High Voltage Arrestor

4,160V, 2,400V, & 660V AC RMS

Necessity for Critical Load Lightning Arrestors

As recently as a few years ago, lightning damage to a motor or other critical load was considered to be an unpreventable act of God.  In today’s world, lightning damage to a motor is considered to be poor preservation of a critical asset. 

When a large motor goes down, it usually takes an appreciable portion of the system or process down with it.  The system remains down until the motor is repaired or replaced.  Time is money, especially down time. 

In this world of capital preservation, most companies no longer maintain an inventory of spare motors, so replacement time becomes critical.  You do not send out two guys with a pickup truck to change a large motor.  Extensive mobilization may be involved, then the expense and delay of locating a replacement or arranging motor rewinding or other repair.  All told, the cost of an appropriate arrestor is many times less than the cost of down time and equipment replacement.

Lightning Master has recently introduced arrestors for 4,160V, 2,400V, 660V and 480V applications.  These rugged units are small, light weight, and easy to install in the most challenging environments.  Best of all, they are reasonable priced, making them very cost-effective.

The use of these devices is recommended by motor manufacturers, as they are designed to provide dielectric protection for the motor and insulation system.  Because Lightning Master arrestors employ MOV technology, they negate the need for surge capacitors.

Therefore, may we suggest a program to secure protection for your valuable assets by installing these arrestors on a progressive basis.  Based upon our experience, you may want to consider protecting assets based on the following priorities:

1.                  Critical facilities.  These constitute facilities in your system that are critical to your overall operation.  These could include pipeline junctions, stations that can pump in both directions, stations without backup, etc.

2.                  Facilities subject to performance penalties.  These constitute your facilities providing service to an outside Customer imposing a performance penalty in the event your service is unavailable.

3.                  Sites at the end of electric utility transmission or distribution lines, and, therefore, subject to excessive power company transients.

4.                  Remote sites.  These are sites that may be difficult to access, particularly during winter or rainy season.

5.                  Sites subject to past damage.  Lightning does strike twice in the same place.  If a site has a history of lightning damage, such damage will likely continue.

Programmed protection entails acquiring a number of arrestors each month, and distributing them to sites based upon priority as described above.  Over time, critical sites are protected first, with all sites protected eventually.  Protect your valuable capital assets and enhance reliability starting now with Lightning Master surge arrestors.

Surge rating (8/20 usec):

            70 kA nominal, phase-to-phase and phase-to-ground

Enclosure:

            NEMA Type 4

            14” W X 14” H X 8” D

            stainless steel finish

            continuous hinge cover with safety locks

            external mounting flanges

Weight:

            30 lbs

Connections:

            3 phase conductors, plus ground (18” leads supplied)

            Myers Hub, ¾” conduit

Design standard:

            IEEE C62.11