[BVARC] Lightning Strike Prevention
Karl Bernard
karl.bernard at gmail.com
Thu May 27 10:30:05 CDT 2021
I recommend ARRL insurance - very affordable:
https://www.arrlinsurance.com/
I just recently signed up, but I bought it after speaking to someone that
had made 2-3 claims on it over the years and they paid out with no fuss
every time.
Karl
W5KMB
On Wed, May 26, 2021 at 7:16 PM Keith Dutson via BVARC <bvarc at bvarc.org>
wrote:
> Some useful info in this post, but shows lack of facts. For example, it
> is well known and documented that lightning can strike from cloud to ground
> and vice versa.
>
> My station has been damaged by lightning several times. The worst damage
> was in May, 2019, when a large bolt struck my 150 foot tower. This was
> witnessed by my daughter and her husband who were outside at the time. The
> station furniture in the shack was being moved at that time and there were
> no antennas connected. However, all units were plugged into power and
> connected to computers. ALL computers and transceivers were destroyed, and
> the linear amplifiers were damaged in the power supply section. There were
> several signs of lightning flashover at signal and power connections. I
> was standing in the shack at the time of the strike, and there was no
> sound, but it felt like the time in military basic combat training where
> I felt the concussion of dynamite blasts.
>
> Now I have relay controlled disconnect of power and antennas for all
> stations. The disconnect grounds antennas and rigs.
>
> I did collect insurance. The claim was for about $25,000, and I got about
> $22,000 after deductible.
>
> 73, Keith NM5G
>
> On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, 09:40:06 AM CDT, Will Gray via BVARC <
> bvarc at bvarc.org> wrote:
>
>
> There are lots of books on the subject and plenty of examples
> visible around major electrical installations of how to prevent damage by
> lightning. Lightning occurs when there is a large charge difference
> present, normally caused by rain carrying electrons from clouds to ground.
> If there is no path to deplete the charge and when the charge is great
> enough, the electrons go back to the more positively charged area of the
> clouds above. The strike is from ground to cloud. The use of several
> ground rods tied together and connected to power grounds, water pipes, gas
> pipes, and the antenna system tends to deplete the charge to the earth,
> preventing the strike. Unplug, disconnect and ground your equipment.
> During an electrical storm stay away from doors, windows and chimneys. Get
> in your vehicle and close the doors.
>
> Safety!
> Will Gray, KB7QL
>
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