Lightning [RE-wrenches]

[Ray Walters]

<x-flowed>
 

-----------------------------------------------------------
Give Your Team Access to Their PCs from Anywhere. Increase 
productivity with a secure remote-access solution from 
GoToMyPC Pro. Stay in touch with your office. FREE TRIAL:
http://click.topica.com/caaciqXbz8Qcsbz9JC9a/ExpertCity
-----------------------------------------------------------

Seems that sort of device would be dependent on humidity and temperature 
too. Sounds neat, but I wouldn't want to try it on a customer's system. I 
think you could set the air gap far enough to not arc at the nominal 
voltage, but testing it under all possible ambient conditions would be tricky.

Ray

At 01:46 AM 5/31/2004, you wrote:
>
>
>
>Hi Bill,
>             Thanks for that point.  I suppose I should have said that my
>main concern was for use on 12 to 60VDC systems.  I had not thought about
>the lightning ionizing the air to the point the DC could sustain the arc.
>Any other comments from anyone?
>
>Thanks,
>Bruce
>
>
>
>Bruce,
>
>Several years back John Berdner and I were discussing these types of
>"air-gap" surge arrestors. They are used heavily in Florida so Gator Tom may
>be able to chime in here. The problem with this concept is that they cannot
>be used on the DC side of the system. Once an arc is established, a 500 Volt
>PV system will easily maintain a 0.5 in air gap. Even at 60 volts, fairly
>large arc distances can be sustained. I think this rules them out on the DC
>side unless you are only planning to have lightning at night.
>
>Bill.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Apply now for a No-Annual-Fee Discover® Platinum Card 
0% Intro APR*, No Annual Fee, Up to 2% Cashback Bonus® 
award* Start Saving Today – APPLY NOW! It's fast, easy and 
secure. 
http://click.topica.com/caaciqQbz8Qcsbz9JC9f/Discover Card
-----------------------------------------------------------

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

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

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

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

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.bWljaGFl
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

For Topica's complete suite of email marketing solutions visit:
http://www.topica.com/?p=TEXFOOTER
--^----------------------------------------------------------------



</x-flowed>