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Page 75: 9 lightning protection
Lightning Protection
PSW-PWD ♦ ProSoft Software
User Manual
ProSoft Wireless Designer
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
Page 75 of 91
July 8, 2009
9 Lightning
Protection
In This Chapter
An Introduction to Lightning................................................................... 75
The Nature of Lightning.........................................................................76
Lightning Protection in General ............................................................. 76
Antenna Mounting ................................................................................. 76
Input Protection .....................................................................................77
Grounding..............................................................................................78
Mains and Power Supply Protection...................................................... 78
Summary ...............................................................................................78
Antenna manufacturers are often asked about lightning and whether their
antenna is lightning proof. This is not a simple question to answer. In this
application note we will attempt to describe some of the statistical properties of
lightning strikes and give some recommendations on how to best protect your
installation from damage due to a lightning strike.
It is important to point out at the start that lightning protection is primarily a
function of how much time and money you are willing to spend. Obviously, the
more expensive the radio and the importance of system connectivity, the more
robust your protection should be.
9.1
An Introduction to Lightning
Lightning has been around since the beginning of time. In fact, at this very
moment, lightning is striking somewhere on the earth. In the lower 48 US states
and Canada, lightning is most prevalent in Florida (with an average of 70 to 100
storm days per year!) and the Rocky Mountains especially in the Colorado area
(with an average of 70 storm days per year). In California and the Northern parts
of the USA and Canada the likelihood of encountering lightning diminishes to
about 10 to 30 storm days per year. Lightning is most common starting in the
spring and ending in the fall with a large peak in the summer but it can occur at
any time of the year.