Our System
Passive-Point Discharge System
There is no substitute for quality and careful engineering of all aspects of any structure. Therefore, there is no substitute for quality lightning and static protection. The Lightning Experts Company is very proud of its record in lightning and static protection. Our systems have been extremely successful on structures located in all types of terrain and climates.
An example with our PPD-1200, one of 3 products we carry (PPD-114, PPD-1200, PPD-1900) of our Passive-Point Discharge element, the PPD-1200 contains over 8,000 stainless steel points, which are arranged in such a manner to produce maximum ionization. The central twisted core of the unit is also made of stainless steel. The mounting bracket is fabricated and galvanized and each unit is hand-finished and inspected. A special lacquering process is employed which is unique to our units. This process assists in further protecting the unit from effects of the elements.
Three elements mounted on one site will exceed 24,000 points and this is a very substantial figure considering the density of the elements employed. For example, 24,000 points on a 100’ tower is more than adequate for the ionization necessary to eliminate static and assist in dissipating the effects of lightning. The constant action of the units, albeit passive action, insures that the area of ionization protection is far-larger than the size of the units themselves.
This Passive-Point Discharge system is also unique in the angular mounting method and the linear, weather-resistant design, which insures that ice and snow do not accumulate on the units. The Passive-Point Discharge system is designed to give virtually zero-wind-load effect by design and withstand tremendous wind velocity and all other forces of nature.
The system allows for flexibility of design in that the units can be doubled or tripled or arranged in a variety of methods to accommodate the particular structure.
In the concept of positive ionization, static is eliminated by the continual ionization, which is produced by the multitude of points of the units. During a lightning event, when the atmosphere is most excited, the ionization acts as a kind of dissipater. Our units have been seen to glow on a number of structures on humid, stormy days. This effect is consistent with the theory that ionization is always taking place and with this great number of points of stainless steel, the effect is very successful.
Passive-Point Discharge Brush System
It is a law in physics that any material will be continually emitting ions. This material may be wood, concrete, paper, iron, steel, etc. Another law of physics is that any material object that is pointed will emit more ions than a flat piece of material.
ION – An ion is nothing more than an atom or group of atoms that have lost or gained an electron, therefore there can be negative ions that have an excess or surplus supply of electrons or there are positive ions that have a deficiency of electrons.
ARRAY – The Passive-Point Discharge Brush System (PPD-1900) is an array of stainless steel pointed elements that are constantly emitting ions to the atmosphere.
STATIC – The constant ion emission of the Passive-Point Discharge Brush System serves to remove static build-up on a site, especially where multiple broadcast equipment is in use thus enhancing clarity of signal.
LIGHTNING – Lightning is the movement of electrons from one cloud or object that is negatively charged to a cloud or object that is positively charged.
EXAMPLE
During a thunderstorm, thunderclouds pass over the surface of the earth and they will become negatively or positively charged, depending upon the elevation of the individual cloud and the specific speed that the cloud is traveling. To have lightning move from one cloud to another, there must be a difference of polarity between the individual cloud formations.
NOTE: One must be positive and one must be negative .
For electrons to travel from one cloud to another, they must overcome dielectric loss between the individual clouds, which requires 1,000 volts for 1 inch of dielectric air space, or to travel 12 inches, it will require 12,000 volts, therefore, for electrons to travel through space there are extremely high voltages. This same principle applies if lightning would strike trees, telephone buildings, radio towers, television towers, etc. There will also be a variance of high current or amperage during a lightning strike.