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Are you doing enough to prevent Lightning Damage?
One of the biggest enemies of Access Control Systems is lightning damage. In addition to down time and repair costs, it can also leave facilities unsecured or inaccessible. While damage from direct lightning hits can't be prevented, most lightning damage is due to nearby strikes, and the effects can be reduced or prevented by taking some simple steps during installation.
All Secura Key equipment is equipped with on-board surge suppression, but properly grounded off-board devices will provide the best protection. Sometimes the protection devices will be damaged, but your equipment will remain protected.
Below are some steps you can take to protect your access control system. |
| PROTECT YOUR POWER LINES |
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 a. Install AC Surge Protection at your main service panel, and at all sub-panels.
b. Install a UPS with surge protection for your system PC, Monitor, and Printer.
c. Install plug-in surge protectors at each AC or DC power supply that powers an access control panel or standalone access control unit, reader and locking device.
d. Install surge protectors at all Gate Controllers.
e. Properly ground all surge protectors. Make sure all surge protectors are connected to a good earth ground according to the installation instructions provided with each device. Surge protectors will not work without a ground connection.
Power surge protection devices are available from Ditek (ditekcorp.com), Citel (citelprotection.com), and Joslyn (joslynsurge.com). UPS devices are available from APC.
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| PROTECT YOUR DATA CABLES |
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 a. Buried cable should be in non-metallic PVC conduit.
b. Install surge suppressors on reader cable runs. Secura Key offers the DTK-CR to protect Wiegand-output card readers, including data, reader power, LED control lines and strike power. For best performance, install surge suppressors at both ends of each cable run.
c. Install surge suppressors on data cable runs. Secura Key offers the DTK-XR to protect the SK-ACP access control panel. More expensive 3-stage surge suppressors provide a higher degree of protection by combining gas discharge tubes with high-speed solid-state suppressors.
d. Install opto-isolators on data cable runs. More costly than surge suppressors, opto-isolators break the electrical path, preventing damage to connected equipment. For best results, they should be installed at both ends of the cable.
e. Combine surge suppressors with opto-isolators. Install opto-isolators closest to the protected equipment, and then install surge suppressors nearby to protect the isolated data line, as well as the opto-isolators. For best performance, install both devices at both ends of the cable.
These devices are available from Secura Key, Ditek (ditekcorp.com) and B&B Electronics (bb-elec.com)
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| EXTRA PROTECTION FOR BURIED CABLES |
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 If you have a buried cable run which is frequently hit by lightning, the ultimate solution is to eliminate it using one of these methods:
a. Install Fiber Optic Cable. RS-485 or RS-232-to-fiber converters are available. Select a burial type cable with a NON-METALLIC protective sheath, or run standard fiber through PVC conduit to prevent rodent damage.
b. Install an RF Link. RS232, RS485, USB and TCP/IP can be converted to 900 MHz or 2.45GHz RF by using wireless modems. A specialized unit is available for access control which duplicates the reader and strike/gate connections from an access control panel over a 900 MHz or 2.45GHz RF Link.
These devices are available from B&B Electronics (bb-elec.com) Digi (www.digi.com) AvaLAN (www.avalanwireless.com) and Cypress Computer Systems (www.cypressworld.com)
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| PROTECT YOUR FACILITY |
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 If your facility is frequently hit by lightning, you can install lightning rods, grounding systems and other devices to draw lightning away from structures and to protect personnel from death or serious injury. Contact the National Lightning Safety Institute (www.lightningsafety.com) to locate a qualified lightning prevention consultant in your area.
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| KNOW THE RISK IN YOUR AREA |
This map will tell you if you are in an area with a high lightning flash density. While lightning can strike anywhere in the world, you may need to take more serious lightning protection measures if you are located in the orange, red, or pink areas on the map.
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Lightning Protection Pays Off!
Adding lightning protection into your access control system bid shows that you care about your customer, and that you do a complete, high quality, professional installation. Customers should be advised that while systems without lightning protection may be cheaper, they won't last, and every Spring and Summer, there will be expensive service calls to replace lightning damaged components. It is also more expensive to add lightning protection after the system is installed.
If you are installing systems with long cable runs and/or you are located in lightning prone areas, don't take shortcuts - install proper lightning protection.
Visit our website or call us for more information.
Bob Holland
Marketing Manager | |
