[BC] Lightning Prevention?????

[Bruce Doerle]

Fellow broadcasters,

Last week there was a brief debate on the merits of Charge Dissipation Devices (ie lightning prevention or avoidance systems).  The debate started in response to a message from Mr. Dana Whitehair of KUT, University of Texas.  Mr. Whitehair's message, mine, and others are shown below this initial paragraph grouping.

Of course, this raised some hairs on the manufacturer's of these products and number of messages took place in public and behind the scenes.  The end product of these messages attacked me and eluded to testimonials as evidence that their products work.  Most engineers and scientist know that CTS and ESE products do not work; they have not been endorsed by any professional scientific, regulatory, or standards body.  The manufacturers offer no scientific proof of their theories and claim their products performance by using testimonials as evidence that the product works.  However, there is a significant fault in this logic.  The testimonials are from unknowing persons who lack the knowledge to understand this questionable, unproven technology. 

My issue in this message is to open a debate on the merits of CTS (protection / avoidance) technology.  Lightning is an issue that most broadcast must deal with and how you deal with it will determine the safety and reliability issues of your broadcast site.  I do not believe that the claims made by CTS vendors is clearly understood in our broadcast community, and I would like to open this issue up for discussion.  I invite all interest parties to participate.  I encourage you to read the messages below to understand with who you are dealing.

Regards,

Bruce



>>> whiteshark at mail.utexas.edu 05/03/05 11:39 AM >>>

Greetings once again from Austin!

Did somebody say "lightning?"

Anyone have any experience or insight - or both -regarding current 
lightning "dissipation" systems vs. lightning "avoidance" systems?

The "crown of thorns" that once adorned our tower has lost a serious 
number of its thorns. I've been looking at replacing it, but have 
been contacted by Lightning Experts, Inc. about installing their 
"avoidance"-based system instead of the old dissipation system.

Any opinions? Experience? Ranting? Raving?

Thanks in advance, y'all!

DEW
-- 
Dana E. Whitehair
Manager of Technical Services
KUT 90.5 Austin/KUTX 90.1 San Angelo/www.kut.org
The University of Texas at Austin 


my response:

Dana,

Avoidance or charge dissapation devices do not work.  There is a lot of untruths and false claims on these products.  The key is they are not approved by professional body although they approved by UL for workmanship only.   Go to this website to learn why:

http://www.lightningsafety.com/index.html

I can provide you more websites to educate you these devices.

Regards,

Bruce

Bruce Doerle
Director of Engineering
WUCF-FM
Jazz & More 89.9
Orlando, Florida

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>>> "Lightning Experts" <LRD at lightningexperts.com> 05/04/05 3:26 PM >>>

Dear Bruce, 
 
This was not met for a rebuttal, as you put it. I am sorry you think this way, and also that you think we lack the knowledge, you are very sad.   May be, TV stations should try to hire an engineer with out a resume!!!!!!  GET IT.....Take care and get a life.....
 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Bruce Doerle 
To: dwhitehair at kut.org ; LRD at lightningexperts.com 
Cc: dhlightningexperts at sbcglobal.net 
Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2005 12:31 PM
Subject: Re: KUT tower system


Loius,
 
Thank you for including me on your email.  I appreciate the opportunity for rebuttal.
 
It is strange that you think my comments are funny when for years your industry has not been accepted by the knowledgeable scientific community.  No professional organization that promotes the standards for or overseas lightning protection (ie. IEEE or NFPA) considers charge dissipation devices or early streamer emitters as effective or that these devices have any scientific basis.
 
I feel it as wrong to promote a product on the testimonials by those who lack the knowledge to knowingly judge what they have.  I encourage Dana to look into the technology or lack thereof and make his own decision, but that decision should not be made on testimonials from the unknowing.  There are many organizations that can properly inform him of approved lightning protection techniques.
 
Regards,
 
Bruce

>>> "Lightning Experts" <LRD at lightningexperts.com> 05/04/05 10:34 AM >>>

Dear Dana, 
 
I had a chance to review everybody's statements about lightning protection.  I think its funny when someone makes a statement like below! We have been in this business (LIGHTNING PROTECTION) not engineering, for over 28 years.  I have attach just a couple of  testimonials for you and others to read, please keep in mind that we have been in this business for over 28 years and NO PROBLEMS with any CUSTOMERS.........in reference to protecting 
the sites from lightning hits.   Dana, only you can make the right decision. I wish you the very best, take care.   
 
Thank you,
 
Louis R. Diaz 
CEO/OWNER 
Lightning Experts, LLC
Toll Free: 1-800-681-2210
Voice: 352-797-0207
Fax: 352-797-0208
 
E-Mail: LRD at lightningexperts.com
 
www.lightningexperts.com

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Richard Tarney - RTLIGHTNINGEXPERTS at WI.RR.COM

----- Original Message ----- 
From: RICHARD A. TARNEY 
To: LOUIS DIAZ 
Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2005 4:16 PM


Sir,
I have been in the lightning protection business for more than 30 years and let me assure you that the technologies you dispell do indeed work!!!!!
I have no problem selling lightning rods, chem rods, surge suppression and dissipation devices. All these devices have a purpose and fortunately for those using them, it has been worthwhile or they wouldn't come back when they build another site.
Your negativity is well-known and we who are moving forward feel thankful that we look to the future knowing we are serving our community honestly and properly with observation, experience in the field, testimonial documentation( it's not nice to call these people liars) and other data collected over many years.
 
Please know that your naysaying is noted and not appreciated by those in the know!!!!!
 
Sincerely,
 
Richard A.Tarney