[BC] Where the lightning goes

[Dave Hultsman]

In a message dated 5/12/05 12:05:28 A.M. Central Daylight Time, 
broadcast-request at radiolists.net writes:
One of the things that came up in June of 2003 was an interesting demo clip 
from Hitachi.  I was wondering from this group what they thought of this 
demonstration:

http://bellsouthpwp.net/B/r/BroadCastDesign/lightning/Hitachi_prevention_video_clip.wmv. 


Any comments?  I believe Mr. Mousa, BTW who is the moderator of the 
LightningProtection group and who has posted here today, will comment since 
this clip came from him, but I would hope he would wait until others have 
given their thoughts.

Thanks,

Bruce

************************************

I guess there can be many comments both ways.  It appears that the voltages 
developed on the static ball are neutralized (or Drained) when the 
dissipator approaches the ball.  I guess the voltages used could also be a 
consideration...

I have seen a lot of sites and am amazed at the solutions attempted that 
fail and also what finally works.   Also I am amazed what works for one 
area of town or the state will not be appropriate for another area.

One of the neatest devices is the Strike monitor that Lyncole or one of the 
companies makes.  I recall one station engineer that installed one of those 
and was amazed at how many hits he had.  The consultant explained that many 
of those logged were static discharges.

Also some may recall when the ERI "rototiller" antenna first came out they 
didn't have the 1/4 wave stub on the antenna.  On transmitters with their 
antenna loading pickups that were not at ground started experiencing arcing 
within the PA's causing overloads.  These overloads were due to the static 
build up on the end of the insulated antenna elements and going to ground 
all the way down the tower in the PA cavity.  ERI added the 1/4 wave stub 
to the antenna.  Prior ERI models were grounded.

Good discussion,  I think our conclusion will be that the ELEPHANT goes 
where IT wants.

Dave Hultsman