Raycap News

Information

Reinforcing Outdoor Fiber Cabinets Against Lightning Strikes

Within the telecommunications world, lightning strikes pose a significant threat to the integrity and reliability of network infrastructure. Outdoor fiber cabinets, equipped with integrated surge protection, offer a formidable defense against the damaging effects of lightning strikes. These cabinets provide an essential layer of protection for the active equipment inside by diverting excess electrical energy away from critical components, ensuring the longevity and uninterrupted operation of the telecommunications network. This article explores the integration of surge protection as a top feature in outdoor fiber cabinets, highlighting its role in reinforcing the cabinets’ resilience against lightning strikes. Lightning strikes can unleash massive amounts of electrical energy, potentially causing irreparable damage to telecommunications equipment and disrupting network services. Surge protection plays a pivotal role in safeguarding against lightning-induced power surges.

Surge protection devices (SPDs) integrated into outdoor fiber cabinets shield sensitive equipment from power surges caused by lightning strikes. These overvoltage devices act as a barrier, redirecting excess electrical energy away from valuable network components, such as active equipment, power supplies, and communication devices. By preventing power surges from reaching vulnerable equipment, surge protection significantly reduces the risk of damage and costly downtime. Lightning strikes have the potential to interrupt network services, leading to communication disruptions and financial losses. Integrated surge protection ensures network continuity by preserving the integrity of the telecommunications infrastructure. By diverting the electrical energy of lightning strikes away from critical components, surge protection helps maintain uninterrupted connectivity, allowing businesses and individuals to stay connected and productive.

Power surges caused by lightning strikes can degrade the performance and lifespan of telecommunications equipment. Integrated surge protection safeguards against these surges, minimizing wear and tear on equipment components. By providing a stable and protected electrical environment, surge protection extends the lifespan of active equipment, reducing the need for frequent replacements and lowering overall maintenance costs. The financial implications of lightning-induced damage can be substantial. Integrated surge protection offers significant cost savings by preventing equipment failures and associated repair or replacement expenses. The investment in surge protection within outdoor fiber cabinets is a proactive measure that pays off in the long run, reducing the financial burden of potential lightning-related damage.

The integration of surge protection within outdoor fiber cabinets involves several mechanisms and technologies that collectively reinforce the cabinets’ ability to resist damage from lightning strikes. SPDs are the primary components responsible for managing power surges. These devices detect excessive voltage levels and redirect the surge away from critical equipment. Integrated within outdoor active cabinets, SPDs act as the first line of defense, rapidly reacting to lightning-induced surges and dissipating the excess energy harmlessly. Outdoor fiber cabinets often employ multi-stage surge protection systems, consisting of several levels of defense. Each stage of protection operates at different areas of the system, with the initial stages capable of handling higher voltage surges and the subsequent stages protecting against lower voltage surges.

This multi-stage approach ensures comprehensive protection, effectively neutralizing varying degrees of lightning-induced surges. Industrial surge protection systems provide rapid and effective voltage clamping during transient events. These solutions respond quickly to voltage spikes, diverting the surge away from sensitive components. By providing low impedance paths to the ground, they absorb excess energy and protect equipment from damage. Proper grounding is an essential aspect of surge protection. Outdoor fiber cabinets incorporate robust grounding systems to complement surge protection mechanisms.

These grounding systems establish a low-resistance path to the ground, allowing the surge energy to safely dissipate. Grounding conductors, rods, and plates are strategically positioned to divert the electrical current away from critical components, reducing the risk of damage caused by lightning-induced power surges. Outdoor fiber cabinets are designed with isolation and shielding techniques to further enhance surge protection. Isolation mechanisms, such as isolation transformers, create a physical barrier between incoming power sources and sensitive equipment, preventing the propagation of power surges.

Additionally, cabinets may feature shielding measures, such as metallic enclosures or conductive coatings, that help contain and dissipate electromagnetic interference (EMI) caused by lightning strikes, minimizing the risk of equipment malfunction or data corruption. Surge protection integrated into outdoor fiber cabinets undergoes rigorous testing to ensure its effectiveness. These systems are designed and certified to meet industry standards and regulatory requirements for surge protection. Compliance with these standards guarantees that the surge protection mechanisms within the cabinets can withstand lightning-induced power surges and provide the intended level of protection.

The integration of surge protection into outdoor fiber cabinets offers numerous benefits to telecommunication infrastructure and service providers. Integrated surge protection significantly enhances the reliability of telecommunications networks. By diverting lightning-induced power surges away from critical components, surge protection minimizes the risk of equipment failures and service disruptions. This increased reliability ensures uninterrupted connectivity for businesses and individuals, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. Surge protection mechanisms within outdoor cabinets play a vital role in prolonging the lifespan of telecommunications equipment.

By shielding equipment from the damaging effects of power surges, surge protection reduces wear and tear, thereby extending the operational life of critical network components. This results in cost savings by reducing the frequency of equipment replacements and associated maintenance expenses.  Lightning-induced power surges can cause significant downtime, leading to productivity losses and financial implications for businesses. Integrated surge protection in outdoor cabinets helps minimize downtime by preventing equipment damage and subsequent service interruptions.

Telecom providers can ensure seamless connectivity, even in the face of adverse weather conditions or lightning storms. Surge protection safeguards not only the physical equipment but also the data and communication flowing through the telecommunications network. Lightning-induced power surges can corrupt data, compromise network security, or result in data loss. The integration of surge protection within outdoor cabinets provides a secure environment for data transmission, protecting sensitive information and ensuring the integrity of communication channels.

The incorporation of surge protection within outdoor cabinets offers long-term cost-efficiency for telecommunication providers. By preventing equipment damage and reducing downtime, surge protection mitigates the financial burden associated with lightning-related incidents. The initial investment in surge protection is outweighed by the long-term cost savings achieved through equipment longevity, minimized repairs, and improved operational efficiency.

Telecommunication providers are often subject to regulatory requirements and standards related to surge protection. The integration of surge protection into outdoor fiber cabinets ensures compliance with these regulations, preventing potential legal consequences or penalties. Compliance with industry standards also reflects the commitment of telecommunication providers to maintaining a reliable and secure infrastructure. To maximize the effectiveness of surge protection within outdoor fiber cabinets, telecommunication providers should consider implementing best practices.

Routine maintenance and inspection of surge protection mechanisms are crucial to ensuring their optimal performance. Telecommunication providers should establish a regular maintenance schedule to check for any signs of wear and tear, loose connections, or other potential issues that may compromise the effectiveness of surge protection. Regular inspections and testing help identify and address any vulnerabilities promptly, maintaining the reliability of the surge protection system. Technology and standards for surge protection continue to evolve.

Telecommunication providers need to stay updated with the latest advancements in surge protection technology and industry standards. Periodic upgrades and modernization of surge protection systems within outdoor cabinets can enhance their performance and ensure compliance with current regulations. Adequate training and education of personnel responsible for maintaining and managing outdoor fiber distribution cabinets are crucial for effective surge protection. Telecommunication providers should provide training on surge protection best practices, including proper grounding techniques, handling surge protection devices, and understanding the signs of surge-related issues. Well-informed and trained personnel can proactively address surge protection concerns and ensure the longevity of the telecommunications infrastructure.

Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment is essential to identify potential vulnerabilities and tailor surge protection strategies accordingly. Factors such as geographical location, frequency of lightning strikes, and local weather patterns should be considered when designing surge protection systems. By understanding the specific risks associated with the area of operation, telecommunication providers can implement targeted surge protection measures that address the unique challenges they may face.

To ensure the highest level of protection against lightning-induced power surges, redundancy and backup systems should be considered. Incorporating redundant surge protection devices and backup power sources within outdoor cabinets adds an extra layer of resilience to the surge protection strategy. These redundant systems provide continuous protection even in the event of a surge or power failure, maintaining uninterrupted network operations. Seeking guidance from experts in surge protection and consulting with experienced professionals can be invaluable when designing and implementing surge protection strategies. Specialists can provide insights into the latest surge protection technologies, and industry best practices, and assist in customizing surge protection solutions to meet specific needs. Collaborating with experts ensures that telecommunication providers are equipped with the most effective surge protection measures available.

Integrated surge protection is a crucial feature of outdoor fiber cabinets, providing a formidable defense against the damaging effects of lightning strikes. By diverting excess electrical energy away from critical active components, surge protection ensures the reliability, longevity, and uninterrupted operation of the telecommunications infrastructure. The integration of surge protection not only safeguards equipment but also protects data, enhances network uptime, and minimizes downtime and associated financial losses. Telecommunication providers must prioritize the implementation of surge protection within outdoor cabinets, considering best practices such as regular maintenance, upgrading systems, comprehensive risk assessment, and collaboration with experts.

By following these practices, telecommunication providers can maximize the effectiveness of surge protection, mitigate the risks associated with lightning strikes, and maintain a robust and resilient telecommunications network. Investing in integrated surge protection within outdoor fiber cabinets demonstrates a commitment to the continuity and security of telecommunications services, bolstering customer satisfaction and establishing a competitive edge in the industry. With surge protection as a top feature, telecommunication providers can ensure the uninterrupted flow of data, maintain the integrity of communication channels, and protect critical network infrastructure from the devastating impacts of lightning strikes.

The Process of Manufacturing Outdoor Telecom Cabinets

In modern telecommunications, outdoor telecom cabinets are vital in housing and protecting critical equipment that keeps networks connected. Outdoor telecom cabinets commonly house active and passive equipment and protect it against vandalism and extreme weather conditions. While these cabinets seem like simple structures, their manufacturing process involves in-depth knowledge and attention to detail. When choosing a telecom equipment cabinet, it is essential to consider the manufacturing experience, materials used, and the importance of quality in ensuring the reliability and durability of the cabinets used for the telecommunications industry before choosing a supplier.

Design and Mapping: The uses for outdoor telecom cabinets vary widely, ranging from housing broadband equipment and fiber optic demarcation cabinets that act as places where internet access links up to public networks to FTTH (Fiber to the Home) cabinets where the optical fiber providing the local loop runs to homes or businesses, the manufacturing process of outdoor telecom cabinets begins with careful design and planning. Engineers and designers collaborate to develop cabinet blueprints that meet the specific needs of the customer and aspects of the project. Factors such as equipment dimensions, heat dissipation, weather resistance, and security features are considered during this phase. Advanced computer-aided design (CAD) software is employed to create precise 3D models, allowing for perfect visualization and accurate measurement.

Materials: Outdoor telecom cabinets are typically constructed using the highest-quality materials that offer durability, weather resistance, and protection against environmental factors. Common materials include stainless steel, aluminum, or galvanized steel, to provide strength and resistance to corrosion. Additional materials such as thermal insulation, fire-resistant coatings, and weatherproof seals may be incorporated depending on the project. Different cables and wiring may also needed, with specialized cabinets like “broadband equipment enclosures” or “telecom power cabinets” containing fiber optic cable, electrical or electronic equipment, mounts and trays for switches, routers, power supplies, Routers, or UPS systems for wireless carrier, ISP, cable, DSL, and satellite connections.

Fabrication: Once the design is finalized and materials are selected, the fabrication begins. The materials are cut, shaped, and welded according to specifications. Precision and attention to detail are essential at this stage to ensure that all components fit together seamlessly. Cabinets are assembled, with doors, hinges, locks, ventilation systems, shelving, and cable management features integrated. Throughout the assembly process, quality control checks are conducted to ensure that each step meets the required standards. Attention to detail will help with longevity in the field, and thermal analysis will determine the best thermal management solutions. Passive or active cooling and heat exchangers all must be considered based on the customer’s requirements. Customer or location-based factors may include right or left-hand doors, various locking systems, or smoke and flood sensors.

Surface Treatment and Finishing: Outdoor telecom cabinets undergo surface treatment to enhance their durability and resistance to harsh weather conditions. Surface treatments such as powder coating or paint are applied to protect the cabinets from rust, UV damage, and other environmental factors. These treatments not only provide aesthetic appeal but also ensure longevity and maintain the cabinet’s structural integrity.

Quality Assurance: Before an outdoor telecom cabinet is released for installation, thorough testing, and quality assurance measures are conducted. Cabinet designs are subjected to performance tests to assess their functionality, structural integrity, thermal management efficiency, and weatherproofing. These tests may include simulations of extreme weather conditions, temperature variations, and even vandalism resistance. Only after passing these tests are the cabinets deemed suitable for manufacturing in quantity and deployment in real-world telecom environments.

Manufacturing outdoor telecom cabinets is a process that involves design, material selection, fabrication, assembly, surface treatment, and rigorous testing. These cabinets are more than just enclosures; they are a critical part of the telecommunications infrastructure, protecting valuable equipment that keeps consumers connected. The craftsmanship and attention to detail during the manufacturing process ensure that these cabinets can withstand the harshest environments and deliver reliable performance over the long term. By understanding the complex engineering and design process behind their creation, we can appreciate the careful planning that goes into manufacturing outdoor telecom cabinets and their vital role in maintaining connectivity in our world.

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/products/indoor-outdoor-telecom-cabinets/

Signal Line Surge Protection

One of the essential pieces in a wide range of businesses involving data farming is transferring that data by signal lines. These are the communication cables that allow data to move across them. They are made up of copper wire, fiber, or a hybrid. Due to their composition, these lines will allow the transfer of electricity. In normal operations, this is fine. They are doing what they are designed to do. But in the occurrence of a power surge, the cables and wires in any structure could be what puts an entire system at risk. An excess of electricity will destroy or overwhelm connected equipment, and when this equipment is made to house data, contact can be very destructive not only for the equipment but for the data too. The information being transferred on these lines at the moment of an electrical spike is at risk, as well as the information housed on the connected equipment. The only effective method of protecting critical records and information is the integration of specially designed surge protection devices. When integrated along the signal or data lines, a surge of electricity is stopped and cannot pass beyond them. Surge protectors for data and signal lines can safely shunt away an overflow of energy that would compromise the digital records housed within these systems, keeping ongoing communications flowing without the need for repair, replacement, and, worst of all, the rebuilding of databases.

The best solutions for signal line protection are Raycap’s RayDat or ACData brand surge protective devices. These specialized products provide constant and ongoing protection from overvoltages and power surges, whether caused by switching within the plant or from the electrical grid and induced on T1/E1/DS1 backhaul circuits. Surge protection devices are small and easy to install while offering the maximum surge current capacities. By installing these devices along critical communication paths, crucial data can be given the highest protection against unfortunate events caused by power surges.

Lightning striking a facility directly or striking nearby structures can instantly produce a power surge large enough to destroy adjacent equipment by coupling onto power or signal lines. A direct strike on electrical towers or any activity causing a power surge, such as a downed tree hitting a power line, will cause a significant surge to quickly travel along power lines. If nearby buildings are not well protected with surge protection at the entrance, this grid-side power surge will quickly introduce excess electricity into the building’s electrical system. Electrical surges can also couple into any number of conductive lines nearby and travel quickly along them to other facilities. A lightning strike to a structure or facility that is in proximity can receive enough electricity to do damage to the equipment inside.

For this reason, it is always suggested that surge protective devices be installed at the service entrance and combined inside the building with other protective devices that can shield against electricity overvoltage transfer from one component to another. Once adequate Raycap surge protection devices are installed at the entrance, along potential pathways, and at the equipment itself, both equipment and the data it houses are protected at the highest level possible. Expertly installed surge protection systems can ensure the ongoing functionality of operations that rely on data transfer and storage. In the modern business climate, all businesses need an edge to gain to remain competitive. Signal line surge protection can give you that edge and provide peace of mind.

Learn More

Signal Line Surge Protection Devices

Raycap’s RayDat or ACData, signal surge protection devices, are the best protection for signal lines. These surge protective devices prevent electrical surges from contacting or damaging sensitive equipment that houses data. Data surge protection protects against induced transient overvoltage events on T1/E1/DS1 backhaul circuits. The signal protection devices are compact and easy to install along signal lines to ensure that in any situation, electricity outside of the safe range can not move past the point of their installation. Surge protection is critical in systems that rely upon the farming or retrieval of data from communications boards to maintain functionality.

If these boards get corrupted or damaged in any way, it will slow the business processes until repair or restoration is completed. Damage to the panels can bring the operations to a complete halt if the data cannot be recovered. At that point, a complete database rebuild might be necessary to restore functionality. This type of event could destroy the profitability of companies relying upon ongoing functional systems to earn revenue. Data is used in nearly every industry, from manufacturing to services, and if the systems cannot access their data, the work that makes revenue cannot be completed in time. This is why the protection of the communications boards is of such importance.

Signal line surge protection seems to allude to the signal lines being protected. In reality, the signal lines are the pathway that damaging overvoltage events can occur as a result of an electrical surge. If signal lines allow electricity to flow across them by their definition, then the door is also open for power outside of the safe operating range to move along them. If this happens and it comes into contact with the sensitive communications boards where data is housed, the results can be disastrous. Signal lines connect where the data is housed to the place where the data is required, so if any data is lost or the board itself is rendered unfunctional, there can be no back-and-forth communications. These lines must be equipped with surge protection devices that are installed at the right places to ensure equipment protection from any electrical surge.

If lightning strikes the facility or strikes a nearby structure, this could allow coupling into the lines entering the building housing the data center. The resulting electrical surge can travel along copper cables; if it reaches attached equipment, it can destroy it. If a switching error spikes electricity to a component, the connecting cable can transfer that electrical surge to the communications boards where the critical data is stored. In all these cases, the resulting loss of data or the necessity to restore it will not only cost money due to slowdowns, but it can also cripple a business if a need to rebuild the database completely becomes necessary. Smart businesses protect their systems, and surge protection is smart business.

Learn More

Protecting Signal Lines from Power Surges

When one hears about “signal line surge protection,” their first impression may be that surge protection devices protect the signal lines. In reality, this is not precisely true. Instead, surge protection devices are installed along the signal lines to prevent damage to the equipment to which the signal lines are connected. Many industries depend on the ongoing farming and processing of data to provide functionality to their business. This data is stored on communication boards which are essentially circuit-driven components that allow for data storage to be retrieved when necessary. These communications boards connect to the system they function within through a series of “signal lines,” or cables allowing data transmission.

Unfortunately, these operational cables provide a perfect pathway for electrical flow to travel, sometimes outside the safe operating range. If the electricity that reaches the communications board is outside of a safe range, it can destroy the data housed, making retrieval impossible and potentially halting system functionality. Because so many industries are data-driven and utterly reliant upon communication and data feeding between components, protection from these damaging incidents is paramount.

Raycap’s RayDat and ACData, brand surge protection devices, are the best solution to prevent surges caused by lightning or induced transient overvoltage events along T1/E1/DS1 backhaul circuits. These devices are compact and are easily integrated along these lines to prevent excess electricity from any source from moving past their point of installation, thus avoiding the damage and data loss that comes with surge activity. These surges and spikes can corrupt or even destroy the boards themselves, necessitating repair or replacement and reconstruction of the data, if possible. In many circumstances, the data can not be recovered, putting the business in a situation from which it may not recover.

Surge protectors redundantly installed along the signal lines and in combination with low voltage surge protective devices can provide the highest level of protection possible, even within the uncertain circumstances of power surges from various sources. Data surge protection systems can shunt unwanted energy, keeping systems online and functioning uninterruptedly. This process is critical for modern businesses to stay ahead of their competitors in many industries. It is necessary to provide many products that need to be manufactured or services that need to be provided, even in situations where something as unpredictable as lightning is potentially involved. If the possibility of a lightning strike to the lines themselves or the equipment nearby exists, then protection against the damage must be factored in. Plan for the worst to avoid it.

Learn More

Communications Board Surge Protection

Raycap’s RayDat or ACData, brand surge protection devices are specialized to provide the highest levels of defense against damage caused by electrical overvoltage in data protection applications. One of the common challenges among companies that rely on data to provide functionality to their business processes is that even minor power surges can corrupt or put valuable data at risk. Equipment used to farm data is positioned in large data centers separated from other buildings and almost always at risk of being exposed to power surges or outages due to lightning strikes. These strikes can inject unsafe electricity levels into systems directly and indirectly through lightning striking nearby and coupling onto power lines feeding into the data center.

Once that extra electricity has entered the electrical system, it is often provided with a perfect pathway to the communications board’s most sensitive component. This circuit-driven piece of equipment is directly connected to other components in the system through “signal lines,” cables designed to transfer data from place to place. These cables can allow higher levels of electricity than is safe to move along them, ultimately exposing the equipment and putting the sensitive communications controller board at risk. Even a small power surge can cause enough data corruption to create slowdowns, and a total data loss can cripple a business that relies upon it for functionality.

Signal line surge protection has been developed for this reason. These compact devices are easy to install, and when placed at signal lines, they can provide a barrier through which unsafe levels of electricity cannot move past. Installing such devices will protect all equipment positioned downstream, especially the communications board. High levels of protection can be achieved through robust signal surge protection devices positioned to prevent power surges within the system from reaching sensitive equipment and perhaps causing data corruption. While no surge protection system is entirely foolproof, signal protection from Raycap, coupled with power line surge protection installed at the service entrance, does provide a high level of protection for power, signal, and data lines and peace of mind for operators.

Profitability for most businesses depends on maintaining the most extended operational times possible while reducing the need for equipment repair or replacement. By eliminating the pathways that electrical surges from lightning or switching errors can travel upon without control, companies can dramatically reduce the amount of equipment repair necessary over time. Putting adequate protection in place will also increase the time that systems function properly, ultimately increasing the company’s profit margins. The investment into data or signal surge protection devices as a failsafe and data protection method is rarely debated by anyone as a cost-saving method, as “flying without a net” can never be considered good business practice. The protection costs are greatly outweighed by even a single instance of critical data loss and the necessity of repairs. In many cases, the complete loss of data without the ability to restore it can cause enough damage to threaten the very life of the business itself. Prudent enterprises protect their data.

Learn More

Protecting Wind Turbines

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/wind-turbine-surge-protection/

The development of new and more innovative energy sources is critical to the ongoing development of the world. The human population is growing every year, and as it does so does the reliance upon energy to keep the innovations they have made moving forward. Every aspect of human life involves energy consumption of some kind, and outside of the food we eat this energy is produced to allow us to use devices to make our lives more convenient. As the population swells, so does the need to produce more and more electricity to satisfy this need, and the costs of production of that electricity are one of the biggest issues facing the world today. Inflation is now a global issue, and everything is costing more to produce and transport. This makes the development of new and alternative sources of energy more important than ever before, not only to satisfy the demand but also to help bring down the production costs themselves. There are no new innovations that are improving the cost basis of fossil fuel production methods, so the world is looking to wind and solar as the possible methods that will create less expensive power. The ongoing trajectory of costs involved in producing power these ways show promise.

The costs of wind power production do not involve the purchase of a fuel source, as the wind is free. Instead, the costs are seen in the ongoing operation and maintenance of the systems, as the equipment to generate this energy is expensive and at risk of damage. Wind towers must be positioned in unobstructed and open areas so as to harness the majority of the wind, but this setup also puts them at risk for lightning strikes. At any time there are more than 1700 active lightning-producing storms globally, and every flash of lightning poses a risk to nearby wind towers. The lightning usually strikes the tower top or the blades, creating damage at the strike point itself. But this then allows for a massive power surge to enter the structure and follow any conductive path towards the earth. Any equipment used in the process is at risk of damage from this power surge, and only through the construction of better materials and systems can these forms of damage be minimized. The construction of the blades using better composites that can withstand lighting strikes can keep towers functioning even after a strike. The integration of surge protection devices inside the turbines can protect the equipment in the structure from surge damage, and ultimately also helps keep the systems functioning for longer periods of time. This reduction in maintenance costs combined with the production of more power during the times when the wind is blowing help to make a more efficient and cost effective system, and draws us closer every day towards power that is less expensive to make than fossil fuel methods. The future is near, and is driven by the wind.

Why Wind Turbines Need Protection

Why Wind Turbines Need Protection

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/wind-turbine-surge-protection/

The future of power production is green technology, not only because it is cleaner and will not have the negative impacts on the environment that fossil fuel methods do, but also because it can be less expensive. When discussing the costs of power production that can be consumed by the masses, we must look at the factors and elements that comprise that cost. With regard to fossil fuel methods, one of the primary costs associated with the process is the purchase or mining of fossil fuels which can be burned in order to move turbines. The movement of the turbines is the way that static electricity is produced and harnessed for processing and then use by the public. People have been using wind to move the blades of windmills for centuries, achieving their desired task. For the most part, this movement was used to push or pull, or potentially grind things. As of the last 100 years, people have started to figure out that this same movement can be used to generate static electricity using turbines. This means that the actual fuel source that is used is not one that costs money. Instead, it is free and the main cost basis is found in the care and maintenance of the equipment used in the process. Unfortunately, the positioning of this equipment puts it at constant risk of damage, much of which is caused by  lightning storms.

At any one point, there are nearly 1700 storms happening on the earth that can produce lightning. There are roughly 100 flashes of lightning every second on earth, each one capable of traveling to the ground and striking the most opportune target. Unfortunately, wind towers being the tallest structures in a region make them a primary target, causing strikes to the tower tops of blades to be common. Because of the damage to the blades, the wind towers become less efficient as they can capture less of the wind that is present. The lightning strike also causes a power surge that flows along conductive materials through the structure, generally damaging the equipment housed inside. This not only creates expense as far as repair, but takes the systems offline even though the wind is still present and able to generate power. Because of this inefficiency and other factors, as well as equipment cost, wind power has not yet been able to fully replace fossil fuel production methods.

Through the development of better and more resilient materials with which to construct the blades, and the integration of better ways to protect the sensitive electronics such as industrial surge protection devices inside the structures, the costs of operation can be greatly reduced while the outputs of each tower can be increased. Surge protection devices and systems are important to a future of more green energy power production, because their effective use can so dramatically reduce repair and replacement costs. By avoiding the damage in the first place, more power can be produced at lower costs. This is beneficial to both the environment and the consumer.

Wind Tower Surge Protection Systems

Wind Tower Surge Protection Systems

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/wind-turbine-surge-protection/

The traditional methods of power production for human consumption involve positioning a turbine over a heat source, which ultimately moves the turbines and generates static electricity for capture. That heat source is usually a bulk fuel that can be burned in order to generate the heat necessary. The fuels used in these capacities have been things like coal, oil and wood in the past, because they are relatively cheap and available in large quantities. The problems with these methods is that eventually these fuel sources will become more scarce and more expensive as a result. As the human population continues to swell, this is becoming more of a reality every day. The need to develop methods of generating power in a way that can not only satisfy the huge demand but also do it at a lower cost is a critical problem that the world needs to solve.

One method that shows promise of being able to achieve this task is wind power. The same types of turbines are used to generate power this way, only it is not a heat source that is causing them to turn. Instead, the wind blowing over the blades of a wind tower causes the movement necessary to produce the static electric charge. The drawbacks to this method are that the wind must be available to accomplish the goal, and there are expenses involved that are typically not seen in other methods. All the parts and pieces needed to make a wind turbine make the structure very expensive to manufacture. As well, the effort to transport and position these structures in the field, and the sensitive electronic equipment installed inside the structures to make them work efficiently mean that the total costs are enormous. Lastly, when they are finally installed and brought online their exposure to the elements is a threat. At any point in time there are storms happening all over the globe that produce lightning, and this lightning is always seeking the tallest structure in a region to strike. It is the nature of lightning to seek the path of least resistance to earth. Because the tops of the towers or the blades must be unobstructed by other structures to perform at their top capabilities, this makes the towers themselves a significant target. The strikes to the blades causes damage, and the power surge that follows causes additional damage to the equipment inside the structures. The power surge travels along all the conductive surfaces, coupling into the cables and wires that connect the equipment. This means a chain reaction of damage happens after each and every strike, even if it not a direct strike but a nearby one. The potential for damage can be reduced through the use of better materials in blade construction, and by the integration of industrial surge protection into the towers. By avoiding the damage to the blades using more robust materials, as well as the damage to the equipment downstream using surge protection devices, the threat of damage can be reduced or maybe eliminated. Through the ongoing development of better technologies used in these processes, we find that the costs can be reduced at the same time the capacities are improved. The result is less expensive and more plentiful power that does not rely on fossil fuels.

Wind Turbine Surge Protection

Wind Turbine Surge Protection

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/wind-turbine-surge-protection/

As global prices of nearly everything are being severely increased by inflation, we find there may be a renewed interest on the public’s part in developing alternative energy solutions. In the past, green energy was viewed as a method of replacing the methods used by power production companies that depleted the earth of fossil fuels. These methods also contribute to pollution, which cannot be denied even by those who do not believe pollution impacts the environment and changes it. While these concepts are certainly true, inflation has shifted the thought process to many to alternatives that are less expensive to produce. While we may only now be entering a time when the efficiency of green energy techniques are coming into line with fossil fuel production methods in terms of the cost to produce, the trajectory of the cost reduction shows promise that these methods can be further developed as a viable energy sources while also experiencing reduced prices. After all, the fuel used is “free,” with the only costs having to do with producing the methods of production, the actual operation, and the maintenance of the systems. The reason alternative energy was more expensive to maintain is the potential for damage in the field to the collection devices as a result of weather, specifically lightning and the resultant power surge. Through new techniques designed to not only create more robust systems that can better withstand weather patterns, but also by installation of industrial surge protection devices that can thwart the subsequent surges, there is a potential for less expensive alternative energy systems.

There are roughly 1700 active electrical storms globally at all times, and this translates to about 100 flashes of lightning per second. Lightning is the enemy of wind power, as it will generally choose the path of least resistance to the earth. A wind power production facility consists of wind towers that are designed to be tall and unobstructed, which allows better flow of the wind across the blades. This also makes those same towers the optimal choice for lightning to strikes as they are often the tallest structures in the area. The lightning will usually strike the blades of the turbine or the tower top, creating damage at that point. The lightning creates a power spike that then follows any conductive material from the strike point toward the earth, overwhelming the sensitive electronic equipment housed within the tower or connected to it by cables. The damage downstream from the strike point can be minimized or even eliminated through the integration of specialized wind turbine surge protection devices which will stop the  overvoltage and keep it from the connected equipment. By reducing damage to sensitive  circuits as well as the construction of blades from better composite materials, wind energy costs can be driven down significantly. By reducing the repair costs of the actual equipment as well as the labor to restore them to functionality, we will see the uptimes of production increase. This can create a power generation method that is less expensive and more efficient, which is necessary for the world in today’s climate.