Lightning strikes through AC power lines are the most common cause of damage to telecommunication equipment. Despite extensive RF and telephone line protection, many facilities overlook AC line defense, often due to limited product availability or misunderstanding of proper protection methods.
Power lines are highly exposed, often spanning miles overhead. A single lightning strike can travel across these lines, seeking the nearest ground point and damaging all connected equipment. Sensitive electronics are particularly at risk.
The best defense is to install protection at the service entrance of the AC power line, before the surge reaches internal wiring. Plug-in surge protectors, commonly found in stores, provide little protection since they are too far from earth ground and activate too late to prevent damage.
Hybrid Surge Protectors – Combining Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs) and Gas Discharge Units (GDUs) offers optimal defense:
Combination Approach – Using MOVs for small surges and GDUs for large wavefronts ensures comprehensive protection. This hybrid method prevents GDUs from failing or shorting.
Remote Equipment Protection – For equipment more than 100 feet from the service entrance, install MOVs directly in the equipment cabinets to prevent internal surges. Their distributed capacitance also provides RFI protection.
Always connect the AC neutral ground to the facility’s bulkhead grounding system to distribute lightning energy more effectively, minimizing potential damage.
Proper AC line protection ensures long-term safety for your facility, reducing downtime and safeguarding sensitive equipment.