating EV surge protection devices throughout the system to protect the infrastructure and the vehicle batteries from overheating. Surge protection can improve the validity of the investment and potentially take America one step closer to widespread adoption.

The Transition To EV

Transitions from one form of living to another are always difficult, and human beings are not the best at accepting change. We like things to be both comfortable and typical, with our daily routines being shaped around the technologies and items that we have chosen to make our lives easier. Our cars are a huge part of our lives in America, and we rely on them for nearly everything that does not take place directly in our homes. Even for the forms of exercise, we get outside our houses. We will usually use a car to transport ourselves to that location. We have been reliant upon gas-powered vehicles for most of our lives and have grown used to the patterns necessary for them to be convenient. Even though we will complain about repairs and gas prices, we understand what is necessary and will continue to cling to that technology. Because we adhere to existing technologies, it makes transitions to new forms of technology difficult for most, and the transition to electric vehicles is no different.

We need to move over to electric vehicles in America, as gas is becoming more and more scarce every year. There is a limited supply of oil in the world, and as a result, the gasoline costs will continue to rise until the supply is thoroughly exhausted. We rely so much on our vehicles that these increases as well as the threat of shortages can cripple our economy and way of life. Because of this, for many years the experts have been attempting to change people’s minds about the use of electric cars. As a result, there has been a push toward the widespread adoption of EV by Americans. The process has been slow, with many rejecting EVs because of a lack of power or styling. Tesla solved those issues through their products and tacking another looming problem of the convenience of a full charge not being as easy as filling up with gas. They installed a network of fast-charging stations that can deliver a full charge in less than 30 minutes, satisfying the need for convenience when relying on your car. For other manufacturers to also benefit, which will assist in further adoption of EVs across the board, a similar level of convenience must be realized. This means improving our network of fast charging stations that can service other makes than Tesla and do it simultaneously. Investment by the government in the form of incentives to business owners who install the equipment necessary for consumers to charge at their locations is improving the situation. The introduction of advanced surge protection for EV stations also minimizes the risks of damage to equipment through lightning strikes and enhances the risk tolerance of business owners. All of these developments are helping Americans make the switch and help us become better equipped for the future of gasoline supply levels.