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Forum Index : Windmills : Lighterning protection

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herbnz

Senior Member

Joined: 18/02/2007
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 258

Posted: 06:49pm 08 Oct 2007

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Hi Yesterday we had a unusual lighterning storm sheet lighterning only but I was looking up at my windmill and a discharge was right above it it the bang rocked the house. Power went out I was rushed down to my inverter battery setup expecting the worse but all I had to do was push the inverter start button. Today checked all ok including mill.
Question though what do forum members do for protection with solar I earh well and add VDRs across 24 volt and to the earth Should we on our mills add a rod to discharge to earth. I see in my case a spike must have got in tripped over voltage protection of the inverter. I was impressed really its a old Trace DR2424 what I have always considered the workhouse of inverters.

Herb

Ps All the locals lost there grid supply for 24 + hours I never said anything but did leave outside light on for a while.Edited by herbnz 2007-10-10

Gill

Senior Member

Joined: 11/11/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 669

Posted: 12:14pm 10 Oct 2007

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Leaving the outside light on...... you cheeky bugger.

Not sure on solar. The old Trace would have an earth wing nut?

Definitely earth stake the tower. deep and several. also the guy wires at their anchor points is recommended. Not that I've done this myself. I have one deep rod for the tower but then I'm not in a strike prone area. (famous last words???)
Disconnect DC leads from mill is best

Glad to hear effect was minor.

was working fine... til the smoke got out.
Cheers Gill _Cairns, FNQ

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