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Surge Protection For Cell Installations

Investing in their network is of utmost importance to a cellular provider. As the latest technological features become available, users realize that they can only have a good experience with these features if their network can handle them. For the most part, this means the fastest transfer speeds that are available, being accessible via cell installations that are nearby. This translates to users needing to be surrounded by 4G/5G network installations, every one of which costs tens of thousands of dollars, if not more. This incredible rollout of new equipment into the field may be able to be met with very slight price increases for customers but ultimately, customers cannot have monthly bills so high that they cannot afford them. The cellular network providers must remain competitive with their technology and prices, or customers will quickly move to a different company. This means that network providers must protect the equipment they have put into use from as many different forms of damage as possible. By analyzing the most significant risks, they can develop solutions to protect against the damage those risks can inflict. One of the greatest threats to cellular equipment in the field is lightning strikes and the power surges that follow them. The lightning strike is challenging to avoid, as the cell installations are often the tallest structure in a region. Lightning follows the path of least resistance to the Earth, meaning that the cell towers and installations that are purposefully positioned in unobstructed areas are usually the spots that will be struck. This damages equipment at the strike point, which is generally the top of the tower, impacting the equipment placed there. Even if the strike does not hit the cell tower directly, even a nearby lightning strike can travel to a cell site and wreck damage. While this damage is already placing stress on the bottom lines, the added complication of the damage caused by the lightning power surge makes profitability difficult. A power surge travels along the structure and the power cables that join the equipment on the tower site. The surge overwhelms these components at the circuit level, causing additional damage that can be eliminated if adequate surge protection is in place. By blocking the pathways that surges can follow, surge protection equipment “gets in the way” of the electrical flow as soon as it exceeds a range safe for that equipment. Installing effective surge protection diverts the surge and saves the components. Through this type of protection, the damage from the inevitable lightning strike can be minimized, allowing for faster restoration to operational status and a lower cost associated. This enables cell networks to keep their pricing within reason for ordinary citizens and supports cell customers loyal to the provider. All users can access the latest and greatest technology through effective surge protection.

Surge Protection For Cell Sites Matters

One of the most important developments with regard to cellular communication has been the development of surge protection that can not only divert a lightning surge but also not self-sacrifice after doing so. That may seem like a bold statement when you consider the technological wonders involved in the communications process. However, in reality, we all carry a supercomputer in our pockets today because of the profitability of the companies that connect us to the information we seek. In most cases today, that company is the cellular network provider. Without connectivity to the internet, our devices are no more than a camera that may store a few tidbits of information that cannot be shared with anyone else. The connection makes all the difference and keeping that connection alive and functioning is the single most important aspect of the process. Without profitability, there is no reason for companies to push the limits of the technology available and no reason for them to expand to the point of having coverage almost everywhere.

Profitability in the cellular network space depends on charging customers for the connection they are using. As technology evolves and brings new concepts to the table, the networks must be improved. This means continual investment in the networks to place new equipment into the field to provide data transfer speeds that will allow these new technologies to function. As a result of these investments, customers need to be charged a monthly fee that will cover the expenses, but that fee cannot be so much that the customers cannot afford it. This means that the network operators must find ways to adjust the expenses involved in the operation to keep prices down. The best method of doing this task is the conservation of the equipment in the field, protecting it from damage and drawing as long a life span as possible from it. This is where the integration of cell site surge protection comes in and proves itself to be so necessary. A leading cause of concern to equipment in the field is lighting strikes, which create damage at the strike point that is difficult to avoid. The strike itself produces a power surge that impacts other equipment within the installation that is directly connected to the equipment at the strike point. Because of this added level of damage, the costs to repair the equipment are escalated, and the downtimes of that cell installation are increased simply because more work needs to be done. By installing surge protection devices along the pathways the surges can travel, the equipment downstream can be protected from the damage that would otherwise be happening, thus conserving repair budget and giving cell network providers a greater possibility of profitability. This profit leads them to continue to invest in their business and roll out new equipment, making all new technology possible for the users.

Surge Protection For Cell Sites

Cell sites and towers are groupings of equipment and antennas that send and receive cell signals from users and transmit those signals to a network, where a connection to other users is facilitated. The way they work is relatively simple to understand but involves many complicated pieces of equipment to execute the actual function. The cell phone in the user’s hand sends and receives signals to a cell tower or site nearby. The closer to the user the site is, the stronger the signal is. This is because the signals that are transmitted and received degrade over distances, meaning that the user must be within range of a tower or site in order to receive any signal at all, and must be close in order to receive the best signal. For these reasons, cell networks position a large number of cell sites within a specific proximity of one another, so a user can always reach a tower or installation in most areas. The issues start to happen when one of those towers goes offline, forcing users to contend with gaps in coverage that will cause dropped calls or slow speeds due to weak signals. While there is a certain amount of redundancy built into the positioning of the cell sites, there is still a significant compromise of service if a site or tower is taken offline. For this reason, network providers take all the precautions they can to avoid the incidents known to cause outages and the need for repairs. And one thing that the operators are combating is lightning strikes because cell towers and other sites are generally the tallest things in an area. This is necessary to provide the best signal to users, but also makes them a prime target for lightning.

The strikes at the top of the towers damage the equipment at the top of the installation, generally damaging the antennas, remote radio heads, and transmitters. This alone will result in damage that must be repaired to restore functionality, but the added complication of the lightning power surges comes into play. The power surges that come with a strike will travel along connectivity cables between the connected equipment and further damage the other equipment. Often the damage to this equipment is not visible, so all the equipment must be tested by field techs for viability. Because of this, the repairs and restoration to service will cost more and take longer. Cell network providers understand this and have committed to installing the most effective surge protection along the pathways from the top to the bottom that power surges generally take. These systems can minimize the damage and isolate it to the top of the site. By reducing damage, the budget can be conserved, and the cell site can be restored to functionality faster. In the cell game, every second counts.

Cell Site Surge Protection Explained

Cell sites are critical parts of the infrastructure and require protection from the electrical surges that are caused by lightning strikes. Of course, there are multiple reasons for these cellular installations to stay online and functional. One of the most apparent is that if cell sites are offline, the business suffers losses because it must expend resources in order to restore functionality. Downtimes also lead to customer dissatisfaction, which can lead to revenue reductions. Another reason is that the public needs these installations to function at peak performance because they rely on these networks for their daily communication and in cases of emergency. When a site or tower goes offline, there is little ability for its workload to be taken up by other towers. Cell networks consist of millions of dollars worth of equipment, all of which must be positioned within a specific range of the user to be functional. The telecom carriers design these critical placements to provide optimum geography coverage. If a tower goes offline, the result is slow connectivity or dropped calls, and, at worst, an inability to connect as needed.

Of great concern for telecom operators are towers going offline due to lightning strikes on or near the towers. Because cell towers and their base station equipment need to provide the best connectivity to users on the ground, they are almost always one of the tallest structures in a region, making them prime targets for lightning strikes. Lightning seeks the path of least resistance to the earth, often striking the tallest structures during an electrical storm. A strike at a cell tower’s top damages the equipment positioned at the tower top, including the receivers, antenna, and remote-radio heads. But, this equipment is also directly connected to additional equipment at the bottom of the tower, namely the equipment that delivers signals to the network. A lightning strike also damages the equipment in the base station of the tower through the resultant surge. Through the connecting cables, power surges will travel along those connections, damaging the sensitive equipment at the top and bottom of the tower. By positioning industrial surge protection in areas that will direct the surges away from the sensitive equipment, any additional damage can be reduced or eliminated, isolating damage to the point of impact. This dramatically reduces the costs associated with repairs and facilitates a more timely restoration of functionality. By integrating surge protection devices within wireless cell sites, operators are assured that there will be fewer downtimes and reduced repair costs when the inevitable lightning strikes happen. This makes networks more functional for customers and makes the companies operating them more profitable. Installation of surge protection devices within cell sites is a win-win for everyone involved.

Cell Site Surge Protection

Surge protection for cell sites is one of the most critical aspects of the network protection equipment that keeps our cell phones functioning. Even though these systems are not technically part of the technological process that connects our calls or allows us to access the internet from our phones, they are integral to keeping other equipment in the overall network functional. Surge protection systems are installed because there is a significant threat of damage from lightning surges to cell sites in the field. Each year cellular network providers invest more and more into improving the network to keep customers happy. Customers demand access to the fastest data transfer speeds so that their devices can perform the latest technological functions, from streaming movies to uploading videos in 5K. All of these things were possible a few years ago, but with the network speeds, it was nearly impossible to accomplish them from a handheld device. Now that 5G has been rolled out to many major metro areas, we find that handsets have become far more powerful. They are more effevtive because they can now access data being moved across the network at a speed that makes the entire process palatable, which is what customers have now come to expect. Without the networks having upgraded equipment within existing installations and rolling out new installations simultaneously, customers would have become frustrated and possibly moved to a different carrier that could provide the speeds they wanted. For cell providers to remain competitive, they are forced to invest in new network infrastructure equipment often positioned in remote sites and in harm’s way.

Lightning strikes can be a significant source of damage to cellular installations. Because of their unobstructed and tall positioning, cell towers are a favorite target for lightning strikes. A strike that hits the top of the tower or installation will impact the functionality of antennas, transmitters, and remote radio heads. While this damage is difficult to minimize, what can be avoided is the power surge damage that results from the lightning strike. After the strike, a significant power surge moves through the installation, traveling nearly instantaneously along any surface that allows conductivity. Because there are many power cables and wires connecting the equipment from the top to the bottom, the surge easily flows to all equipment along that conductivity path. It is easy to damage this sensitive electronic equipment as it can only function with a specific level of electricity flowing into it. The power surge is far outside this range, so the equipment at the bottom is also heavily damaged in the case of a surge, complicating the restoration process and making it more expensive. Cell network providers have found that installing surge protection devices along these pathways can eliminate the damage to the equipment at the bottom of the installations, thus conserving the budget that would be spent on repairs. Making restoration easier can happen faster, keeping the facilities functional for more extended time frames. In addition, customers are kept happy through good connectivity and fair service prices.

Do Solar Panels Need Surge Protection?

Harnessing Solar Energy through Photovoltaic Power Production

Photovoltaic power production (PV power production) is the use of sunlight that ultimately produces electricity as a harnessed product. The photovoltaic aspect of the process involves solar panels positioned in areas which are positioned in areas exposed to ample amounts of sunlight, harnessed by the panel, and used to heat liquid within a sealed system. That liquid flows through the system as pressure builds, ultimately moving past turbines that are spun to generate the static charge. The electricity produced by PV systems uses a free energy source (the sun) to facilitate that movement and create the electrical product.

Through the use of a free and sustainable fuel source, several issues that have plagued power production for decades can be solved. First and most important is the fact that burning fossil fuels to create the same movement in turbines creates pollution and potentially negatively impacts the environment as a whole. This has been a concern for many years by those who see increased power production to satisfy the population’s growing needs as a significant contributing factor to many environmental problems. Second is the dwindling supply of things to burn, resulting from that shortage and the increased prices for fuel. This short supply translates to rising energy production costs and higher bills for consumers. This cost could be nearly eliminated by using a free fuel source like wind or solar.

Challenges and Costs: Lightning Strikes Cause Risks in Solar Power Production

The costs surrounding solar power production involve the equipment and mostly the repair and maintenance of that equipment. Because solar panels must be built in unobstructed places where they can best capture sunlight, they become the natural targets for lightning strikes. If solar panels are close to the lightning strike, the resulting surge can get to the installation via underground cables even if it does not directly strike the installation. While a direct strikes will cause the apparent destruction of the panel being struck, a far more costly expense is that the massive lightning surge from the strike gets to all the other equipment in the park.

This power surge moves along the connectivity lines that join the panels with the sensitive equipment used in the process, overwhelming and damaging it. Lightning leads to not only the need for equipment repair at the panel but also can lead to system downtime taking the system offline due to damage. Because the system is not producing even though the free fuel source is available, losses in the production of the actual product occur. Not having the ability to produce power makes the systems less efficient and limits the capacities created for a fixed price. Because of the associated cost of repair and maintenance, solar can cost more than fossil fuels in many cases. Through the integration of PV surge protection solutions at the installation, these costs can be dramatically reduced, leading to a more viable method of energy production and a reduced cost.

Photovoltaic Surge Protection For Budget Conservation

Balancing Environmental Conservation and Economic Efficiency

The solar power generation industry has been continually evolving over the past 30 years, albeit slower than most conservationists would like. There are two major reasons to promote developing initiatives like solar and wind power. One is from those seeking methods to reduce the pollutants that harm the atmosphere and air that impact us all. The other is concerned about money and profits and the creation of a technique of power production that can use fuel sources that are less expensive than the current technology requires.

Although these two camps are not necessarily pushing for wind and solar technology development for the same reasons, they both support and assist in developing improved methods to serve their goals. Creating power that does not damage the earth or the health and well-being of those who live on it certainly positions itself as a goal worth working for, the only ones not supporting this goal being those whom the reduction of the current methods would impact. Unfortunately, the promotion of a “replacement” technology will eventually replace the old methods, and those benefiting from those methods will do everything in their power to stagnate that change unless they also have a stake in the game.

Those seeking a more profitable process of power production might not have much concern for the environment. Still, their desire to create a better product with less overhead also puts them at odds with the existing methods unless they are the same company seeking ways to improve their own businesses. Either way, the proponents for the evolution of the industry face push-back from the existing industry, who seek to slow progress to keep their own companies floating until they can take advantage of the new power systems themselves.

One of the more significant improvements to the technology involved in power production using green methods is the integration of appropriate surge protection devices. A large cost associated with the process of creating solar or wind power can be the repair and replacement of equipment damaged in the field by natural weather events like lightning strikes. Solar panels are positioned in remote and unobstructed areas so as to function at their full capacity when harnessing sunlight.

Being positioned out in the open also makes solar panels prime targets for lightning strikes, destroying the panels and generating power surges that can travel along the equipment connectivity cables. Unfortunately, these lines connecting control equipment to the panels also serve as pathways for electricity overvoltage to flow into unwanted places. This electrical surge following the strike negatively impacts the circuitry of the computerized equipment connected to the panels, exacerbating the damage caused by a strike.

The integration of technologically advanced surge protection devices such as Raycap’s Strikesorb technology, averts this damage and allows the solar industry to evolve faster. Those seeking cheaper methods of power production without the use of fossil fuels are getting closer to the goal with new solar power technologies and advanced protection. Expanded evolution and use of solar power will fuel more development and help drive costs down.

PV Surge Protection Devices

The Essential Role of Photovoltaic Surge Protection Systems

Photovoltaic surge protection systems are integrated into the functional system and equipment chain within solar farms to achieve a more viable bottom line. This means that the integration of PV surge protection is critical to maintaining profitability. The natural occurrences that impact solar farms can quickly turn a profitable business in the opposite direction. Lightning strikes are unpredictable, so there is no way to thwart the damage they may cause except by being continually prepared at all times.

Lightning strikes and the resultant surge damage can be minimized through the integration of effective surge protection devices to avert the flow of electricity surges. The damage at the strike point itself is not the main issue at hand; instead, the power surge that follows causes the majority of the damage in a typical situation. The power surge can completely overwhelm control and data equipment that is involved in the process and is directly connected to the equipment positioned in the field through data lines and power cables.

Consequences of Overvoltage: Equipment Damage, Performance Degradation, and Financial Implications

In the case of a lightning strike, these cables and wires designed to allow functional electrical flow are overwhelmed by the extra electricity generated when the strike hits a nearby target. Induced electrical currents will make it onto those lines and come into contact with the equipment. Because that equipment is designed to operate only within a specific range of electrical power, the surge that happens goes outside the safe range and damages the circuitry of that equipment.

As a result of that overvoltage incident, the equipment itself is either permanently damaged and requires replacement or degraded. Over time, its performance suffers if the surge is not large enough to destroy it completely. The performance degradation also comes as a result of switching errors and other events that cause minor fluctuations in power, over time reducing the functional life span of the devices significantly. Either way, the equipment will need to be replaced eventually, and the operator may not even be aware of it. Ultimately excess surges in power will cost a business more money than it would have spent had it protected the equipment in the first place with adequate surge protection.

Additionally, the systems will not typically be functional when critical parts of the equipment chain go offline. This creates a situation where the system is not producing power even though the energy source is present. All moments that photovoltaic equipment is offline while the sun is shining are a lost opportunity for the business. Thus, protecting the equipment in the field with the best surge protection results in greater profitability. Keeping systems protected from overvoltage events will always be better in the long run because systems will experience less downtime and businesses will spend less on field maintenance.

PV Surge Protection

Mitigating High-Risk Factors in Solar Power Plants Through Robust Electrical Protection

High-risk factors continually plague solar power plants, placing them at the potential for damage. The most impactful of these risk factors are their remote locations and extensive layouts potentially damaged by inclement weather and electrical storms. In addition, these facilities’ equipment damage due to indirect lightning strikes is a significant operating risk. A single strike can take a PV installation offline for days, if not weeks, resulting in substantial losses and power interruptions. To avoid significant damage as a result of a lightning strike, PV plant operators should install adequate electrical protection throughout the system.

Lightning strikes near these facilities, which are placed in open areas in order to capture as much sunlight as possible, generate massive power surges that propagate onto cables and wiring structures, sending large pulses of electricity through the system. These pulses can severely damage sensitive components such as inverters, PV modules, control units, and data communications systems. For the most part, the damage resulting from these overvoltage incidents is immediate, resulting in shutdowns and complete losses of functionality.

Critical Impacts of Poor Surge Protection on PV Plants

Other failures may be delayed, adding to the cumulative effect of repeated exposure to these incidents. This degradation of equipment functionality leads to a shorter life span of individual components that must be repaired or replaced before the fully vested lifespan. Whether the damage is immediate or delayed, the result is the same, with systems going offline and creating losses.

Surge protective devices that are tasked with reducing the impacts of overvoltage events must be up to the task, as there are always threats of significant losses if they are not. Inappropriate or ineffective surge protection is a major issue that can impact the bottom line of PV plant operations, ultimately leading to unachieved power production. Any extended downtimes due to long lead times waiting for replacement parts, or revenue losses during those downtimes, can cripple a business.

The Crucial Role of Advanced Surge Protection in Preserving Solar PV Investments

High costs associated with repairing and replacing damaged PV equipment also have grievous impacts on the profitability of a business. Allowing the surge protection systems tasked with avoiding these issues to fail at their singular job puts the entire business at risk for increased maintenance costs and unexpected malfunctions. Inverter manufacturers have already become aware of the benefits of integrating technologically advanced surge protection systems and devices to protect their equipment.

The risks can be minimized by expanding the protection networks to cover as many potential pathways of power surge travel as possible. Integrating advanced surge protection for PV systems throughout the entire facility will not only assure less interruption but will ultimately save the operational budget in the long run. Keeping the lights on keeps the revenue flowing.

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PV Surge Protection is the Answer to Greater Capacities

Solar Power’s Capacity: Challenging Misconceptions and Reliability Concerns

One of the biggest criticisms of solar power generation is that it cannot single-handedly power a large metropolitan area without the added assistance of a fossil fuel backup. There is too much consumption of power happening in these major metro areas for solar power generation techniques to satisfy. There is a logic that says that, as a result, solar energy cannot be trusted as the only method of electricity creation. Those who benefit from the fossil fuel production methods use this messaging to convince the public that there is no way that solar or green technology can power major cities, with the ultimate goal of keeping their existing power generation methods in place.

Fomenting a mistrust of technology to solve issues is a way to curtail the spread of technological advances. The truth is that solar power could generate enough capacity to power major metro areas without assistance as long as it is functioning at full capacity. This situation relies upon the solar power equipment staying online and functional for as long as the sun is present during the day and not being taken offline by ancillary events that create outages. The downtime limits the production of power in most solar farms, and that downtime is often created as a result of weather events such as lightning strikes. A strike to the exposed solar panels creates damage that can be repaired relatively quickly.

Mitigating Lightning Strikes for Enhanced Reliability

However, the lightning strike’s power surge is more insidious, adding to the system damage and making repairs more difficult. With every lightning strike comes a massive surge in power that travels along the connectivity cables that join panels and the control equipment. This electrical surge then destroys the circuitry of those devices, adding to the amount of cost that must be spent on repair and the downtime that will be seen between strike and full restoration. Every second that is lost from production creates less power that can be consumed by the public, meaning that the real problem isn’t the ability to produce enough power. It is the ability to stay online while accessible fuel sources are present. We find that these capacities can be vastly increased by integrating high-tech surge protection for PV systems, as the damage can be limited.

By integrating these surge protection devices along the critical pathways, electricity can flow, and the damage to the equipment can be minimized if not completely avoided. This requires only the panel itself to be replaced to fully restore functionality, drawing a far larger capacity for power production out of each PV system. The use of effective surge protection can minimize damage and ultimately maximize the capabilities of PV power to the point of it easily powering a major metro area. The eventual replacement of fossil fuel power will come as civilization moves closer to utilizing the full capacity of PV power plants.

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