PASSIVE-POINT  DISCHARGE SYSTEMS

There is no substitute for quality  and careful engineering of all aspects of any structure.  Therefore, there is no substitute for quality  lightning and static protection. The Lightning Experts Company is  very proud of its record in lightning and static protection. Our systems have  been extremely successful on structures located in all types of terrain and  climates.

Each Passive-Point Discharge element contains over 8,000 stainless steel points, which are arranged in such a  manner to produce maximum ionization.   The central twisted core of the unit is also made of stainless  steel.   The mounting bracket is  fabricated and galvanized and each unit is hand-finished and inspected.   A special lacquering process is employed  which is unique to our units.   This  process assists in further protecting the unit from effects of the  elements.

Three elements mounted on one site  will exceed 24,000 points and this is a very substantial figure considering the  density of the elements employed.   For  example, 24,000 points on a 100’ tower is more than adequate for the ionization  necessary to eliminate static and assist in dissipating the effects of  lightning.   The constant action of the  units, albeit passive action, insures that the area of ionization protection is  far-larger than the size of the units themselves.  

This Passive-Point Discharge system is also unique in the angular mounting method and the linear,  weather-resistant design, which insures that ice and snow do not accumulate on  the units.   The Passive-Point  Discharge system is designed to give virtually zero-wind-load effect by  design and withstand tremendous wind velocity and all other forces of  nature.

The system allows for flexibility  of design in that the units can be doubled or tripled or arranged in a variety  of methods to accommodate the particular structure.

In the concept of positive  ionization, static is eliminated by the continual ionization, which is produced  by the multitude of points of the units.   During a lightning event, when the atmosphere is most excited, the  ionization acts as a kind of dissipater. Our units have been seen to glow on a  number of structures on humid, stormy days. This effect is consistent with the  theory that ionization is always taking place and with this great number of  points of stainless steel, the effect is very successful.  

Passive-Point Discharge Brush System   It is a law in physics  that any material will be continually emitting ions.   This material may  be wood, concrete, paper, iron, steel, etc. Another law of physics is that any  material object that is pointed will emit more ions than a flat piece of  material. . ION An ion is nothing more than an atom or group of atoms that have lost or  gained an electron, therefore there can be negative ions that have an excess or  surplus supply of electrons or there are positive ions that have a deficiency of  electrons. ARRAY The Passive-Point Discharge Brush System (PPD-1900) is an array of  stainless steel pointed elements that are constantly emitting ions to the  atmosphere. STATIC The constant ion emission of the Passive-Point  Discharge Brush System serves to remove static build-up on a site,  especially where multiple broadcast equipment is in use thus enhancing clarity  of signal. LIGHTNING Lightning is the movement of electrons from one  cloud or object that is negatively charged to a cloud or object that is  positively charged. EXAMPLE During a thunderstorm, thunderclouds pass over the surface  of the earth and they will become negatively or positively charged, depending  upon the elevation of the individual cloud and the specific speed that the cloud  is traveling.   To have lightning move from one cloud to another, there must be a  difference of polarity between the individual cloud  formations. NOTE: One must be positive and one must be  negative . For electrons to travel from one  cloud to another, they must overcome dielectric loss between the individual  clouds, which requires 1,000 volts for 1 inch of dielectric air space, or to  travel 12 inches, it will require 12,000 volts, therefore, for electrons to  travel through space there are extremely high voltages. This same principle  applies if lightning would strike trees, telephone buildings, radio towers,  television towers, etc. There will also be a variance of high current or  amperage during a lightning  strike.