Possible Lightning Strike. 3

[mickyeng]

After a heavy and stormy rain, 5 of our circuit breakers from two different circuit damaged. How can we be sure that the damage on the Circuit Breaker was due to a lightning strike? Any reference on any book?

 

[RedSnake]

If not a lightning strike, what could otherwise have damaged them?
400 Amps is nothing compared to a lightning strike around 30000 Amps.

Best Regards A



“Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.“
Albert Einstein

 

[itsmoked]

The best way to know is if someone can confirm there was a lightning event around the time this breaker failed.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[RedSnake]

There where 5 that failed at the same time.
I would pick them a part and look for what is broken and measure them if it isn't obvious.
But if the lightning can break that amount of equipment at the same time there is something missing to protect the installation from lightning strikes.
ABB makes quality products so I doubt it is a manufacturing fault, unless they where newly installed, then anything can happen ;-)

/A

“Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.“
Albert Einstein

 

[Comcokid]

I see small dip switches implying additional circuits (electronics) associated with the circuit breakers. The main energy discharge of a lightening strike also creates an EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) that can damage nearby electronics. The plastic enclosure will not shield the electronics from the direct effects of the EMP.

It may be that one circuit breaker took the direct hit, and nearby breakers were taken out also.

 

[Palletjack]

Look here to see if there was a strike close by at the suspected date.

https://www.blitzortung.org/en/historical_maps.php?map=30

 

[itsmoked]

That's awesome Pallet!

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[RedSnake]

Palletjack

Best Regards A

“Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.“
Albert Einstein

 

[srini1785]

The only way to protect against a lighting strike and the consequent surge that it produces is by a Surge protector and Class C lightning rod. To put things in perspective, a lightning strike produces a surge current of the order of 20-100KA for a few Micro seconds. The CB's are not designed to trip such surges as their reaction time is too long. A three phase Surge protector with a metal oxide indicator would also provide a visual indication every time a surge has happened.

 

[jraef]

Seems to me it would more likely be a voltage surge from a lightning strike that would do flashover damage (and it would damage EVERYTHING in the circuit, not just a portion.


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