We wrote the book on static solutions and lightning protection
Download the PDF A clear understanding of the operational theory of streamer-delaying products might lead the technology’s opponents to take another look and to devote some of their energy to figuring out how and why it works. Bruce A. Kaiser Six years ago there raged in these pages a debate over the benefits of static dissipation as […]
Download the PDF Single-point grounding is the most critical element of a three-part process involving effective bonding and grounding, transient voltage surge suppression and structural lightning protection. “Single-point grounding” is a current buzzword in protecting communications sites from the ravages of lightning and general ground transients. Bruce A. Kaiser, President of Lightning Master, Clearwater, Florida. […]
Download the PDF Operator Certification Test Advanced Extra Credit Question #6 You are the operator of a water treatment plant. The bearings on one of your submersible pumps fail frequently and apparently at random during the summer. The cause is A. incorrect alignment during installation B. tiny microorganisms with wrenches C. lightning The operator of […]
Download the PDF The bearings on a submersible pump at the Loxahatchee River District Wastewater Treatment Plant in South Florida were failing frequently and apparently at random during the summer. But after plant operators reviewed maintenance and weather records, they realized that the failures always occurred within 3 days of a suspected direct lightning strike […]
Download the PDF ByBruce A. Kaiser, President, Lightning Master Corp., Clearwater, Florida If your pipeline or distribution system is using microprocessor-based control systems, a properly designed, installed and maintained lightning protection system may be just the ticket to help ensure long-term reliability. That is because while pipeline facilities and related structures- with a few spectacular […]
Download the PDF On occasion in our industry, certain types of tanks explode or catch fire, sometimes, but not always, during electrical storms. These tanks include SWD, produced water, frac tanks and distillate tanks. The problem occurs with steel, lined-steel and fiberglass tanks. The two possible causes of these incidents point to static discharge and/or […]
Download the PDF In 2009, an operator in North Dakota began installing guided wave radar level sensors in fiberglass produced water tanks in their Sanish Field. The purpose of this installation was to secure compatibility with the company’s SCADA system, allow reading without climbing tanks, and secure additional accuracy and reliability. Unfortunately, after six months […]
Download the PDF LIGHTNING PROTECTION FOR EXTERNAL FLOATING ROOF TANKS BACKGROUND A lightning strike consists of two components: a short duration, high-energy spike, followed by a longer duration, lower energy tail (see graph). While the high-energy spike is truly impressive, it is the lower energy, long duration component that is actually responsible for ignitions in […]
Download the PDF In 2009, API 545, “Recommended Practice for Lightning Protection of Above ground Storage Tanks for Flammable or Combustible Liquids”, First Edition, replaced the lightning protection portion of API 2003, “Protection Against Ignitions Arising Out of Static, Lightning, and Stray Currents”. With the new Recommended Practice (RP) came the requirement for by-pass conductors […]