The Importance of Internal Lightning Protection Systems and Their Technical Necessity of Use
29 December 2014
Important Points Regarding Lightning Protection and Grounding in Solar Power Plants
3 January 2015
Low-current systems are systems to which we entrust our property and life safety in our daily lives, and whose sustainable and uninterrupted operation is extremely important. CCTV camera, security, and automation systems are also among the systems that are most frequently disabled due to lightning strikes and grid surges. For example, do you know how often MOBESE systems, which cover the entire city, experience failures? Or that the automation system, which is the most strategic point of a factory or facility, can be disabled by a surge occurring within nanoseconds? Economically very costly systems are repeatedly disabled and forced to be renewed due to sudden overvoltage surges. Leaving aside the economic aspect, when we evaluate the situation from the perspective of human life, facility, and occupational safety, the sustainability of these systems must absolutely be ensured. Therefore, data, coaxial, and power lines must be protected with surge protection devices.
Protecting data centers against lightning and overvoltage is of great importance.
So How Should Data Centers Be Protected Against Lightning and Overvoltage?
Unfortunately, the emergence of the need for protection is inversely proportional to technological developments. The reason for this is that, in parallel with technological advancements, the operating voltages of electronic devices—which have become very small in size—have also dropped to much lower voltage levels. It is well known that during the historical transition from vacuum tube devices to transistor-based structures and integrated circuits, the operating voltages of components used on electronic boards decreased from 3000V to 24 Volts and even down to 5 V DC. Therefore, there has been a transition toward increasingly sensitive electronic devices. Since voltage surges caused by the switching of electrical energy (inductive loads) or lightning discharges in natural events (up to 200 kA) have not decreased proportionally with technological miniaturization, we must equip our systems and equipment with the necessary protective devices to protect them from these adverse effects. While a camera system or automation system operates at voltage levels such as 24 volts or 48 volts, sudden surges at 20 times these values can disable entire systems. Data centers are the brain of a facility; at a point where information is extremely critical, the entire system being disabled for this reason represents a very significant loss for a company.
Protection of the data center with internal lightning protection systems
Our known surge characteristics are divided into two main types: 8/20 microseconds and 10/350 microseconds. In accordance with TSE 62305 standards and IEC 61643 standards, we must provide Class 1, 2, and 3 protection in stages with appropriate test values. In all systems, power, data, and coaxial lines must be protected bidirectionally. While power protections are connected in parallel to the system, data and coaxial protections are integrated in series.
When protecting data centers against lightning and overvoltage, an internal lightning protection system must absolutely be used.
Protection of CCTV Systems Against Overvoltage
Considering camera systems, first of all, we should install products with a minimum protection capacity of 50 kA, using Spark Gap technology, providing protection in Class 1+2 10/350+8/20 curves, to the main power panel supplying the camera system (generally single-phase systems). The connection at this point should be made with a cable of at least 16 mm² cross-section. Then, sensitive energy protection must be applied in the camera endpoint box located next to the camera, and a Class 3 energy protection product with VF 230 characteristics should be installed here. After energy protection, depending on the type of camera, we should adapt a protection product suitable for CAT or BNC inputs and protect the camera by providing a series connection.
Protection of Automation Systems
In automation systems, we are obliged to first select the appropriate product by considering the system’s continuous voltage and determining the Up protection level. Sensitive energy protection classes are available such as 5V, 12V, 24V, 48V, and 230V. For example, if we are protecting a PLC, a lightning barrier must be integrated in series before all incoming lines to the PLC. Here, the current characteristics of the products and the specifications of the PLC are important factors in product selection.
According to data obtained from insurance companies, 80% of automation system damages are caused by sudden overvoltage.
In data centers, protection must be applied to every CAT 6 power line. Products should be selected according to the transmission speed of the cables based on the system structure. The main power panel, CAT5-6 RJ45 lines, socket outlets, and telephone exchanges must be protected.
In addition, all card access systems, communication modules, DVR systems, and monitoring centers can be protected against overvoltage and lightning. Within RAYCAP, there are thousands of different internal lightning protection products. What needs to be done is selecting the appropriate product according to the system structure. Expert engineering support is extremely important in this regard. You can benefit from our free survey and system design services within this framework.
