How about Lightning Damage? [RE-wrenches]

[Joel Davidson]

There are three basic methods for lightning protection: direct strike
interception, proper equipment grounding and terminal protection with
surge arrestors. Direct strike interception with lightning rods is not
generally used on PV systems. There was a small off-grid solar array
installed by Billy Cerritos at the White Sands National Park in 1986
with with a lightning rod that the Park Service required (see the
picture in my book page 150). Even the Florida Solar Energy Center at
Cape Canaveral does not recommend lightning rods and Florida gets lots
of thunderstorms.

graham at solarexpert.com wrote:
> 
> Jerry Caldwell wrote:
> > Has anyone ever seen a module pigtail of USE-2 with
> > the insulation totally cooked off the wire for several
> > inches?  Is this likely to be lightning damage?
> >
> > Also, what brands & models of lightning arrestors
> > would wrenches recommend, or not recommend for use
> > with Sunny Boy or other high voltage systems?
> >
> > Jerry Caldwell
> 
> Jerry,
> 
> Arcing from loose connection, or possibly moisture intrusion most likely
> caused the burnt USE pigtail.
> 
> We use Delta AC surge arrestors for installations in Los Angeles.  We
> install the cans on the AC disconnect. Here there is a much greater
> likelihood of an AC line surge from the grid than a lightning strike.  I
> think most inverter manufacturers specify their protection preferences
> in the installation manual.
> 
> Graham
> 
> - - - -
> To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> 
> Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/
> 
> List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm
> 
> Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html
> 
> Hosted by Home Power magazine
> 
> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
> 

- - - -
To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

List rules & etiquette: http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com

==^================================================================
This email was sent to: michael.welch at homepower.com

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail!
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register
==^================================================================