Lightning protection [RE-wrenches]

[Joel Davidson]

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Travis, 
Smart move. Years before I got into PV, I used lightning protection on
communications equipment at the antenna or outside connection point and
again at the equipment input. In the Arkansas Ozarks, I put arrestors at
the array and at the equipment input and still recommend to customers in
lightning territory to do the same plus good earth grounding. Everyone who
did had no lightning problems. Almost everyone who did not, got fried
equipment.
Joel Davidson

Original Message:
-----------------
From: Travis Creswell, Ozark Solar ozsolar at ipa.net
Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2005 15:05:52 -0500
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: RE: Lightning protection [RE-wrenches]


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We've put Delta's on each end of the array run for years. One at the
combiner box and one right before the charge controller.  No problems with
lightning since we started that.  About that same time we upgraded our
grounding techniques way above manufacturer recommendations and NEC.  So all
I can really say is that both of them together are working great.

Travis Creswell
Ozark Energy Services, Inc.

-----Original Message-----
From: Drake Chamberlin [mailto:solar at ecoisp.com] 
Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2005 12:58 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Lightning protection [RE-wrenches]

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On an array in a lightning intensive area we have beefed up the grounding 
system and added extra surge protection.

Would it be a good idea to put a surge protector on the array itself.  The 
array is protected by an Outback ground fault protection system (OBDC 
GFP/2), so that the circuit could possibly open on a surge.  We would put 
the surge protector on the combiner box, which is a disconnect with 
cartridge fuses.

My concern is that the frame of the array will connect to the circuit 
conductors if the protector clamps.  As I understand the issue, the frame 
is the first part of the array to become energized.  If the system clamps 
due to high voltage on the frame, could it back feed static from the frame 
into the system?

Or could we figure the ground rods will dissipate the static before this 
becomes a problem?  Or since both circuit conductors and the frame will all 
be at the same potential if the surge arrestor clamps, would that alleviate 
the problem?

Thanks,

Drake   

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