Lightning Rods in Parking Lots

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ISSLDR

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I was called to do repairs on a camera system in central florida. The facility has concrete lighting poles approximately every 75 lft wide by 100 lft in length (about 24 lft high). The engineer providing the cameras wants a lightning rod placed at the top of evey pole with the wire ran to the ground and installed on a lightning rod. The existing cameras are attached to the pole directly with GFIC breakers at each connection. These -trip at times but doesn't seem to be a real problem. The engineer seems to believe the lightning rods would eliminate problems; I see it as a possible Lightning Collector. I have been in the forums before and seem to remember a method discussed a few months ago. Can someone offer more advice?
Thanks,
 
If the things were being hit by lightning you would be replacing them, not repairing them. I would suggest good surge suppressors on the power feeding these things at several levels if possible, and if possible right at the pole.

Or, you could ask the engineer to come up with a design and you will install it per his design. I do not think it will do any good though, except to your wallet.
 
Ieach junction has GFIC; I installed Tripp-Lite surge, fused 24VAC power supply, and additional surge on cameras at head in and receiving. Can't think of anything esle. I just think the Lightning rods is a mistake. I read an article a couple of years ago where it hit the rods and blew up a nearby gas tank. Like you said, if they want to pay for it,,,... but,,, liability?
 
ISSLDR said:
Ieach junction has GFIC; I installed Tripp-Lite surge, fused 24VAC power supply, and additional surge on cameras at head in and receiving. Can't think of anything esle. I just think the Lightning rods is a mistake. I read an article a couple of years ago where it hit the rods and blew up a nearby gas tank. Like you said, if they want to pay for it,,,... but,,, liability?
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liability is why you have liability insurance.

PE puts his seal on a set of drawings he has liability for the design not you.

gfci is to protect humans. serves no other purpose. does not protect against lightning.

fuses do not provide any protection from lightning either.

i do not think the lightning rods will hurt anything, but IMO won't do any good either.
 
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I realize the liability factor; that's why I would promise him it would work; but I would install it if he wanted. Haven't heard back form him. The GFIC was already in place but I think it's a good idea for them to use a little labor to possibly save $2000 in cameras. The only reason I added the additional surge was to provide any form of barrier in the event a surge occurred. I did this same scenario at another facility and although it survived the hurricanes, I have a picture where it hit the fused power and destroyed 1 camera and burned the board in half but the other 3 cameras remained. Lucky, right? Thanks, I think I will stick to my guns on the request. I don't think they will help since the poles have rebar and metal pipe on top where he wants the rod mounted. This is why I follow these forums; good experienced advice!!!


Mark Twain:
"Stupidity is doing the same thing every time and anticipating different results"
 
I realize the liability factor; that's why I wouldn't promise him it would work; but I would install it if he wanted. Haven't heard back form him. The GFIC was already in place but I think it's a good idea for them to use a little labor to possibly save $2000 in cameras. The only reason I added the additional surge was to provide any form of barrier in the event a surge occurred. I did this same scenario at another facility and although it survived the hurricanes, I have a picture where it hit the fused power and destroyed 1 camera and burned the board in half but the other 3 cameras remained. Lucky, right? Thanks, I think I will stick to my guns on the request. I don't think they will help since the poles have rebar and metal pipe on top where he wants the rod mounted. This is why I follow these forums; good experienced advice!!!


Mark Twain:
"Stupidity is doing the same thing every time and anticipating different results"
 
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