Information for Communications Facilities.

Lightning activity presents one of the greatest hazards to communications and 911 facilities. It is not only the dramatic hit that destroys equipment but the more subtle reduced life and equipment that does not run reliably. People often ignore lightning damage because it is so random, and many people think nothing can be done anyway.

The benefits of lightning protection is much more than preventing the dramatic hit with arcing, sparking and black marks. Surge suppressors and grounding will pay for themselves by giving your equipment a longer life and less failures. Power companies no longer supply power clean enough for modern microprocessors. Would you drink from today's rivers without using a filter? Well modern lightning equipment is drinking from utility power that is dirty. As the power lines run across the country they pick up harmonics, transients and power factor problems. Older equipment was not affected as much as new equipment seems to be.

1. Earth current-induced transients
2. Atmospheric-induced transients
3. Electromagnetic-induced transients

1. All ways that transients may enter the building including lightning
2. The risk versus the cost
3. Impact of down time (cost, public relations etc.)
4. The maximum strength of lightning possible
5. Single point grounding and tower grounding
6. Soil conductivity
7. Height of building
8. Tower location

 When a proper system is installed it will address all methods of entry. This means:

1. Grounding corrections
2. Installing quality accepted surge suppressors designed for the location