Lightning, one of nature’s most destructive forces, continues to wreak havoc on lives and property especially in today’s electronic environment. On average, a lightning strike contains approximately 50 million volts carrying 18,000–20,000 amperes of current, but strikes with up to 300 million volts and 200,000 amps are not that uncommon.

To protect against this destructive phenomena, a properly designed and UL-listed lightning protection system is required. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 780 Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems defines a lightning protection system as "a complete system of strike termination devices, conductors, grounding electrodes, interconnecting conductors, surge suppression devices and other connectors or fittings [that] are required to complete the system."

How does this system work? Picture a hockey goalie protecting his net. He has four basic tools—gloves, mask, stick, and pads— that help him prevent the puck from entering the net. Just like a goalie, there are four main parts that comprise a lightning protection system.

[ Continued ]

Also in this issue:

• Part 1—Intercept the Lightning Strike
• Part 2—Provide a Path to Ground
• Part 3—Safely Disperse Lightning Currents into the Earth
• Part 4—Surge Protection
• Winning Combination

Hot Topics

05.21.12
World Energy Council, Bloomberg Come Together on a “Complete View” of Global Energy
The World Energy Council (WEC) and Bloomberg New Energy Finance are combining forces for a thorough look at the costs associated with new, renewable and conventional energy technologies. A UN-accredited global energy body, the WEC has compiled data on the world’s energy resources since 1934. Now, with BNEF, the effort will expand to renewable energy technologies.
—TriplePundit.com

05.19.12
Sodium batteries an alternative to lithium-ion batteries?
Soon we could get a cheaper alternative to lithium-ion battery, but with the same advantages. The new batteries are based on the electrodes formed from a mixture of iron oxide, manganese and sodium. The last one is a reactive metal with properties very similar to those of lithium, but widely available worldwide and therefore much cheaper to use.
—InRumor.com

05.18.12
Businessman Wants to Build 2.52-gigawatt Wind Farm in Lake Erie
An entrepreneur is proposing to build a 2.52-gigawatt, 700-turbine wind farm in Lake Erie, using a regional approach to limit risk and costs while spreading potential benefits to more than a single state. The Lake Erie Alternative Power project would generate up to 30,000 jobs and supply work for 130,000 existing workers in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, Jeffrey DiLaura said. He has started negotiating potential offtake deals and has signed a letter of intent with Siemens for 3.6-megawatt wind turbines.
—RechargeNews.com

On the Hill/Around the Nation

05.22.12
Wyoming Officials to Hold Public Hearing on Small Wind Turbine
Commissioners of Natrona County, Wyoming will conduct a public hearing on May 29 on Wyoming Renewables' proposal to install a 60-foot-tall Bergey Wind Power turbine in a mixed-use zoning district. Wyoming Renewables is seeking a conditional-use permit to install the turbine.
—Star-Tribune

International News

05.23.12
Take Advantage of the New Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Korea and Increase Your Sales!
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the U.S. Commercial Service invite you to join them on May 23 at 4:00 p.m. EDT for a one-hour webinar featuring trade experts from NAM and the U.S. Department of Commerce who will give you tips on how to take advantage of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement that went into effect March 15th, 2012.
—U.S. Commercial Service

NEMAvoice

Industry News

Contracts

• Automakers Agree on 'Single-port' Charging System for Electric Cars
  Ford, General Motors, Chrysler-Daimler, Audi, BMW, Porsche and Volkswagen announced they would display the new charging systems during the upcoming Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles. 05/15/12

Mergers & Acquisitions

• Eaton Corp. to Buy Cooper Industries for $11.8 Billion
  The power management provider Eaton Corporation said on Monday that it had agreed to acquire Cooper Industries for $11.8 billion in a deal that would allow the companies to form a global electricity business. 05/21/12
  
  
  
• ABB Completes Acquisition of Thomas & Betts
  The acquisition of Thomas & Betts advances ABB’s strategy of expanding its Low Voltage Products division into new geographies, sectors and products. 05/17/12

[ Industry News Archives ]

Standardizations Trends

• NEMA Publishes ANSI ANSLG C78.377 Specifications for the Chromaticity of Solid State Lighting Products
  This publication specifies the range of chromaticities recommended for general lighting with solid state lighting (SSL) products and advises customers of their white light chromaticities. 05/16/12

[ NEMA News Archives ]

NEMA/BIS

• Lighting Equipment Demand Strengthened During First Quarter of 2012
  On a year-over-year basis the index increased by 3.7 percent, indicating that aggregate lighting equipment demand has improved appreciably since the recovery began; however it remains well below the levels observed during the previous economic expansion. 05/21/12
  
  
  
• Demand for Industrial Control Equipment on the Rise
  The index stands 12 percent above its year-ago level and 52 percent above the cyclical trough observed in mid-2009. Nonetheless, inflation- and seasonally-adjusted shipments still remain slightly their previous cyclical peak. 05/18/12

Market Comments by Tom Robinson It’s clear that we still have not figured out at the policy level how to get ourselves out of the doldrums. In fact the best thing might be no action, just let the economy find its own way. In any event that option is not on the table, and the economy remains weak. read more...

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