Lightning Protection Device Safety Management of Wireless Surveillance Equipment
September 10 08:57:11, 2025
Lightning can be categorized into direct lightning, static induction lightning, electromagnetic induction lightning, and ball lightning. Lightning is characterized by high current amplitude, steep current rise, and significant voltage surges. The consequences of lightning can be severe, including damage to equipment and infrastructure, large financial losses, fires or explosions, and even direct harm to humans and animals. As a result, wireless monitoring systems that are deployed outdoors for extended periods require enhanced lightning protection measures.
Various structures, especially those at high risk of fire or explosion, or those frequently struck by lightning—such as loading platforms, open storage tanks, oil tanks, and outdoor facilities—should implement protective measures against direct lightning strikes. Similarly, high-voltage power lines, large construction sites, wireless monitoring equipment in mountainous or forested areas, power plants, and substations must also adopt effective lightning prevention strategies. For buildings with high fire or explosion risks, protection against induced lightning is essential. Transformer rooms and buildings with explosive hazards should take additional steps to prevent lightning surges from entering the premises.
**Lightning Protection Measures**
Depending on the type of threat—direct lightning, lightning-induced voltages, or lightning surge waves—different protective measures should be applied.
**(1) Direct Lightning Protection Measures:**
1. **Lightning Rods:** These are used to protect high-rise buildings, power plants, and external electrical equipment in substations, as well as specific sections of transmission lines. Lightning rods guide the lightning current safely to the ground, reducing the chance of it striking sensitive equipment or structures. Essentially, they act as a conductor that draws lightning away from critical areas, ensuring the safety of wireless monitoring devices and buildings.
2. **Lightning Conductors (Overhead Ground Wires):** Installed along the top of transmission towers, these are well-grounded metal wires that serve as the primary defense against lightning on power lines. They are also commonly used in wireless monitoring systems to provide an additional layer of protection.
3. **Lightning Protection Belts and Nets:** Metal grids installed on rooftops, corners, ridges, and eaves help protect tall buildings from lightning strikes. These systems are also suitable for indoor wireless monitoring equipment, offering an effective means of lightning protection for structures exposed to frequent lightning activity.
**(2) Induced Lightning Protection Measures:**
Induced lightning can generate dangerous high voltages, potentially leading to fires or explosions. To mitigate this, all metal equipment, pipes, and structural steel within buildings should be properly grounded. To prevent parallel pipe induction, metal wires should be used to connect pipes at appropriate intervals. If the distance between a pipeline and a metal structure is less than 100 mm, bridging with metal wire is necessary. Additionally, joints, elbows, and other contact points should also be bridged to ensure reliable grounding and reduce the risk of damage caused by lightning.
**(3) Protection Against Lightning Surge Waves:**
Lightning-induced surge waves are a common cause of electrical system failures, accounting for over 70% of such incidents. To address this, protective devices such as valve arresters, gap arresters, and tube arresters are widely used. Since wireless monitoring equipment often relies on electrical power, protecting the power system is crucial for safeguarding the entire monitoring setup. Implementing these measures ensures the continued operation and safety of the equipment during thunderstorms.