Alltec Protection Pyramid Surveys — Introduction
The ALLTEC Protection Pyramid is a unique framework used for visualizing, designing, and implementing grounding, surge suppression, and lightning protection products to protect facilities comprehensively. The Protection Pyramid has three interrelated and interrelated tiers:
grounding represents Tier I;
surge suppression represents Tier II;
and, lightning protection represents Tier III.
Without proper grounding, surge suppression and lightning protection will not function correctly. Without surge suppression, exposure to the secondary effects of lightning as well as internally generated transient voltages will occur. Direct strike lightning protection protects the physical structure and its contents. All three interlock into a very robust and stable protection system.
In our three-part series, we will discuss how to properly use each tier of the Protection Pyramid framework to accomplish these goals:
Protect critical facilities, equipment, records, and assets.
Provide a safe working environment for personnel.
Reduce the risk of downtime and lost revenue.
Reduce vulnerability of interdependent critical infrastructures and build a disaster resilient enterprise.
Minimize liability and maintain a competitive posture.
Without a well-designed grounding system, all other power quality protection efforts will not function. A survey will determine how well the system stabilizes the voltage to earth during normal operation and how effectively it limits the voltage imposed by lightning, line surges, or unintentional contact with a higher-voltage line.
Grounding and Bonding alone are not sufficient to adequately protect a facility. Transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS) techniques, using appropriate Surge Protection Devices (SPD), should also be incorporated and fully integrated into the facility’s inspection and maintenance program.
Grounding/Earthing & Bonding and Surge Protection alone are not sufficient to adequately protect a facility. A Lightning Protection System (LPS) should also be incorporated and fully integrated into the facility’s inspection and maintenance program to protect the physical structure and its contents.
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