Lightning damage to electronic systems: Difference between revisions
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== Risk == | |||
Lightning is responsible for over a billion dollars in property damage every year. Lightning risk is a function of the area of a structure, the height and the number of strikes per year per square mile for the region. Churches are usually the tallest structure in a given area. In addition, a church may also have a bell tower or tall spire that can double the structure's height. | |||
== Causes == | == Causes == | ||
Lightning damage is uncommon, but it can occur to any electronic device. We suggest that you unplug all electronic products during storms, especially if you are concerned about it or if you live in an area with frequent and/or severe electrical storms. As with any valuable equipment purchase, you should review your insurance policy to be sure that your bell ringing equipment is covered for fire, theft, vandalism or damage due to electrical storms. | Lightning damage is uncommon to Chime Master installations, but it can occur to any electronic device. We suggest that you unplug all electronic products during storms, especially if you are concerned about it or if you live in an area with frequent and/or severe electrical storms. As with any valuable equipment purchase, you should review your insurance policy to be sure that your bell ringing equipment is covered for fire, theft, vandalism or damage due to electrical storms. | ||
Bell ringing equipment damage usually comes in on the AC power line. Our current products rarely suffer lightning damage of this type, except for an occasional blown fuse. Other voltage spikes conducted through speaker line typically go no farther than the amplifier and the speaker drivers themselves. Speaker wiring should be routed on the opposite corner of the tower from the lightning and structural ground conductors. Long parallel wire runs essentially become a large transformer that can couple damaging spike currents from one to the other. | Bell ringing equipment damage usually comes in on the AC power line. Our current products rarely suffer lightning damage of this type, except for an occasional blown fuse. Other voltage spikes conducted through speaker line typically go no farther than the amplifier and the speaker drivers themselves. Speaker wiring should be routed on the opposite corner of the tower from the lightning and structural ground conductors. Long parallel wire runs essentially become a large transformer that can couple damaging spike currents from one to the other. | ||
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You should have a certified lightning expert check your structure for adequate protection. You can find more information on lightning protection from the following web resources. | You should have a certified lightning expert check your structure for adequate protection. You can find more information on lightning protection from the following web resources. | ||
* [http:// | * [http://lightning.org Lightning.org - The Lightning Protection Institute] | ||
** [http://lightning.org/?s=ground+inspection&submit=Go Importance of inspections] | ** [http://lightning.org/?s=ground+inspection&submit=Go Importance of inspections] | ||
** [http://lightning.org/find-an-installer/ Locate a certified Lightning Professional near you] | ** [http://lightning.org/find-an-installer/ Locate a certified Lightning Professional near you] | ||
* [http://www.nfpa.org National Fire Protection Association] | |||
** [http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=780 NFPA 780 Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems] | |||
Revision as of 16:34, 6 December 2017
Risk
Lightning is responsible for over a billion dollars in property damage every year. Lightning risk is a function of the area of a structure, the height and the number of strikes per year per square mile for the region. Churches are usually the tallest structure in a given area. In addition, a church may also have a bell tower or tall spire that can double the structure's height.
Causes
Lightning damage is uncommon to Chime Master installations, but it can occur to any electronic device. We suggest that you unplug all electronic products during storms, especially if you are concerned about it or if you live in an area with frequent and/or severe electrical storms. As with any valuable equipment purchase, you should review your insurance policy to be sure that your bell ringing equipment is covered for fire, theft, vandalism or damage due to electrical storms.
Bell ringing equipment damage usually comes in on the AC power line. Our current products rarely suffer lightning damage of this type, except for an occasional blown fuse. Other voltage spikes conducted through speaker line typically go no farther than the amplifier and the speaker drivers themselves. Speaker wiring should be routed on the opposite corner of the tower from the lightning and structural ground conductors. Long parallel wire runs essentially become a large transformer that can couple damaging spike currents from one to the other.
Bells hung on improperly grounded frames can receive high static charges that can dissipate through the electric ground wires. The purpose of electrical grounding conductors are to prevent shock hazards and they should never be carriers of high potential atmospheric charges. The spikes they carry to the electrical system can cause damage beyond the ringing equipment into sensitive IT, phones and other musical instruments.
Remedies
Metal framing within the tower structure needs to be bonded to an earth grounding rod, and the bell frame should be adequately bonded to the structural ground. Lightning rods should also be used and bonded to the main conductor leading to the grounding rod.
You should have a certified lightning expert check your structure for adequate protection. You can find more information on lightning protection from the following web resources.