NIMBUS AN EFFECTIVE FEEDING DEVICE

ADVANTAGES

In the instant when a lightning flash goes to earth a discharge on any raised structure is produced. Passive protection systems such as a mesh air-termination system only capture the discharges which the protected structure would receive, due to the lack of a capturing system which attracts the lightning stroke.

The feeding device of type Nimbus releases electrical discharges to the air in order to create a discharge path for the lightning stroke assuring this way an improved efficiency in the capturing of lightning.

WORKING PRINCIPLE

By means of the feeding device, the system emits a high voltage signal with a certain frequency and amplitude. Its efficiency is obtained by creating an upgoing path up to the downgoing path of the lightning stroke. This way a striking point on an altitude higher than the protected structure is created which increases the radius of the protected area if compared with a standard lightning rod.

ENERGY AUTONOMY

The feeding device does not need any auxiliary power supply such as other lightning capturing systems. The Nimbus obtains the energy for the generation of the high voltage signals from the electro-magnetic field which is automatically created during thunderstorms (between 10 to 20 KV/m).

The values determined in the tests correspond to average values. These values are evaluated in the standards NF C 17 -102 or in UNE 21 186 according to the random nature of lightning.

In the Nimbus range a 40% security margin is applied in the models Nimbus CPT-1 and Nimbus CPT-2 (45µs and 70µs obtained) and a 60% in the model Nimbus CPT-3 (155µs obtained). Then the Dt values are the following: 25 µs Deltat for Nimbus CPT-1 40 µs Deltat for Nimbus CPT-2 60 µs Deltat for Nimbus CPT-3