Placement of lightning rods [RE-wrenches]

[David Palumbo, Independent Power & Light]

Solar Ray wrote...
 <<Lightning is the the number one real danger from my
experience. Delta Lighting arrestors are fairly ineffective for equipment
protection. Their clamp off voltage is just too high. >>

We had serious lightning damage on a large system last summer. We brought in
a Lightning Protection Professional (UL Certified). He does not feel that
Delta's SOV's are effective. Here is a direct quote from his written report
to the homeowner.
	"While most installers have completely ignored lightning protection, your
system is well grounded, with grounding interconnected between panels and
buildings, and lightning arrestors installed. While the existing Delta
lightning arrestors would probably prevent a fire starting from lightning
hitting the PV panels, they are not nearly sensitive enough to protect the
sensitive components in the Kohler generator, PV charge controllers, and the
power inverters. Unfortunately , with PV systems being a relatively small,
young industry, there are not many choices for protecting them. The
lightning arrestor/surge suppresser industry is also small and young, with
few standards or regulations. I have often heard negative comments about
Delta, and have opened them up to be unimpressed with the findings.
Recently, I obtained their catalog, checked out their website, and spoke
with their representatives. I can now confidently say these are inadequate
to protect your system from lightning. Enclosed with this report is
information about a Polyphaser protector. Polyphaser has been making
protectors for many years, to protect military and communication operations
that are hit by lightning repeatedly, while suffering little or no damage."
....Will Priestley, Priestley Lightning Protection, 1280 Cape Moonshine
Road, Piermont, NH 03779 Ph #(603)764-5504voice, 9314 fax.

David Palumbo

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