Telecommunication System:
Telecommunication plays a major role in the industrial revolution which we are currently undergoing - INDUSTRY 4.0. Industrial automation involves communication of the each and every machine with the central hub which helps to monitor and analyse the issues even without direct intervention. The automation is even extended to individual homes which results in SMART HOMES. Thus, the telecommunication devices have become very essential components of our day-to-day life.
Overall Lightning Protection System:
The towers used for telecommunication will be taller than the remaining structures in the premises to avoid the obstacles and interference to the signals which will be transmitted received through the antenna. These metallic towers are more prone to lightning strikes because of their position and height of the structures and the electronic devices used for transmitting and receiving the data are very sensitive to impulse surges. Hence a complete lightning protection system is very essential for the telecommunication towers to provide uninterrupted and efficient service. The complete protection includes,
1) Properly designed and executed external lightning protection system.
2) Installing Surge protection devices for both power line and data line and
3) Providing a good ground reference.
Positioning of air terminal and equipotential bonding shall be implemented as per IS/IEC 62305.
In order to reduce the differences in potential caused due to lightning current, equipotential bonding of conductive parts has to be done either by bonding directly or through surge protection devices.
The telecommunication towers are made up of conductive material and it has transmitter and receiver which is electronic equipment. For protecting the tower from physical damages due to direct lightning strikes, air terminals shall be installed at the top of the tower. For protecting the devices from surges, SPDs shall be installed for both power line and data line.
IS/IEC 62305 part 3 suggests that a single earth termination system shall be used for external lightning protection system, SPDs, telecommunication devices and the tower body. Single earth termination system does not mean the presence of single earth electrode. The different earth electrodes used for LPS, SPD, Tower are bonded below the ground level to form a single earth termination system.
Follow Us