Lightning Protection for High Mast Poles

 Lightning can have adverse effects on human life and infrastructure. Lightning strikes can cause power outages, fires, and disruptions in communication. Electrical surges from lightning strikes can damage home appliances such as refrigerators, televisions, and air conditioners. Buildings can also sustain severe damage from lightning strikes depending on their height, distance, and type of infrastructure. Additionally, in some situations, there may be explosions if lightning comes into contact with flammable substances such as gas or chemicals. In this article, we will discuss how high mast poles can be protested from the severe effects of lightning: 

High-mast poles are tall and vertical structures made of steel or other durable and corrosion-resistant materials. They have light fixtures attached on top and are commonly used to illuminate large areas such as stadiums, parking lots, warehouses, and highways. High mast lights offer uniform lighting in large spaces and are also used in accident-prone areas on roads and highways. However, due to their height and exposure, high mast poles are vulnerable to lightning strikes, which can cause serious damage to the structure and compromise the safety of people, buildings, and vehicles nearby. Therefore, it is essential to have lightning protection systems for added protection of high mast poles. Some of the commonly used ways of protecting high mast poles from lightning strikes include:

1. Lightning Arresters

A lightning arrester is a circuit that protects buildings and electrical devices from the effects of a lightning strike. These devices are used to safeguard the power systems by redirecting the high voltage surges to the ground. By using a ground wire or earthing, power systems and overhead lines can be shielded against direct lightning strikes. There are numerous types of lightning arresters, but the most widely used ones are the lightning rod and surge protector. The working principle of the lightning arrestors is quite simple. Once the voltage surge travels along the conductor, it arrives at the location where the arrestor is situated. The insulation of the lightning arrestor is briefly disrupted by the voltage surge, which facilitates its discharge towards the ground. The insulation between the ground and conductor is soon re-established when the system voltage drops below a certain level. It also stops the current flow towards the ground.

 

2. Grounding System

A grounding system is used in electrical, telecommunication as well as in lightning protection systems. They offer low impedance paths for the lightning current to smoothly pass to the ground. Grounding system refers to a connection of the electrical system, electrical devices, and metal enclosures to the ground. It is also referred to as earthing, which means connection to the earth. A network of electrodes and conductors build an efficient and low resistance path for the high voltage current to swiftly channel the ground that reduces the risk of electric shocks and fire.  The use of conductive materials such as copper and aluminium is ideal for grounding systems as they have low resistance to the flow of current. There are three types of grounding systems used widely, i.e., Ungrounded Systems, Resistance Grounded Systems and Solidly Grounded Systems. 

The system behind a grounding system involves connecting the electrical systems to a grounding electrode. This particular electrode is typically a metal rod or plate that is buried in the earth. The principle of the grounding system is to provide a low resistance path for the current to flow instead of allowing it to pass through an electrical equipment or building. Proper grounding systems are necessary to stabilise the voltage in the electrical system and prevent electrical noise or interference from affecting the system's performance.

3. Surge Protection Devices

Surge protection devices (SPDs) are installed to handle the voltage fluctuations in the flow of current. There are many fluctuations such as sag, swell, transient impulses, spikes or notch. The surge protection devices usually protect the electrical equipment or devices from sudden spikes in Alternating Current (AC) circuits. They are also used to protect high mast poles from lightning strikes. They can either be used in conjunction with other lightning protection systems or be installed on cameras or lighting fixtures of high mast poles. To prevent equipment damage caused by voltage spikes, surge protection devices are designed to clamp them at a safe level and prevent them from reaching harmful levels.

The working principle behind an SPD includes the presence of at least one nonlinear component of SPD which can otherwise transition between a high and low impedance state. By switching to a low impedance state, SPDs redirect transient voltage back to the source or ground, preventing it from damaging connected equipment. This limits or clamps the voltage to a safer level. After diverting the transient voltage, SPDs reset to their high-impedance state, allowing normal operation to resume.

 

Looking for high mast pole manufacturers in India?

For strong and durable high mast poles, explore Utkarsh India Limited. As one of the leading

high mast pole manufacturers in India, they offer high mast poles in different sizes and specifications. They have a production capacity of 3,00,000 units of polygonal poles and 12,000 units of high masts poles per annum. With advanced state of the art technology, Utkarsh India is a ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certified plant. Following are some of the reasons why Utkarsh high mast poles are the most sought after in the industry:

• Utkarsh India has more than 15 years of rich experience in manufacturing High mast & Polygonal Poles.

• They have in-house design, R&D and testing facilities for “ raw material “, “in-process “, and “finished goods.”

• They conduct periodic type testing of structure and component to ensure compliance with the latest IS specifications

• The high mast poles are wind tunnel tested by IIT Kanpur ( 2022 ) and structural stability tested by CSIR SERC Chennai ( 2022 )

• The vetted design software by Jadavpur University – Kolkata, ensures structural stability of the masts. 

• They also manufacture steel items such as foundation bolts, lantern carriage and bracket in house. These accessories ensure long life and safety of installation.

Want to know more on their high mast poles and high mast light pole installation, get in touch with them. 

High-risk areas where accidents are bound to happen

Road accidents are a prevalent problem in India. The impact of road accidents is severe and can be life-threatening to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. In 2021 alone, the Ministry of Roads Transport and Highways recorded over 4 lakh road accidents in India, which claimed 1.5 lakh lives. The main causes of road accidents are overcrowding of roads, distracted or reckless driving, and poorly maintained vehicles. The existence of potholes and lack of speed breakers also play a significant role in road accidents. Pedestrians who are not aware of road safety and do not abide by traffic rules are also vulnerable to road accidents.

To tackle this issue, the Indian government has taken several precautionary measures. It has adopted the Road Safety Policy, which aims to reduce road accidents by 50% by 2024. Additionally, the government has spread awareness and set up guidelines while building transport infrastructure and roads. Despite these efforts, there are still high-risk areas where accidents frequently occur. Some of these areas include:

1. Highways:

Highways are an essential part of road infrastructure, connecting major cities and facilitating the movement of a diverse range of vehicles, including cars, bikes, buses, and trucks. However, due to heavy traffic and the high speed of vehicles, highways are also high-risk zones where accidents are more likely to occur. Inadequate maintenance, damages to the roads, and lack of prominent signboards can contribute to accidents on highways. Reckless driving such as over speeding, overtaking other vehicles, and ignoring traffic signals can also lead to accidents. Drunk driving is another common cause of accidents on highways.

Pedestrians also need to be cautious when crossing highways. Neglecting traffic rules and not following signals at crossings can put them at risk of accidents. Jaywalking, where pedestrians refuse to use footpaths and sidewalks, can also lead to severe mishaps on the road.

Poor weather conditions can further aggravate the risk of accidents on highways. During heavy rains or flooding, the roads can become slippery and potholes may not be visible, increasing the chances of collisions. In such situations, the windshield of the vehicles may not provide a clear view, making it difficult for drivers to navigate through the highways.

2. Congested places: 

Congested places can vary from local marketplaces, busy school or hospital areas, densely populated residential zones to construction sites. These places experience heavy footfall and passage of vehicles regularly. The chances of accidents due to carelessness is extremely high in such areas. It is important to have well-maintained roads, proper sign boards and awareness among drivers and pedestrians alike. For instance, marketplaces are congested areas where vendors and customers come together for commercial activities. There is a significant volume of traffic and possible carelessness among pedestrians. Sometimes improper parking can also leave no room for pedestrians which can impact their safety. All of these factors can contribute to road accidents.

3. Pedestrian crossings: 

When pedestrians do not follow the traffic rules and norms laid down by road safety authorities, it can lead to severe road accidents. Accidents at pedestrian crossings can occur due to fault of either pedestrians or vehicles. When drivers at four or two wheelers fail to stop at the pedestrian crossings, do not abide by traffic signals and drive recklessly, it can put the safety of pedestrians at risk. It can so happen that the vehicles are poorly maintained and have unyielding brakes and faulty tires, which can lead to road accidents at pedestrian crossings. If the drivers are driving recklessly, speeding at traffic signals and are on their phones while driving, they may miss the pedestrian crossings. This is especially a serious concern in busy crossings and areas with high volume of traffic.    

4. Intersectional crossings: 

An intersection is a point where two or more roads meet and form a multi-way crossing. These areas require high traffic safety maintenance and feature protective barriers and prominent lanes with proper directions. Usually, an intersection witnesses heavy traffic throughout the day. Traffic police are posted at all times to maintain proper traffic flow on the routes. Drivers often get confused by the traffic signals and signs in these areas and need proper direction. Road accidents in such areas have a severe impact on lives as well as infrastructure. They can be caused by collisions between two or more vehicles, running over pedestrians, red light violations, and when vehicles crash on the sidelines. Road accidents at intersections can be avoided if both drivers and pedestrians are careful at the crossings and follow traffic rules. Drivers need to carefully navigate their vehicles and maintain a certain speed limit as directed by road safety authorities.

5. Road bends:

Road accidents at bends are frequent occurrences in hilly regions and rural areas. These accidents can happen on single-lane roads where the space is not wide enough. Drivers who steer their vehicles recklessly and drive at high speeds above the recommended speed limit are the main contributors to accidents at road bends. In hilly areas, drivers cannot usually see the vehicles approaching from the opposite direction at bends, which can result in head-on collisions. In such areas, vehicles may skid off the road, or bump into the side. Hence, drivers need to be very careful on such risk-prone road bends and use horns and signals to alert approaching vehicles.

Looking for Metal Beam Crash Barriers?

For good quality metal beam crash barriers, explore Utkarsh India’s metal crash barriers. As one of the largest Indian crash barrier manufacturers, Utkarsh India offers a range of different types of crash barrier, including:

• W Beam crash barriers

• Thrie beam crash barriers 

• Anchorage systems 

Here are some reasons why Utkarsh India’s crash barriers are the most reliable:

• Utkarsh India has a manufacturing capacity of 12,000 MT/month.

• The raw materials are sourced from reputed brands such as SAIL and TATA.

• All products are tested in the in-house testing laboratory. 

• The logistic and dispatch department are prepared 24*7 with a ready stock of minimum 50 km at all times. 

• 5, 12.8 meter long in house galvanization units. 

• The barriers are crash tested as per the European standards.

• The quality of the materials used all conform to norms set by Indian/American Boards.