Can AM antenna cause arcing to adjacent steel?

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jkim780

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I have a client that claiming AM antenna adjacent to building cause arcing to dome steel? Could this be true? I have very little knowledge on this matter so I need some advice.

He claims that during erection of dome steel, there was an arcing caused by adjacent AM antenna.

Could some thing else be responsible for this?

Is there any height or distance restriction on this type of equipment? perhaps FCC regulations?

Any input would be appreciated.
 
I assume this is a transmitting antenna (?)

There are very specific rules and regulations for transmitters as far as height, output power, clearances, etc. These stations are regulated by the FCC.

NEC Article 810 covers some of this also, but primarily concerned with amateur radio transmitters. Hams very rarely transmit using AM anymore, so I suspect you are referring to a commercial broadcast AM station.
 
Is it possible? Slight, but possible under extraordinary conditions. For example the Tower or AM station would have to be a high power broadcast station like a Clear Channel AM broadcast like KVOO (Tulsa), WOR (New York), one of the few 50 KW stations, or Military. All are few and far between. In addition the dome would likely have to be at some odd 1/4 wavelength multiple of the fundamental frequency of the station.

Question back at you. Is the air dry and windy when the arc happens?
 
Don,
Very interesting article. Thank you.

dereckbc,
I don't have exact info. on weather condition, but I would say it was dry. Wheare are you going with this? static charges?
 
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