Description
Introduction:
An early streamer device is powered by storing energy from the naturally occuring ambient electrical field, which builds up
considerably, (as much as several thousand volts per metre) - when a storm approaches. This electrical energy is collected
and stored within the device. Just before a lightning strike occurs there is a rapid increase in the electrical field and this is
detected by the EC-SAT. This in turn triggers the device to release the stored energy in the form of an ionization at the tip of
the air terminal. This encourages the formation of rising discharge (upward leader) from the EC-Sat in advance of the
naturally occuring upward leaders from other points on the structure being protected. The principle being that should a
lightning strike occur it would be attracted to the streamer provided by the EC-SAT and then would be
conducted safely to earth by the down conductors/earth.
Basic Installation Guide:
A detailed evaluation should be made before the installation; the EC-SAT should always represent the highest point
of the building requiring protection. The air terminal should always be sited at least 2 metres above the area it is
intended to protect. When making an assessment, consideration must be given to any of the vantage points.
These may include:
Any outbuldings on the roof, the buildings gables, metallic or brick chimneys.
The EC-SAT may also be mounted on a free standing pole / tower to provide protection for an open area of ground,
e.g. recreational areas. If more than one EC-SAT is required to protect a single construction, then it is necessary to
inter-connect each device by a conductor conforming to relevant standards. Examples of this are:
If the horizontal length of the building is greater than the vertical drop or the height of the building is greater than 28
metres.
All conductors should take the shortest and most direct route to earth, avoiding sharp angles and curvatures. The radius
of any curvature must be greater than 20cms. Each down conductor will be linked to its own earth, usually copperbond
earth rods.