The function performed by the PDCE (Deionizer Lightning Rod of Electrostatic Charge by the acronym in Spanish) is the detention of the Lightning formation process, inhibiting the Ionization effect. This Technological innovation furnishes the creation of a balanced electrical atmosphere between the ground and the structure to be protected.

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PRESENTATION
Sertec S.R.L. manufactures and commercializes THE
PDCE (Deionizer Lightning Rod of Electrostatic Load by the
acronism in Spanish) technology, capable of preventing the
lightning formation and minimizing in a very significant way
the indirect effects of the electromagnetic pulses.
The climate change makes necessary to revise the
prevention and protection systems against atmospheric
effects such as solar storms, lightning and its
consequences.
Surprisingly, since Franklin’s time up to the arrival of the
PDCE there has not been any effective innovation in this
field.
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2.1. What is the PDCE?
The PDCE prevents the formation of lightning and
minimizes significantly the indirect effects (between 60
and 99%), from the induced over tensions by the
electromagnetic pulses and the ground derived currents, by
lightning strikes in areas out of its coverage range, which are
the cause of the majority of the failures in machinery, electrical
installations or accidents that can even cause the death. The
most effective way to protect against lightning is avoiding its
appearance. In case of strike it will harm individuals and
installations in proportion to the intensity transported by the
lightning potential.
In fact, all labor risk prevention laws, in its principles of the
preventive activity, indicate that the “RISKS MUST BE
AVOIDED” if possible and “NOT ATTRACT THEM”, like other
conventional systems do.
Without communications we would be in chaos, with the PDCE
we guarantee the continuity and well functioning of our
activities, with a total protection for living beings and for
installations.
The PDCE technology, was homologated by NATO the 9th October
2013, in the concept of “Lightning Protection System and
Electromagnetic Protector”, being the NATO code of the PDCE:
NCAGE: SUM83, guaranteeing that, further than preventing the
lightning formation, minimizes in a very significant way the
electromagnetic and electrostatic effects form external induced over
tensions, responsible for the majority of breakdowns and electrical
failures in the installations and electric machinery.
Moreover, as id does not produce sparks, in its functioning mode, it
is a LPS (Lightning Protection System) unique and highly effective
and efficient in ATEX areas (Explosive Atmospheres), eliminating in
a very significant way the explosion risks caused by lightning in the
installations with chemical processes, storage tanks and deposits of
flammable products.
For the first time we can protect of the direct lightning strike in petrol
stations, ammunition depots, gas pipelines and in general, in any
ATEX installation-type, preventing accidents of unpredictable
consequences.
With the PDCE it is not necessary to interrupt our daily activity due
to a storm; with the PDCE we can sail and do sport with security,
among other things.
Furthermore, it cleans the environment of the electrostatic loads
and, consequently, improves the communications, minimizes the
noise and extends the installations life and improves the quality of
the workplace.
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PDCE-SERTEC
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As it can be appreciated in the following maps of lightning density, the
influential areas where there are protected installations with the PDCE, have
experimented a considerable variation in the density of lightning strikes
(white areas), showing a meaningful diminution of them in the 2003-2007
period respect the 1997-2002 (were no PDCE installations existed)
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2.2. How it works?
The PDCE is an Atmospheric Downloads Protection System
and Electromagnetic Protector, THAT PREVENTS THE
LIGHTNING FORMATION, defined as a SENSOR system of
electrostatic loads ON TIME, of PDCE (Electrostatic charge
deionizer lightning rod) technology, that derives them to
earth, avoiding the electric field saturation in its environment
and preventing the lightning formation in the structure it
protects. It also MINIMZES, in a significant way (60-90%), the
indirect effects from lightning strikes in its environment, outside
of its coverage range, because in this case, it behaves like a
thermal fuse, absorbing part of the lightning energy into heat by
fusion of its internal components, reducing to the minimum the
electromagnetic effects.
The functioning principle PDCE technology, is based in
deionizing the electrostatic load present in any environment
around it, to control the electric field below the boundaries of
dielectric breakage of the air (GAS)
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Lightning is an electric reaction in the atmosphere,
created by the electrostatic saturation between two points
of opposite polarity and within a ionized dielectric
environment of low resistance. The electric phenomenon
develops normally during the storm clouds formation. The
typical thunder cloud is the Cumulonimbus that it
electrically transforms into a natural condenser (Q1),
forcing the apparition of a second condenser because of
the difference of potential between the cloud base and
the earth surface (Q2). The loads concentrate in the most
predominant points of the ground, and the load capacity
of the elements on the ground is proportionally related
with the load capacity of Q1, its travel speed, the medium
permeability and the distance variation between plaques
(base of the cloud and elements on the ground or the
Earth itself).
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The presence of leakage currents are the result of the induce loads
transformation between the two electrodes of the PDCE lightning rod,
specifically of the great difference of potential created between the base of
Q1 and Q2.
This process of leakage current is called “load deionization” and it is basic to
cancel all the processes that take part in the saturation of the electric field of
high-tension in the structures, responsible factor of the lightning formation
principle that starts with excitation of the descendent tracers (electric path in
the atmosphere), leader (ionization effect or tip that creates the ascendant
tracer) and the excitation and the lightning call (tracers union and energy
download). If these processes are controlled, the lightning apparition will be
voided.
The dissipation of loads capacity of the PDCE is influenced by the travel
speed of the condenser Q1 (cloud speed), the load time of Q1
(thermodynamic process of the cloud), the behavior of the Q2 dielectric (air
resistance below the cloud) and the ohms resistance of the ground of the LPS
(load transfer time). The intensity and polarity of the PDCE are variable
values depending on the polarity and distance between the plaques Q1 and
Q2. These parameters are referred and calculated at extreme working limits
that can occur in the nature (around 500Kv/m) to model the PDCE (Q3),
reason why the ground resistance value is essential for the LPS with the
PDCE to function in normal working regime.
As it has already been stated, the functioning
principle of the PDCE technology, is based on the
DEIONIZATION; it is achieved facilitating to the present
loads in the environment find its equilibrium without
saturation or difference of potential between them. The
LPS transforms the loads that are present in the structure
into wek currents to earth, due to its mechanical and
electric design that its characterized for constantly
controlling the difference of potential, inverting the
polarity of the current field that appears inside its two
electrodes (Q3). Its characteristic shape, facilitates the
internal sorting of loads, producing the apparition of an
internal controlled flow of electrons, that leak through the
downspout of the LPS, in the form of a weak current of
milliamps (between 50 and 350 mA in good weather and
between 700 and 1,600 mA in thunder periods) to the
ground of the LPS. The apparition of these weak currents
of milliamps that leak through the downspout of the LPS,
prevent the saturation of the surrounding electric field
and thus lightning does not appear in the area and/or
protected structure.
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The load control of the Q2 condenser, with a Q3
condenser, limits the time and the load tension of the
dielectric in the base of the Q2 condenser. Taking into
account that when the average field of the guide
(descendant tracer) and the salient points of the Earth
(ascending tracer), that can be many in any normal
environment, it reaches around 500 KV/m, the crown
currents of such points increase and transform into
ionized channels that propagate upwards in an analogue
way to the propagation of the step guide, propelled by the
electric field itself and taking into consideration that the
PDCE is proved (laboratory tests) that there is no
lightning appearance for much higher tensions than the
cited 500 KV/m. It will be important that the resistance of
the grounding of the LPS does not have a higher value
than 10 ohms, in order to not increase the load transfer
time of the PDCE, increasing the probability that the
exterior electric field is saturated and lightning appears.
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The minimum working height of the PDCE determines the
air isolation power and the working time factor of the PDCE
technology.
Given that the PDCE is the most predominant element in the
installation, it raises the ground potential to its lower
hemisphere, being the lower resistance point in ohms of its
environment regarding the earth level and the natural
environment, if a ground and masses equipotential exists. The
set of its characteristics convert it into one of the best loads
SENSOR SYSTEMS, for its location, capacity and polarity.
The ELECTROMAGNEETIC PROTECION, is another
complementary technological advantage that is offered by the
PDCE lightning rod, that the tip conventional systems cannot
reach. The PDCE is designed to offer protection of the so
dangerous electromagnetic pulses generated by lightning
(EMP) and from the radiated magnetic fields (EM). The PDCE
technology dissipates the radiated energy in the air, effectively
mitigating the radiated or induced magnetic fields, electric
fields and electromagnetic pulses in any frequency, power or
tension (E1, E2, E3).
It is an equipment that can be used either as lightning rod or as
electromagnetic screen, being transparent to the domestic or
industrial frequencies.
Four levels of electromagnetic protection exist. We use the PDCE
Senior Modl
BASIC LEVEL. Objective: Minimize the indirect effects up to 60%.
Installation requirements: R < 10 . Maximum distance between
PDCE’s of 180 m. Equipotential system and over tension protectors
of 40 KA power at least.
MEDIUM LEVEL. Objective: Minimize the indirect effects up to
75%. Installation requirements: R < 10 . Maximum distance
between PDCE’s of 160 m. Equipotential system and over tension
protectors of 80 KA power at least.
HIGH LEVEL. Objective: Minimize the indirect effects up to 90%.
Installation requirements: R < 5 . Maximum distance between
PDCE’s of 160 m. Equipotential system and over tension protectors
of 100 KA power at least.
MAXIMUM LEVEL. Objective: Minimize the indirect effects up to
99%. Installation requirements: R < 5 . Maximum distance
between PDCE’s of 160 m. Equipotential system and over tension
protectors of 100 KA power at least. There must be placed as many
lateral PDCE’s, as sides has the protected structure.
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TECHNOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PDCE AND THE CONVENTIONAL LIGHTNING RODS
 Does not excite and neither captures the lightning strike with a 99% efficiency
guaranteed by the laboratory tests and field tests (where efficiency 100% has
been achieved
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PDCE LIGHTNING ROD CONVENTIONAL OR PRIMING LIGHTNING RODS
 During the process of maximum activity of the storm, transfer medium values
(leakage currents) can be registered of between 700 mA and 1.2 A for each cable
of the lightning rod installation, with leakage peaks of 1.6 A when lightning strikes
occur 300 meters close approximately.
Excites and captures the lightning strike
During the process of activity of the storm, transfer medium values (leakage
currents) can be registered, in the case of lightning strike in the lightning rod,
through the installation cable of 120 A to 350,000A, being the average values
between 30,000 A to 70,000 A
2.3. Why is it the best?
 The electrostatic load of the installation is compensated progressively to ground
when the difference of potential between the cloud and the Earth increases,
neutralizing the tip effect in a 99% of the cases (Tracer or Leader) and minimizing
the electric indirect effects (electromagnetic pulses and derived current by land)
between 60 and 99%.
It increases considerably the probability of lightning strike in the lightning rod itself
(70-80%), for being a tip ionizing metallic element, with severe effects to its
surroundings, that will depend on the intensity transported by the lightning,
something impossible to predict.
In the case of direct lightning strike (that it is what they are designed for),
generates electromagnetic pulses, over tensions, over intensities and electric
risks, in the structure itself that it is supposed to protect and its surroundings,
which can be very important and severe.
 Protects all types of structures, specially effective for environments with fire or
explosion risk and predominant metallic structures, like telecommunications towers.
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TECHNOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PDCE AND THE CONVENTIONAL LIGHTNING RODS
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PDCE LIGHTNING ROD CONVENTIONAL OR PRIMING LIGHTNING RODS
 In the event of lightning strikes in close areas to the PDCE (indirect effects)
or impact in the PDCE (1%), the PDCE is built with melting materials (650ºC)
to be sacrificed like a fuse, transforming the lightning energy in the moment of
impact into thermal energy due to the type of materials it is made of, melting
part of it very quickly. The transformation effect of Electric energy/Thermal
energy, cancels the appearance of possible dangerous leakage currents
through all the LPS installation, negating the possibility of creation of radiated
electromagnetic pulses and dangerous step tensions (they are minimized
between 60 to 99%).
In the event of lightning strikes in close areas to the conventional or priming
lightning rod, or direct impact to the lightning rod itself (70-80%), it absorbs the
current melting the material progressively (dependent on the intensity that
arrives to the LPS), generating over intensities and over tensions in all the
installation where it is placed. We have to keep in mind that a copper cable of
50 mm section can hold 150 A of permanent intensity. When there is a lightning
impact of 40,000 A, for example, even though it happens in microseconds (this
transfer time will depend on the resistance of the grounding), the cable remains
completely rigid and burned.
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TECHNOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PDCE AND THE CONVENTIONAL LIGHTNING RODS
 It is compliant with the international laws of Labor Risks Prevention in its basic
principles of preventive action and the electric risks like:
• Avoiding the risks, as it does not attract lightning
• Evaluate and battle the risks that cannot be avoided, acting as a thermal fuse in
the case that indirect effects appear from lightning impacts in nearby areas.
• Take into consideration the technique, because it is always better a system that
does not attract lightning than one that does.
• Substitute dangerous elements for others that carry little or no danger, as the
PDCE replaces an element that attempts to attract a very important risk, like it is a
FRANKLIN tip.
• Adopt measures that set before collective to individual protection, as the PDCE
is a lightning collective protection system and avoids, in the area where it is
placed, having individual protections to workers, in the majority of the cases
ineffective, to the resulting electric risks of a lightning strike.
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PDCE LIGHTNING ROD CONVENTIONAL OR PRIMING LIGHTNING RODS
It is not compliant with the international laws of Labor Risks Prevention based on its
basic principles of preventive action and the electric risks:
• Dose NOT avoid risks, because it attracts the electrical risk from lightning strikes.
Moreover, we can never know which intensity will be transporting the lightning that
strikes, because it is random, and the derived effects of the lightning strikes depend
completely of the intensity it transports.
• Evaluate and battle the risks that cannot be avoided. The conventional tips will try
transferring the energy transported by lightning, through a copper cable of 50 mm,
reaching an earth, but in the point of impact of a lightning strike, a thermal effect is
produced in all the LPS (dependent on the intensity carried by the lightning it will be
lower or higher; and also on the earth resistance, the more earth resistance, the
more thermal effect there will be), an explosion effect (point of impact) and an
electromagnetic pulse (air conducted current that travels in all directions, that
transports a very high energy peak, that will depend on the intensity carried by the
lightning). Therefore, managing all these risks, WITHOUT IMPORTANT
CONSEQUENCES to the protected structure and the individuals around it, is
completely impossible, like they admit in their own regulations.
• They DO NOT take into account the technique evolution, because its
functioning principle remains being attracting lightning and thus, the risks that entails.
• Substitute dangerous element for others that carry little or no danger, as
attracting lightning, always carries a danger of unknown consequences, but very
dangerous.
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TECHNOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PDCE AND THE CONVENTIONAL LIGHTNING RODS
 Are not compliant with the laws of labor risks preventions, in danger
signaling, because through the PDCE LPS installation go low tension currents
and thus it is not necessary to signal electric danger.
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PDCE LIGHTNING ROD CONVENTIONAL OR PRIMING LIGHTNING RODS
They are not compliant with the laws of labor risk prevention, in terms of
danger signaling, as the installation of a conventional system is a high voltage
installation, because in a storm phase, they are designed to attract lightning
and if it strikes, through the LPS, go HIGH VOLTAGE currents, and thus
needs to be consequently signaled.
 Does not generate Electromagnetic Compatibility effects.
It is the biggest generator of electromagnetic pulses and moreover, of a very
high energy and therefore, very dangerous.
 The earth connection is compatible with low tension earths and thus, it can
by connected to the installation grounding, as long as it is lower than 10 ohms.
The ground connection is incompatible with the low voltage grounds, because
it is a high voltage installation and thus, cannot be connected to the earth of
the installation. It needs to be independent from it.
 Minimizes the installation shutdowns caused by direct lightning effects.
Reduces the journey and material costs due to lightning breakages. Optimizes
the electrical supply and the reliability in the information and the critical data.
Increases the technical shutdowns due to the indirect effects of lightning.
Increases the costs of journeys and materials due to breakages caused by
lightning. Reduces the effectiveness of the electrical supply and of the
information and the critical data.
 It does not generate crystallization of the ground and neither electrolytic currents.
Generates severe crystallization of the ground and electrolytic currents.
 It does not contain electronic or radioactive components.
Generates severe crystalization of the ground and the priming ones have
electronic components. Currently they do not have radioactive components.
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2.4. Regulations and specifications
• CE LABELING:
Directives 2001/95/EC (Product Security).
Directives 92/31/EEC (Electromagnetic Compatibility).
Directives 73/23/EEC (Low Voltage Equipment).
• NREGULATIONS under which the PDCE IS CERTIFIED BY
BUREAU VERITAS WITH CERTIFICATE NUMBER:NO.
ES036861
. UNE-EN (IEC) 62305: 2012 lightning protection: parts 1 (general
principles), 2 (risk evaluation) and 3 (physical damage to structures
and human risk).
. CTE (TECHNICAL BUILDING CODE) SU8, security against the
risk caused by the action of lightning)
. NFPA 780:2008
. NBR 5419:2005
. NTC 4552:2004
· APPLICABLE LABOR RISKS PREVENTION AND
SECURITY LAWS:
The PDCE technology lightning rods are LPS that satisfy the
minimum requirements for the health and safety protection of
workers against the electric risk caused by lightning,
according to Royal Decree 614/2001 of June 8th.
• NATO CERTIFICATE
The PDCE, in the concept of “Lightning Protection System
and Electromagnetic Protector” has been homologated
officially by NATO.
The PDCE is part of the NATO Cataloguing System (NCS),
by which it is guaranteed that one article in known within the
logistics of the user nations of the system (currently 28
countries belong to NATO), for a same and unique
denomination and a same and unique NATO Catalogue
Number (NCN), being the NATO code of the PDCE:
NCAGE: SUM83
• QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS:
Quality Management System according to international
standards ISO 9001:2008, certified by BUREAU VERITAS,
approved by ENAC and UKAS applied to: design,
commercialization, management, set up and assembling of
the deionizer lightning rod of electrostatic load and intelligent
ground.
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2.5. PDCE Technical Specifications
COVERAGE RADIUS AGAINST LIGHTNING STRIKES
It is guaranteed the protection against lightning strike in the structure where
the PDCE is installed. Its location determines the radius and protected area
where lightning will not appear in a 99% of the time, with a 100% efficiency.
These conditions will be certified an guaranteed, as long as the manual
requisites are respected and in its protection radius there are other potentially
ionizing structures, of equal or higher height to the protected one. In this last
scenario, the protection radius will be up to where this potential structure of
equal or higher height, which will need to be protected to guarantee the
coverage radius. The range of the protection of each PDCE model, has been
determined by the application of the THEORETICAL MODEL OF THE
ROLLING SPHERE, page 40, point A4 of the standard UNE-EN-IEC 62305
(PART I).
MAXIMUM WORKING TENSION OF THE PDCE OF PDCE TECHNOLOGY
WITHOUT LIGHTNING
640,000 volts at one meter, according to the high voltage laboratory tests in
the LABORATOIRE DE GÉNIE ELECTRIQUE of the PAU University (France),
Scientific Research University.
CERTIFICATION OF BEHAVIOR VERIFICATION OF THE PDCE
TECHNOLOGY IN SHORT CIRCUIT OF 100KA – 10/350 s according to
the requisites of the standard UNE-EN-IEC 62305
In order to verify the extreme behavior of the PDCE in the event of internal
short circuit (1%), the equipment is tested under simulation conditions of
internal short circuit with a step current of 100,000 A, according to the
regulation of the electro technical official central laboratory (L.C.O.E.) of the
Spanish Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce. With this test we
demonstrate also, the behavior of the material the PDCE is made with, and
the mechanical security in extreme cases (indirect effects by external
induced over tensions in case of lightning strike (1%)).
The PDCE goes through a series of short circuit tests , with 4 very quick
consecutive downloads, of 100,000 A each. We verify that there is no
mechanical damage after the first 2 tests, and in the last 2 only suffers
breakage of the isolation part (PVC), keeping its mechanical and functional
integrity.
APPLICATIONS
The PDCE technology is composed by 3 different models. Each PDCE
MODEL, is designed with the same objective of effectiveness, prevention
and protection against lightning. Its difference is in its size and weight, that
modify its working capacity and protection radius. Being possible to adjust
and enlarge the coverage areas to adapt to the protection needs of the
structures and the area. We can protect any type of structure except wind
turbines. For further information check point 16 in the PDCE Instruction
Manual.
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6. COMPOSITION MATERIALS AND PARTS:
16
PARTS MATERIAL ELECTRICAL
CHARACTERISTICS
DESCRIPTION
1
Aluminum
Upper electrode Upper hemisphere
2 PVC Electrical insulator Nipple
3 Aluminum
Lower electrode with electric and
mechanical connection
Lower hemisphere with main axis and
mast adapter
7. WEIGHT AND EXTERNAL MEASURES OF THE PDCE MODELS
MEASURES PDCE-SERTEC
Height mm 377,6
φ Width mm 241,7
Weight kg 7,222
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2.6. PDCE INSTALLATION GUIDE
1. INSTALLATION OF THE CONDUCTOR DOWNSPOUT.
When possible, the downspout of the conductor cable that connects
the PDCE with the ground will be as direct as possible. The
connection cables of the equipotential masses will be connected to it
along its path. The cable will have a minimum section of 50 mm² and
its path will be secured by adequate flanges or staples. In all the
cases, it will be avoided to create curves with inferior radius to 20
cms. When possible, it will be guaranteed that the cable path is
always descendent from the PDCE to the ground in one single path,
without making ascensions, keeping as much as possible vertical
course. In the event that the cable is exposed to possible breakage
due to vandalism or passing vehicles it will need to be protected with
a metal pipe for its mechanical protection. In other circumstances
where the structures to be protected are perfect electric conductors
with a superior section than the conductor cable, the structure itself
can be used as electric conductor, signaling it as a LPS cable. In this
case, a cable will be connected directly from the PDCE to the
structure in its highest part, at the height of the mast, and another
cable in the low part from the structure to the sacrifice electrodes.
ELECTRIC VALIDATION OF THE CONDUCTOR DOWNSPOUT:
Once the electric installation is done, in any of the configuration
scenarios, we will check the electric continuity to validate that the
PDCE and the ground are electrically connected, and that the
electric measure of the cable that connects them it is not higher to
zero ohms of resistance between them.
2. CONSTRUCTION OF THE EARTH SYSTEM.
Given that the resistance in ohms of the different land types, can
vary considerably during the year because of meteorological
changes, we will always search the best location and as close as
possible to the lightning rod vertical, and if possible in a humid area.
In all the cases, at least, it will be used a total surface of electrodes
in contact with the land, equal or superior to 1 m². The electrodes to
build the ground can have the form of a javelin or metal plaques,
made of copper, aluminum or zinc.
IMPORTANT: In no case stainless steel electrodes will be used, and
neither will be serially connected to the ground filters or inductances
that can slow the flow of currents in the ground cable or polarize it.
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ELECTRIC VALIDATION OF THE GROUND
Once the ground has been built, we will measure its resistance in
ohms, referenced to the land, to achieve a value equal or lower to 10
ohms in the set of the ground connected to the electric installation and
the equipotential. If we do not achieve this value, we will place more
electrodes and we will incorporate a humidity record in the land all
year, by means of an irrigation drip. Complementarily we can enrich
the set of the land/ground with mineral salts.
3. PERIMETER AND EQUIPOTENTIAL CABLE
In order to avoid that the dangerous step currents affect directly to
individuals, outside of the protected structure during a storm, it is
recommended to make a ring of grounds in the perimeter of the area
where exists the possibility of movement of individuals. The objective
is assuring the electric security of individuals in the event of lightning
strike outside the protection perimeter, minimizing the effects of
possible currents that can appear through the land near our protected
structure. This is achieved by combining the ground perimeter ring
that makes a screen effect, with the equipotential connection of the
metal elements that are near the ring and inside of it, in order to
reference them all to a ground plane, like could be: fences, garage
gates, lampposts, swings, water fountains, aerials, etc.
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For doing so, a ditch in the ground will be made, where the bare
copper cable will be buried, of at least 35 mm section, and at a
minimum depth of 25 cm and maximum of 50 cms. This bare copper
cable will be referenced to ground by the connection of the cable to
pickaxes of 1.5 m long that will be stuck in the ground within the ditch,
and separated between them every 10 meters. To this perimeter
cable, all the metallic masses will be connected electrically by unions
of bare copper cable unions of section not inferior to 2.5mm and not
superior to 50mm. With the same objective of achieving a harmonized
equipotential with the masses and the electrical equipment, all the
existing electrical grounds, new or old, will be connected to the PDCE
ground, guaranteeing then the same value in ohms in any point of the
installation. All the mechanical and electrical connections will be made
in a PVC or cement box, with the objective of revising its corrosion
during maintenance. In the case of lands where pickaxes cannot be
stuck, the javelins will be cut in 50 cms chunks, reducing then the
separation distance between pickaxes in equidistant measures within
the 10 meters. In case of impossibility of placing pickaxes, the
perimeters will be doubled with copper cable as many times as
needed to lower the resistance of the land. As a complementary
technical guide to this installation manual, related with the electrical
grounding, the more strict REBT references by each country can be
taken.
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PERIMETER AND EQUIPOTENTIAL ELECTRICAL VALIDATION:
Once the installation of the perimeter and equipotential cables is finished, the
installation will be validated verifying the electrical continuity in ohms between
the metal elements and the grounding, being in each step the resistance value
0 ohms. Ultimately, the electrical continuity will be verified between the further
mass point and the tip of the lightning rod.
4. MOUNTING OF THE PDCE TECHNOLOGY PDCE LIGHTNING ROD
Once the copper cable of the LPS has been placed in its entire outline and the
mast supports are in their correct position, we have to mechanize the mast
previously with the mounting hole before placing the PDCE.
MECHANICAL CONNECTION TO THE MAST
a) Once the adequate height has been decided and the mast with interior
section of 42 mm  (49 mm  exterior), to place the PDCE, we will need to
make a trough hole in the mast to guarantee the support and the mechanical
union between the PDCE and the mast.
b) Drill the mast with a through hole of 8 mm  and 35 mm from the mast
border.
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c) Once the hole has been made, we will proceed with the preparation of the copper cable for the
electrical connection of the PDCE to the mast.
1-Place the terminal in the copper cable and tighten it with a mechanical jaw.
2-Pass the copper cable inside the mast from the lower part to excel 1 meter from the
upper part of the mast
3-Loosen the two Allen screws.
4-Insert the cable through the connection terminal of the PDCE until it hits the bottom.
5-Tighten the Allen screws and verify that they are correctly tightened and that the
cable is not released.
6-Place a retractable cover (not supplied), covering the Allen screws and heat it until it
is properly sealed to avoid humidity going in. Finish sealing with silicone or Vaseline fat
to avoid chemical reaction with the air.
7-Insert the PDCE in the mast, place the through screw and tighten.
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ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FOR THE GROUND
CABLE
a) In the bottom part of the PDCE the axis itself ends in
the form of terminal for the connection of the
grounding cable of 35 or 50 mm . It is compulsory
to place a connection terminal at the ground cable to
assure the mechanical and electrical connection
inside the PDCE terminal.
b) In order to guarantee the electrical continuity of the
lightning rod to the ground, two Allen screws are
provided to mechanically assure the electrical
connection between the ground cable and the PDCE
lightning rod. To guarantee that no oxidations
occurs, it is advisable to flood the connection with
Vaseline, once the electrical connection has been
made
ELECTRICAL CONTINUITY VALIDATION OF THE SET
LIGHTNING ROD/GROUNDING
To validate the electrical continuity of the LPS with PDCE of
PDCE technology, once the mast has been placed, its electrical
continuity will be verified from the ground to the lower part of the
PDCE head. For this test, a meter of electrical continuity will be
used and it will be verified that the resistance between the two
points, ground/lightning rod, is zero ohms, (0 ). If the
measurement is correct, the mast can be placed in its definitive
position.
VALIDATION OF THE HEIGHT OF THE PDCE LIGHTNING
ROD
To validate the height of the lightning rod, it will be verified that
the total height of the head of the lightning rod surpasses 2
meters over any other element of the structure. Once revised, a
picture of the set mast/PDCE/structure will be taken where the
finished work and the environment can be appreciated. This
procedure is essential to sending it with the commissioning
record.
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23. BAJO LICENCIA
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IMPORTANT DOCUMENTATION
INTERNAL PROTECTION ACCORDING TO UNE-EN (IEC) 62305:2012, PART 4 STANDARDS.
As a complementary LPS protection, it is recommended to make an internal protection composed by different fine, medium
and powerful electronic protection technologies. The internal protection is installed in order to void possible sparks as well
as the destruction of electrical equipment inside of the protected area, caused by the effects of indirect over tensions,
generated by inductions and coupling when lightning strikes near the installation protected with the PDCE LIGHTNING
ROD WITH PDCE TECHNOLOGY.
For its effect of prevention and protection, there will be placed an electronic barrier of over tension protectors, generally not
higher than 50kA, in the general electrical panel, and the discharger will be connected by a ground cable, with a cover, to
an independent ground to the other ground systems or equipotentials. This ground, will only be used to discharge the
residual over tensions of the lightning coming from the network. Its resistance value in ohms will need to be lower than 10 Ω
in the worst climate conditions. When possible, the technology to be used as a discharger will have to be a GAS, and not
made of semiconductor electronic components.
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24. BAJO LICENCIA
COMPLEMENTARY NOTES ON THE PROTECTION AGAINST LATERAL
LIGHTNING STRIKES IN STRUCTURESS OVER 100 M HIGH.
To protect against lightning, in the structures higher tan 100 meters,
complementary levels of protection will be created every 100 meters. In this type
of structures, the set of external LPS will be formed by equipment placed in the
upper part of the structure and equipment placed every 100 meters of height
placed on the perimeter of the structure. The lateral equipment will be arranged in
every corner as a basic distribution, and there will be as many equipment in lineal
form to the perimeter, according to the distances of connection of the radius of
lineal protection, in a way that the lateral equipment, can be seen between them
and their protection radius are overlapped 10 meters each one, i.e. for the PDCE-
100 model, the maximum distance between them will be 180 meters.
The equipment will be placed in brackets adapted to the structure and separated
of it by 50 cm with a vertical inclination degree of 5%, in a way that it is inclined
outwards of the structure.
Electrically all the PDCE lightning rods will be connected by a perimeter cable at
every level of lateral protection and, every set of perimeter rings will be connected
to the upper PDCE and to the earth system by at least 2 copper cables of 50 mm
of section. This configuration of the LPS is made to guarantee the equipotential
union of all the equipment referenced to earth. The earth value for these type of
high altitude protections needs to have a maximum value of 5 ohms. For the
design of protection of structures of altitude higher than 500 meters and of
irregular and singular architectural forms, contact the manufacturer.
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25. BAJO LICENCIA
INSTALLATIONS
3.1. AIRPORTS: Approach Radar Systems
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3.2. Telecommunication Tower
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3.2. Telecommunication Tower
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28. BAJO LICENCIA
3.2. Telecommunication Tower
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3.3. Buddha in Japan
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3.4. Copper Mines in Chile
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3.5. Panama Channel
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3.5. Panama Channel
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33. BAJO LICENCIA
3.6. Petrol Station
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34. BAJO LICENCIA
3.6. Petrol Station
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3.7. Petrochemical
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3.7. Petrochemical
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3.7. Petrochemical
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38. BAJO LICENCIA
3.7. Petrochemical
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DISTRIBUTORS
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40. BAJO LICENCIA
Av. Gral. Santos 2555 c/
18 de julio
Asunción – Paraguay
Tel.: (595) 21 302023
www.sertec.com.py
technical dept.: achifarrelli@sertec.com.py
commercial dept.: hayala@sertec.com.py
SERTEC S.R.L.