Lightning arresters are protectors of solar power stations against lightning strikes. They’re able to serve as pointers pointing toward earthing points for example, as a result flowing of strange currents do not cause any appliance damage. There are different types of lightning arrester for solar power plants like Rod-type lightning arresters, thyrite lightning arresters, horn gap arresters, auto valve arresters, Expulsion type arresters, etc.
They have looked at many kinds of surge arresters for solar power stations. Some tend to focus mainly on air terminals, in charge of power stripping; others use devices checking spikes in the power line. The aim of it all is to ensure the safety of the plant and its equipment.
If you are curious to know about types of lightning arrester for solar power plants then read the full article it will be beneficial for you. In conclusion, the right choice of surge arrester is crucial to solar power plants. It helps protect the valuable equipment and ensures uninterrupted operation of the whole system. Right research and selection can ward off a disaster that spoils a plant’s lifespan before it gets started.
Solar Panel and Lightning
Lightning can pose a threat to solar panels by causing surges in the electrical system, inducing currents, and inflicting physical damage. To reduce the risks associated with lightning strikes, it’s a good idea to use surge protectors and lightning arrestors in your solar installation. If your solar-powered lamp is still functioning after a lightning storm, it indicates that the system has some resilience to electrical issues. Think about implementing extra protection measures for greater long-term reliability.
Lightning Arrester for Solar System
Which is the best lightning arrester for solar system? It depends on the solar power plant location. In most cases, Emission (ESE) lightning arresters, simpler rod-style lightning arresters are often used for the rooftop solar panel installation systems. To describe them on a basic level, solar lightning arrestors, or solar lightning protection systems, defend solar systems against lightning strikes and surges.
They aim to provide a direct path away from sensitive equipment for the electricity of lightning. And through the ground returns current to ground that would have been conducted if it struck a sensitive piece of equipment.
These arrestors connect safely, through the solar arrays or building’s ground system, electrical energy into the ground. A lightning rod at the highest point of the solar array catches lightning strikes and blows them down. Other components such as ground wires, ground rods, and copper wires merge into a good grounding system. In this setup, surplus power is safely dissipated in a way that protects both the solar system and other structures near it from harm.
Coax Lightning Arresters Basics
All Thunder Arresters come with their own specified range of frequencies that they mine. A protector, for example, could offer as much as 698 megahertz to 2.7 gigahertz of protection.
Type of Connection
N female is the most common type of connector but there are also N male, TNC, and other different forms. There are Some protectors with bidirectional protection so that the input is output and vice versa.
Whether DC Passes or Blocks Protectors
With DC passes, for example, power needs to be at the antenna tower to feed a particular device. This type of protector permits low-voltage current to flow from the center pin of the coax cable to power the device. If power is not required at the antenna tower, then a DC block type 1e protector would be utilized; this would not allow any current to pass through the center pin on a coax connector.
Technology Type
The most commonly used and economical type of technology is gas tube protection. In most cases, it can last for about five years. One thing to consider with gas tube protectors is that over time they may build up static electricity, and if this static electricity discharges any equipment can be damaged. The second type of technology is coil inductors.
Types of Lightning Arrester for Solar Power Plant
There are different types of surge arrester for solar power system. The best lightning arrester for a solar system at home will utilize a series of thermally bonded copper and aluminum alloys. This provides a low impedance path to the ground that protects the electrical system from the damaging effects of fault current. There are different types of lightning arresters:
- Sphere Gap Arrester
- Rod Gap Arrester
- Multiple-Gap Arrester
- Horn Gap Arrester
- Impulse Protective Gap
- Electrolytic Arrester
- Expulsion Type Arrester
- Valve Type Arresters
- Thyrite Arrester
- Auto valve Arrester
- Oxide Film Arrester
- Metal Oxide Arresters
- Early Streamer Emission (ESE) Arresters
- Franklin Lightning Rods
1. Sphere Gap Arrester
In the case of a sphere gap arrester, there are two spheres and a gap between them. The first ball is wired to the power line, the second is grounded. When the voltage increases, a coil between the transformer and the ground heats up. Similarly, the air between the balls also heats up, and tends to escape. But the corona discharge ionizes the air and the air has an electric current for breakdown. These protect the device from damage.
2. Rod Gap Arrester
Rod Lightning Arrester is very simple. It has two rods that are separated by a gap. Both rods are tethered to the earth and the feeder. The gap is filled with air. The air between the rods becomes ionized and sparks when a power line is at a high voltage. This triggers the malfunctioning stream to enter the ground. The passage above explains the process. In this manner, the equipment is impeded from any potential damages.
3. Multiple-Gap Arrester
It consists of a number of insulating cylinders with air gaps in between. When a surge voltage is applied, the gaps spark over one after another. Multiple gap arresters are basically several small metal cylinders that are insulated from one another along with many air gaps. The end cylinders of the series are connected to the ground. The necessary quantity of gaps is dependent on the line voltage.
4. Horn Gap Arrester
It consists of two horn-like electrodes that are separated by a small distance. This geometry generates a corona to bridge the gap during surges, a corona that, unfortunately, cannot be formed inside the coatings.
The distance between the two electrodes design is that the standard process voltage between the line and the earth is not enough to overcome the gap between the electrodes. However, in the event of a voltage that is higher than normal, it will then break the gap and give an earth connection.
5. Impulse Protective Gap
The special device that prevents lightning discharge from striking power lines is called the protective impulse gap. There are two metal balls and then a needle in between. The needle generates a spark when lightning strikes. This quickly ignites between the two metal balls, thus sparing the power line.
6. Electrolytic Arrester
Electrolytic Arrester has a high power release capacity. It uses an electrolytic cell to be able to work. In essence, aluminum hydroxide adheres to aluminum plates. At low voltage conditions, the plate behaves like a strong resistor and vice versa when the voltage is high. When the voltage exceeds 400 volts, it sweeps across the resistor. When the current that causes the fault or goes through the fault is going to the earth.
7. Discharge Type Lightning Arrester
The discharge-type arrester does better than the rod gap because it not only prevents the current flow but also the power frequency that follows the pulse. It had an effective fiber optic tube. There are spark gaps that keep the spark separated and disrupted inside the tube. While in use, the fibrous pipe excites the spark, destabilizing some of the fiber suffering into gas. The gas is pressed out through a vent at the bottom of the tube, creating a spark like a circuit breaker.
8. Valve Type Lightning Arresters
Valve-type arresters are special devices that are used to protect electrical equipment from lightning strikes. As well as a spark gap and resistor. The spark gap has several small components. The parts contain two metal parts that deposit a device to set off a spark. The voltage rises rapidly when lightning strikes. This causes the spark gap to begin arcing. Spark then travels through the resistor, saving the electrical devices.
9. Thyrite Lightning Arrester
Thyrite lightning protectors are protective devices for electrical equipment against lightning. They come with a special material called Thyrite, which has a higher conductivity at high voltage levels. Inside a clear box, a Thyrite flat, the piece the protector comes within, lives. When lightning hits the solar panel, the Thyrite diverts the electric current to safety and exceeds equipment protection.
10. Auto valve Arrester
Stacks of flat discs with thin mica rings calibrated with high elasticity material between the discs make up the significant phase of Auto valve Arrester. It is another semiconductor disc and is certainly not uniform throughout and has conductive material. This arrangement permits a glow discharge in the material’s capillaries at a voltage near 350 volts per unit. The discs are arranged so that they can’t create a discharge at normal voltage levels.
11. Oxide Film Arrester
Lightning strike protection is ensured by this device for the electric equipment. It has a tube with literally small and round substances inside the tubular structure it possesses. The pellets are of a special material. Each pellet is joined by a wire, and when the two ends of the pellet are connected by a flash of lighting the spark travels from one to the other. This spark also serves to protect electrical equipment.
12. Metal Oxide Lightning Arresters
Metal oxide discharge tube is dedicated high-voltage surge arresters that secure big electric devices from the strike of lightning. If Zinc Oxide is a special one they used to do this full of magic stuff before. Electricity is unable to flow through this material until a sudden voltage jump occurs. One way it does that is by using zinc oxide, which conducts electricity when it comes in contact with the bolts of energy from a lightning strike. This helps to prevent the electrical equipment from shorting out.
13. Early Streamer Emission (ESE) Lightning Arresters
The kind of surge arresters I have mentioned above are early streamer emission types. They are made with the intention of increasing the area of protection as compared to conventional rod-type lightning arresters. They have an ionization system that generates streamers that reach out to the approaching lightning, thereby triggering the arrester earlier. If lightning is about to hit, the ESE arrester releases what is called a streamer, which points the path for the lightning to take towards the arrester, which then discharges the hit into the ground.
14. Franklin Lightning Rods
It is a form of lightning arrester based on a system of conductive rods and grounding to protect structures, are named after Benjamin Franklin, who famously conducted experiments on lightning and electricity. Franklin rods are made to catch lightning strikes and channel electrical energy down them into the ground, where they can dissipate harmlessly as heat.
Major Type of Surge Arrester
There are 4 main type of surge arrestors. Surge protection involves safeguarding systems and electrical devices from dangerously high voltage spikes that can occur due to switching operations or lightning strikes. Surge arresters are usually classified according to voltage rating and the amount of protection they can give to a network. Here are some of the common surge arrester types:
Secondary Arrester
A secondary arrester is classified as an arrester that works with voltages under 1000V. It provides an extra layer of surge protection for a home’s service transformer. The failure rate of transformers is estimated to be around 0.4% to 1%, with low-side surges causing 50% to 70% of these failures. Using a secondary arrester can help to significantly reduce this failure rate.
Station Arrester
For handling high voltages, station-class arresters are the top choice. They stand out among all arrester types by offering superior discharge voltages and the ability to withstand the highest fault currents. These arresters are available in a voltage range from 3 kV to 684 kV. Furthermore, they come in different cantilever strengths to cater to various challenging applications.
Intermediate Arrester
Intermediate arresters are commonly utilized in small substations or when there is a requirement for protecting underground cables. They are particularly suitable for dry-type transformers. These devices can manage high discharge voltages and possess a strong current resistance capability, although this is at a lower level compared to secondary arresters. You can find intermediate arresters with voltage ratings ranging from 3 to 120 kV.
Distribution Arrester
Among the different types of arresters, distribution arresters provide the least protection. As a result, they are generally utilized in medium voltage networks or in transformers that are mounted on elbows and cubicles. In locations with significant lightning activity, a heavy-duty surge arrester is necessary to manage the demands.
In areas with less lightning, standard-duty arresters are often sufficient. For this reason, an arrester positioned on a riser pole can be used to help mitigate voltage surges detected by the equipment and the underground system.
Where to Use of Lightning Arrester
- In power transmission lines, distribution lines, and power grids for the protection of transformers and other electrical substation equipment.
- Telecom towers and antenna masts for the protection of electronic communication devices.
- About constructions of buildings that contain fragile industrial electronics and data center infrastructures.
- In the case of solar and wind farms to protect the critical power electronic circuits and gearboxes, for instance.
- Industrial Plants: They prevent damage to such assets as machinery and control systems.
- Renewable Energy Systems: Protection of solar panels and wind turbines.
Importance of Lightning Arresters in Solar Installations
- Because of its function of intercepting large amplitude pulses, the arrester that EPC needs is not at all in its traditional form. Protects the equipment from that high-voltage surge produced lightning stroke
- This increases a solar system’s service life because it gets less use and wear. Reduces Wear
- The inconvenience of having lights all over the place is eliminated by one lightning stroke, a simple miracle. This saves us and you money at the same time. Reduces downtime
- Directing lightning to the earth instead of striking out of control, reassures us all with an added measure of.
- Lightning protection improves fire Insurance costs The cost of lightning damage to roofs is ten times more than for any other type of loss Protected Property In This area houses lightning protection facilities with installed energy surpluses, because electricity bills are expensive and houses consume it like crazy. Natal also Remains Unbeatable.
- In regions where lightning is frequent, the ability to withstand conditions that can lead to power outages is crucial for solar technologies, particularly in areas with no alternative energy services or renewable energy sources.
- Complies With the Provisions Meets the safety requirements of renewable energy networks in aspects such as lightning protection which raises confidence in solar energy.
How to Use Lightning Arrester for Solar System?
In case of a storm, surge protectors absorb voltage peaks and shocks from power quality problems. Each arrestor uses a gas tube, which offers quick response and low impedance. Additionally, these gadgets shield your sensitive home A/V and data equipment by using semiconductor protectors to divert surges over the power wiring. In any wiring run the surge protector should be installed at both ends, including the AC lines from inverter power.
The unit should be compatible with either method of connection, 60Hz or square wave. Arrestors come in voltage-specific versions both for AC power and for DC power. Select the type that matches your power sources. Most installers adopt Delta surge arrestors for medium risk from lightning because they are affordable, though they are no longer UL-listed.
For high-risk lightning areas and larger combinations, people do well choose PolyPhaser and Transtector arrestors. These high-quality units come in a variety of voltages and provide reliable protection. Some models as an option give a warning if they fail.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Lightning Arresters
There are some advantages and disadvantages of lightning arresters. Let’s see the lightning protector benefits and drawbacks.
Advantages
Lightning arresters offer several benefits:
- Safeguarding: Surge arresters provide safety for electrical systems and buildings against lightning-caused overvoltages.
- Reliability: Ensures that electrical systems continue operating.
- Economical: Specifically this means economic loss due to re-procurement and downtime. Protects against lightning damage
- Versatility: Suitable for all kinds of applications and regions from private homes to industrial-grade substations.
- During normal operation, when the system is transporting power, the downshift of harmful surges will not interfere with the power supply.
- Protects costly and sensitive equipment such as computers or control panels from overvoltages.
- It increases equipment life decreases pollution caused by surges, and keeps maintenance costs and downtime, etc to a minimum.
Whole protection is provided, instead of having to rely on the limits of individual items of equipment. Available in designs for outdoor as well as indoor installation, to meet different voltage classes or space limitations. Assist with compliance with statutory PV system safety regulations for overvoltage protection.
Disadvantages
However, despite the benefits of lightning arresters, there are shortcomings too.
- Initial Cost: Rather expensive for high-quality equipment
- Maintenance: Regular checks are required to ensure performance is not compromised
- Life span: As time goes by the arrester will degenerate and need to be replaced.
- An arrester nearby may fail to do its job if faced with a direct lightning strike that carries extremely high currents.
They are a source of trouble if installed for indoor fog use due to leak alarms and the need for regular hole frequency of fluid replenishment.
Conclusion
Lightning arresters protect solar systems and other electrical equipment by redirecting high-voltage surges establishing a low-resistance path for the discharge. Lighting arresters do a better job of directing the high voltage from this peak compared to the protection offered by a mud dike.
Indeed, surge arresters redirect lightning surges to the ground, serving as a vital protection mechanism for solar systems and expensive electric plant equipment. They operate in less than one-third of a second, preventing damage to delicate components and promoting the longevity of the parts.
Recommended for solar systems in storm areas include metal oxide, rod gap, and early streamer emission models each kind of arrester type has its particular characteristics despite the difference in function. For solar installations selecting the right arrester type, such as PolyPhaser or Transtector in high-risk areas and places with high insurance premiums, means safety and durability, and lower insurance fees than those where no such system is installed to provide overvoltage protection for subsequent users.