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GAGING STATION ACCESSORIES
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Lightning Protection Equipment |
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Lightning is a major threat to gaging station
electronic devices and protection is necessary. A
lightning protection system helps ensure uninterrupted
data collection and helps minimize expensive repairs due
to lightning damage. Often lightning strikes are not only
direct but occur nearby along the river and travel to the
station. The dataloggers, pressure transducers, shaft
encoders have been designed with built-in surge and over
voltage protection but good grounding is by far the most
important aspect of lightning protection. Grounding,
bonding and shielding procedures are used to protect
instruments from damage and people from electrocution. A
low-resistance earth ground is the foundation of the
lightning protection system. The total grounding system
consists of four subsystems:
- Earth-electrode
- Equipment AC power-line fault-protection
- Lightning protection
- Signal reference (noise)
Earth resistance at the gaging station should be
inspected at least annually at the time when the highest
earth resistance is seen with cold, dry soil conditions.
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