Combo Disconnect Enclosures From Raycap

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The need for standardization of electrified equipment that is in proximity to the public is paramount. This is being driven home recently in the explosion of 5G microsites or “small cell sites” happening across the globe. There were 154,000 small cell sites in 2019 according to CTIA, and that number is expected to balloon to more than 800,000 by 2026. This is simply because the demand for 5G connectivity is strong, causing a land grab by competing carriers to create 5G coverage within their networks. The issues arise not from the desire or need for the service itself, but from the drawbacks involving the equipment used in the process. 4G macro sites can be positioned on tall cell towers upwards of a mile from the device connecting to the network via that site. They can also be positioned this distance apart while still maintaining a reliable network that will not lose coverage or drop calls. This enables 4G macro sites to be installed farther distances from the users than 5G allows. A 5G small cell site will be smaller in size and scope, but still requires several electronic components to be installed within around one-tenth of a mile from the user or other sites. This poses the issue of overwhelming the landscape with equipment mounted to poles and structures, ultimately hurting the aesthetic beauty of a region in the name of technological advancement. Because of the desire for both 5G coverage and aesthetic beauty, there has been a significant push over the past few years to create new materials which will allow better concealment without blocking signals coming from and to  antennas or radios. Creative installation methods and placements have hidden equipment where it can be concealed, but this equipment still remains exposed in many situations, and externally mounted enclosures found on telephone poles and streetlights can create an unsightly jumble of boxes and wires that actually could become dangerous for the public and utility workers. In order to interact with these installations, utility workers must have a basic understanding of the ways that each equipment piece is connected to the power supply. Because of the different components and the unique setup of almost every installation, dangers can present themselves as a result of the wiring and live electricity. Raycap has designed a streamlined presentation for use in these small cell applications, where a combination disconnect enclosure will house both the metering equipment as well as the main breaker that supplies all telecom equipment that is connected in the system. This presentation is aesthetically pleasing, replacing the number of visually exposed boxes and wiring into a single unit, while also assuring a single and easy method of completely shutting off power for maintenance, with optional surge protection as well. Providing the standardization that prevents accidents through understanding of the system as well as the streamlined visual approach to the equipment that is mounted within view of the public is an elegant solution to a growing issue that will continue to be needed more and more as more sites are rolled out by carriers to satisfy demand for 5G. The future can be both technologically advanced and beautiful.

Combo AC Disconnect Enclosures Keep Workers Safe And Cities Beautiful

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The phrase “combination AC disconnect enclosure” describes a specialized box that can be used to standardize the installation of 5G microsite or “small cell” electrical equipment. This enclosure provides several benefits to the public, and mainly these will be noticed as a way to conceal the array of wires and boxes into needed in the process into one single slim elegant enclosure, away from public view. While there is no denying that 5G technology is coming to an area around you, the way that it will impact the aesthetics of the area is debatable. A 5G microsite is smaller than a 3G or 4G macro site or cell tower, but there must be many more of them in place in order to maintain network functionality. While the 5G network signals are faster, they degrade far more quickly than previous generation cellular signals, meaning that the typical mile apart needed to maintain connectivity is reduced to one-tenth of a mile with 5G small cell mmWave sites. This results in 5G equipment in densely packed urban environments being positioned closer to users instead of far away on building tops or cell towers. To function properly, 5G mmWave small cell sites must be in close proximity to one another, and at or near street level. The means that you are going to be noticing far more boxes and wires all over utility poles and streetlights as you move through the area you live or work. Many people are resistant to change because of the side effects that change will have on the environment. With regards to 5G rollouts, which are expected to go from 180,000 currently to more than 800,000 over the next few years, this will mean that you will be seeing different looking poles, and poles hosting enclosures that can contain all types of electronical equipment needed for the small cell site, plus radio receivers and antennas mounted to the tops of them. These installations require the support of local utilities to hook them up to the main power, and with this comes expense and also potential danger. Each piece of equipment is powered by an electrical connection, and the possibility of accidentally encountering a live electrical feed is possible when workers are seeing different typese of connectivity setups each time. Raycap’s solution to this is its new “combination AC disconnect enclosure” which consolidates the electrical equipment necessary into one streamlined box complete with an easy to see and use AC power disconnect. After the installation of these systems on a small cell site the utility can easily disconnect the AC power going to the pole equipment before making any necessary repairs.

The vast array of boxes and wires that are involved in the 5G microsite are often not very pleasing to the eyes. The AC combo disconnect enclosures manufactured by Raycap conceal and combine the equipment and wiring involved in the process, reducing it to a slimline and standardized presentation in a single enclosure. The power supply feeds an integrated metering device, which then moves to a single breaker which enables power shut off to the entire array of equipment. This standardization in combination with concealment keeps access to the dangerous power supplies away from the public, and makes the setups easier to work with for utilities and others who would need to interact with the site for repair and maintenance. As 5G rolls out across the world and more microsites impact the daily lives of citizens and workers alike, the choice to use a combination AC disconnect enclosure or not may be the difference between a beautiful and smart city, or just a smart city.

Indoor 5G And Effective Concealment

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The first rollouts of 5G technology have been met with great excitement by those desiring faster speeds for download and connectivity. After only a short period, the pushback began with criticism of the amounts of equipment necessary for the infrastructure. The tradeoff between the faster 5G speeds and connectivity and older 4G and 3G networks is the amount of equipment that must be in proximity to the user of the network, and the distance necessary to the user’s device. With distances of upwards of a mile possible for cell towers comprising 4G networks to function effectively, much of the telecom infrastructure equipment used in the process could be installed far enough away from people to not have them notice. Because 5G mmWave small cell sites must be around one-tenth of a mile from the user, the visual impact is often noticed and sometimes less than desirable. For these reasons, the concealment industry has shifted its focus from mainly doing concealments for macro sites, to the concealment of 5G network equipment, often within challenging urban environments.

A “challenging environment” is a way to describe a multitude of urban areas that might not be accepting of the installation of new network infr4astructure, especially if it will be readily seen by the public and have an impact on the aesthetics of a particular region. While the availability of 5G signals and services within that area would be met with positivity most certainly, the “destruction of the landscape” in the name of technology is often not very well received by City planners and residential bodies. In an urban environment where densely packed people interact every moment, we find that these constituents can view the efforts to bring in 5G via small cell installations as counter-productive. These environments have been more receptive to 5G rollouts if the equipment can be concealed inside new street poles or hidden on existing poles that would already be there providing street light. Additional creative methods have produced a wide variety of custom solutions ranging from church steeples to side mounted shrouds designed to blend into the building on which they are placed, and into the surrounding landscape. At the core of the ability to conceal equipment within challenging landscapes is the materials used in the process. To this end Raycap has developed a technologically advanced material called InvisiWave®, as well as other materials, that will enable the rollout of 5G infrastructure by the wireless carriers. This material allows for 5G signals, whether mmWave or in the C-band spectrum, from antennas and radios to pass through it effectively, without degrading the signal. This allows the small cell equipment to be installed closer to ground levels while also concealing it, without upsetting the beauty of the region. Within indoor areas like stadiums or airports, the same philosophy of creative solutions is being used. Within the Tampa International Airport for example, 5G mmWave small cell sites allow connectivity for all major carriers, these sites being installed into walls and ceilings, or inside shrouds tastefully mounted or hung where necessary. This has allowed the Tampa Airport to provide 5G connectivity in its most high traffic areas and also to provide compensating 4G and 3G signals within areas that are lesser trafficked. Through additional optional features that can be built into the installations themselves, these sites can be maintained by airport personnel, all while also having the public present. Through the combined efforts to provide safety and beauty, large indoor installations as well as hidden outdoor installations are bringing 5G to a wider population, and in areas where it was not available before.

Indoor 5G For Large Venues

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The rollout of 5G networks relies upon “small cell” installations of network equipment at relatively specific distances apart. This differs from previous iterations of 4G and 3G with regards to the amount of space between equipment installations that can be covered before areas of dropped coverage form. Macro cell tower sites were able to be much farther away from the devices accessing the network, as well as from each other. Distances of nearly a mile between equipment installations were possible without a loss of coverage between them. 5G micro sites or “small cell sites” offer far faster speeds with regards to data transfer across the network, but do so at the expense of distances that can be placed between network nodes. This translates to far more equipment being placed within the regions that people physically interact within, with equipment being placed at street level and within about one tenth of the distances that 3G/4G allows. The increased speeds are welcomed, but the increased amount of telecom infrastructure equipment installed within an already packed visual landscape is not. The result is an effort towards effective concealment, blending equipment in with existing structures or shrouding it all together to avoid a cluttered look. Within urban areas this is especially important as many push to keep the architectural and oftentimes historical integrity of the region above all progress. While exterior installations of 5G micro sites are challenging, even more challenging can be the installation of 5G networks within large enclosed spaces. In areas like airports, stadiums, arenas, malls or other venues, the offering of 5G network speeds to customers is highly desired and often expected by the patrons. The problem is figuring out ways to install the equipment into the regions that people are physically interacting without creating visual blights. In areas like Tampa’s International Airport, this goal has been effectively achieved through the use of both creativity and technologically advanced materials. Deploying 5G mmWave small cells inside an enclosed space is similar yet  different from the methods used for external applications like poles and rooftops. In these specialized installations the equipment must be incorporated onto walls and ceilings up above where people walk and converge. The small cell concealments must be not only visually appealing but also provide safety aspects for airport workers who may need to access them directly for maintenance, all the while with  throngs of customers. Through the use of optional power disconnect devices integrated within the small cell setups, maintenance can be done without the potential mishaps that might come with working with electricity inside of areas that are accessed by the public. The use of Raycap’s patent-pending InvisiWave® technology also allows for the 5G mmWave equipment and antennas to be mounted behind the concealments yet within close proximity to customer traffic, presenting no visual clues that it is there. This specialized material allows 5G signals to move through it without disruption, yet provides enough stability to be used in the construction of small scale concealments. The result has been the integration of 5G services through high traffic areas of the airport, accessible to customers without showing itself to them. The new wave of 5G small cell concealment is possible with Raycap’s InvisiWave material and its other Stealth concealment product line

Streamlining And Beautifying 5G

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There is a land grab happening all across the world as cellular carriers attempt to build the fastest new networks possible for their customers. The intense competition among the major players in this industry is legendary and leads to a situation where the companies offering the fastest speeds and best coverage are the ones who stand to gain the lion’s share of new customers, with the competition being left behind. For the most part, right now this relies upon new 5G technology, which allows significantly faster download speeds, as well as more seamless video play, gaming and clarity of call reception. The difference between 5G speeds and 4G are noticeable, so it is not like customers are debating the switch if they have experienced it. Simply put, if one network offers 5G speeds in a region and another does not, there is a good chance there will be many consumers switching cell phone providers. For this reason, networks are aggressively rolling out as many 5G microsites or “small cell sites” as possible, in an attempt to be first to the table to offer 5G speeds in a region. This means that there will continue to be a significant increase in noticeable infrastructure equipment positioned on utility poles, street light poles and other structures in the urban right of way in the near future, with estimates predicting an increase from 180,000 to more than 800,000 of these microsites within the next few years. The microsites must be positioned around one-tenth of a mile apart, unlike the 3G/4G network nodes that can have a mile or more between them while still providing excellent coverage. The increase in the amount of new telecom infrastructure equipment that will need to be mounted all around people, and the need for it to quickly be brought on line by the utility once installed, calls for standardization and streamlining of equipment both for beauty and for safety.

Raycap’s new connectivity and protection device made for the purpose of streamlining equipment wiring of 5G micro sites is the combination AC disconnect enclosure. This device brings together a number of the existing disparate boxes that had been installed to a pole into just one slim line enclosure, replacing the need for many ugly boxes to be attached to a single small cell pole site.  The units improve the ease of installation and serve to clean up and streamline the jumble of wires, electrical equipment that’s necessary for functionality. The product also acts to help standardize not only the look and feel of externally mounted boxes, but the power connectivity, providing a routing for AC power to move first through a metering device then to a single disconnect or circuit breaker before going on to other equipment in or on the small cell pole. This method enables the utility whose workers will need to power up the equipment once installed, or maintain it should that become necessary, to work around or with the small cell equipment safely. Through this kind of product standardization, utility workers can cut the power to an entire small cell site with a single breaker, being confident that they have eliminated exposure to live lines that may be providing power to the site. The units also add a layer of protection for the public, who will be in far closer proximity to these installations than ever before, due to the necessity for them to be so close to the devices themselves. The combination AC disconnect enclosure is an elegant solution that furthers the carriers desire  towards a 5G rollout that blends into the landscape while also providing electrical protection and safety.

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5G mmWave small cell installations are a challenge for operators who face pressures from both city planners and the public with regards to equipment placement and aesthetics. The understanding that 5G networks must utilize more equipment packed into more dense spaces in order to provide full functionality without dead regions is being pushed back upon by those who wish to keep their cityscapes looking as they did in the past. All progress in the technological arena involves equipment, and without that equipment mounted and positioned as necessary the technological forward motion cannot happen. There must be a balance between the technology and the living spaces of human beings to create a pleasant environment, and the modern “smart city” is designed to be more functional than ever while also hiding the necessary equipment from public view in order to maintain the look and feel of the region. Few people want to live in an area that is overly dominated by industrial equipment, so 5G rollouts have been punctuated by the need to also create concealment possibilities that are technologically advanced as well as pleasing. With 5G mmWave small cell network nodes needing to be positioned at or just above street level in many cases, and within one-tenth of a mile of each other, this challenge increases significantly.

The effort to move forward on approvals and installations while still moving toward online connectivity is being tackled by Raycap, a company that develops innovative concealment solutions that are both flexible and technologically advanced. Through a multitude of concealment types ranging from partially concealed to fully concealed, Raycap is using innovation to speed the process of 5G rollout in an unobtrusive way. Just a few of these innovations are seen in the use of its patent-pending InvisiWave^® concealment technology, new integrated poles and side mounted enclosures, rooftop solutions and additional elements like AC disconnects featuring Strikesorb surge protection designed to ease installations and ongoing maintenance. InvisiWave technology enables the concealment of 5G mmWave radios & antenna with a material that does not hinder or degrade the performance of the 5G signal. Through the development of streamlined and uniform mounting arrangements that can be used on small cell poles or pole mounted enclosures, the installation of 5G equipment within densely packed urban areas at street level is easy with almost no visual impact on the appeal of the region. Where poles cannot provide the installation needed then rooftop solutions, externally mounted building enclosures and a myriad of other methods of concealing equipment can be used. It is possible to utilize artistic measures to mimic colors, textures and visual elements to provide a visual blending into a background. Using additional elements like AC quick disconnect systems, equipment installations can also be updated and worked on by utility maintenance workers in a far less risky way, enabling the cutoff of power to the installation in a quick and easy way. Through these types of innovations in concealment and electrical protection and access Raycap is leading the way towards faster and more simplified 5G rollouts within nearly any city environment, giving 5G mmWave networks the ability to improve the lives of citizens without negatively impacting them.

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While “out of sight out of mind” is certainly the mindset that drives the use of specific enclosures such as street cabinets that hide the existence of telecom equipment, it is not primarily driving the need behind concealment of small cell 5G components. While the creation of a visual landscape that is not dominated by the equipment used in the process of keeping us connected is a motivating factor, the consistency and equipment used under that concealment structure as well as the ability to easily access or disconnect it quickly is also a factor. With the advent of 5G technology we as citizens will have a better experience with regards to the speed of information download and streaming to our devices, but we may do so at the expense of landscape and aesthetics sometimes. The previous generations of connectivity equipment set the standard that we’re used to with placement of radios and antenna at the tops of towers in a distributed base station architecture that can communicate some distance – a mile or more –  while ultimately providing a good cell phone signal. We have grown used to the visual aspect of a cellular tower or equipment every mile or so and understood that the “blight” on the landscape was necessary in order to provide convenience and coverage. 5G technology provides far faster speeds, but the distances between installations must be placed at far shorter distances due to the different signal and frequencies. The desire for faster download speeds means people will need to get used to the mounting and installation of far more equipment, equipment that will be placed closer together and almost at street level in many cases. Simply put, this creates a situation where we will be better connected but the landscape becomes dominated by the equipment providing that connection. Through both unique technology as well as innovative concealment techniques, operators have developed both standardized and completely unique methods of placing the equipment used in the 5G process “out of sight.”

Structures are identified as being in the correct place and position in order to provide the nodes for 5G equipment used in a network. These structures are chosen due to their placement distances from the other small cell sites, as signal degradation creates “dead spots” where signal strength reduces dramatically. This creates a situation where 5G equipment must be positioned within or connected to structures that already exist in a specific place. If that structure offers a high point like the roof of a building, the challenge becomes ways of placing that equipment on top the building so as to provide 5G coverage. Another way might be to mount the 5G equipment in a concealed box that is made to match existing architecture and mount it on the side of a building. Through the use of innovative techniques as well as materials that allow the 5G mmWave signals to pass through with little to no degradation of the signal, the goal is always to place the equipment where it is not going to be noticed. If the equipment cannot be hidden inside a structure, then the creation of a housing that mounts to the structure externally but still blends into the totality of the landscape is preferrable. Raycap, utilizing it’s STEALTH product line as well as unique materials like InvisiWave^® allows 5G mmWave equipment to be appropriately and beautifully concealed while also providing the best signal strength necessary.

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Concealment is the art of hiding something. There can be many reasons for concealment of equipment, the most appealing being the need for something to exist without the negative impact that its presentation could cause. A good example from the past of concealment are the power lines that feed every home and business. These power cables must come into contact with any structure that they are tasked with feeding power to, and the easiest method of doing so is to run power lines suspended in the air on poles, ultimately connecting them to homes and businesses. This suspension makes the lines easier to connect and work on, but ultimately dominates the visual landscape in order to achieve connectivity for everyone. Some areas desire to streamline the visual landscape by removing these types of items, but the disconnection of power is not an option to do so. As a result, the concealment efforts brought innovations that allowed the cables to be laid underground. Through the development of techniques and materials to service this new type of installation, power connectivity in these regions did not have to be disruptive or ugly.

The transition from 3G and 4G to 5G wireless communications involves the installation of a significantly increased amount of equipment with nodes that need to be positioned closer to one another and to users. This means that for a 5G signal to be useful to a person on the ground, the radiating equipment must be close to them at slightly higher than street level. In order to create an effective network 5G mmWave equipment must be installed within only one-tenth of a mile or so from another installation. This increase in the amount of equipment in order to achieve the goal of 5G connectivity would be visually shocking, and as a result the concealment industry has stepped up. The concealment industry is being led by companies like Raycap who with their STEALTH^® line of concealment products are constantly developing new materials and techniques to hide equipment without compromising its ability to do its job. Materials like Raycap’s InvisiWave^® allow for 5G mmWave equipment to be shrouded and enclosed into structures without impeding the 5G waves being transmitted and received by radios and antenna. Concealments using InvisiWave material can be designed in a way that blend into the surrounding environment, ultimately enabling the 5G equipment to be positioned as necessary, without being noticed or seen. Additional creative methodologies are being used to provide concealed, partially concealed, or fully concealed street light poles; as well as street cabinets, pole toppers and side-mounted shrouds. These installations blend 5G small cell sites into the existing landscape seamlessly, concealing them within light poles that are already necessary and accepted by the public. Other concealment options that allow for equipment attachment on roof tops also present unique opportunities through the use of InvisiWave screen wall apertures that can be painted to match existing rooftop structures made of brick or stucco. Through blending the equipment into the background effectively, 5G technology can be rolled out without the upset that can come to residents by noticing changes to their environment. The smart city can be beautiful as well as functional.

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A push to modernize our urban regions in America in order to attract both new citizens and businesses that would employ those citizens is happening everywhere. City planners now realize that they cannot rest on their laurels in terms of the ambiance and connectivity services offered in their cities. They cannot simply draw on the mystique of the past in order to gain new future residents. Instead, the race towards modernization is driving decisions, and the desire to both create a modern infrastructure while also keeping the beauty of the landscape in place is the dream of the modern “smart city.” A “smart city” can be basically described as one where internet connectivity and high-speed communication are easy and stable. People today are intrinsically connected to others through their smart phone or wireless devices, allowing them to not only communicate and entertain themselves, but also work effectively. Slow internet and spotty communications networks make it difficult to attract people to want to live in a region, and result in increased frustration. If people know that there is better internet connectivity in other areas, they will choose the other areas. And those that come to settle in those areas do so not only utilize the services available, but also to be around other people who share a passion for a particular locale. Therefore a push to integrate 5G technology into the city landscapes has been on the upswing, but making sure that the equipment used in the developing infrastructure is hidden is also a large part of the process.

The completely functional and interconnected city landscape in the modern world could take on a very dystopian look if not for the desire to preserve the aesthetic look and feel of a region. One drawback to 5G technology, which is the backbone of the “smart city” is the necessity to install a significant amount of equipment at street level and within the visual plane of people going about their daily routines. 4G and previous iterations allowed for signals to travel further distances without degradation, enabling operators to install them on the larger “macro” towers. But 5G signals travel shorter distance from node to node, and need to be in closer proximity to each other and the 5G devices, so as the desire to achieve higher speeds with more bandwidths becomes stronger, so does the need to install equipment into places where people are not used to seeing it. This ultimately creates a sense of destroying the beauty in favor of the technology. Raycap understands that the rollout of 5G worldwide must include new equipment and positioning based on the types of radios and antenna used, so they have developed new and innovative methods of concealing the infrastructure equipment from view while also keeping the signal at maximum strength. This is being accomplished through the design of structures that seamlessly integrate into an existing landscape in the form of Next Generation Integrated streetlight poles that replace existing lighting structures with a pole that can hold or house  5G equipment and antennas. They also create unique and completely custom solutions which allows the masking of wireless communications equipment that is less easy to conceal or needs to be  externally mounted. Through the use of their unique and patent-pending 5G mmWave concealment material  (InvisiWave), as well as creative techniques for keeping the landscape’s general look and feel intact with visually appealing textures and patterns, Raycap is paving the way for the modern smart city, with its elegant and technologically advanced STEALTH concealment solutions.

5G Small Cell Concealment In Urban Areas

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As the demand for 5G speeds increases across the world, unique challenges are being faced by telecom companies as they attempt to satisfy their customers’ demands while still being respectful to city and county aesthetics. This is especially the case in densely packed urban areas with thousands of users wanting to utilize 5G networks without having spotty coverage areas or worse having no  connectivity at all. The challenges are relatively simple to understand, but the solutions are technologically complex. 5G networks rely heavily on small cell sites to provide connectivity, due to the higher frequencies that are used in the process and the inherent propagation loss that comes with those frequencies. ISD (inter-site distances) for many of the current 5G mmWave radios have been shown to have limitations of one tenth of a mile, translating to a simple issue: a large number of small cell sites are needed to provide 5G coverage in these regions. These sites also need to be positioned closer to the ground than previous iterations of networks, meaning that they are placed within the visual plane of thousands of users. From a usage standpoint the answer is simply to integrate the equipment into the positions necessary to provide good coverage. From an aesthetic standpoint the solutions are more difficult, as this equipment must be blended into unique regions in a way that does not conflict with the aesthetics of the area. Especially in historic regions, this can be challenging.

One of the most obvious solutions to the issues of equipment concealment in a pleasing and unobtrusive manner is to use the existing lighting poles in a right of way, integrating the equipment within the structure or covering it externally. Street lighting poles present this opportunity in nearly every urban environment, allowing for the effective concealment of AC and DC-powered 5G mmWave as well as 4G antennas and radios. These concealment options can also hide the AC disconnect functions needed for each location, and containing effective surge protection devices and other telecom infrastructure equipment. The STEALTH concealed small cell pole by Raycap accomplishes these goals while also maintaining the aesthetic integrity of an area. Through the use of “pole toppers” the antenna and necessary equipment that relies upon clear signal receipt and transmission can be positioned at the top of the structure. Raycap’s unique and patent-pending InvisiWave® material can be used in the concealment process as 4G and even 5G mmWave signals are unaffected by it. Concealment of the 5G mmWave radios and antennas is one of the biggest challenges of the small cell concealment process. Through the top positioning and the use of InvisiWave, not only is the pole more visually appealing, it can also achieve optimal performance.

STEALTH concealed or partially concealed small cell poles allow for integration into the urban environment in a way that meets the required coverage patterns while still allowing for future upgrades. The pole toppers (or radomes) are able to host different brands of 5G mmWave radios and are also backwards compatible with lower frequency brands as well. They allow for orientations of radios and antennas to be different as necessary, along with these radios being mounted on different levels or back-to-back. The outcome is a technically advanced solution that advances the use of 5G coverage without destroying the visual integrity of any area.

Combination Disconnect Enclosures From Raycap

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5G small cell sites are dramatically increasing in number year to year. In 2019 there were 154,000 small cell sites and by 2026 there are expected to be 800,000 small cell sites. This rapid growth rate is due to the increasing demand for 5G services in every area, and the additional benefits that go along  with 5G. But to get there, the infrastructure needs to support the special issues with 5G. Primary among these is that 5G small cell sites need to be closer together (generally under one tenth of a mile apart) than 4G equipment, typically installed on the taller “macro” cell towers. 5G signal propagation distances are shorter and ultimately this translates to the need for 5G nodes in densely packed areas to be closer together and lower to the street level. Carriers are faced with not only the issues of rolling out enough small cell sites to create an efficient network, but also the integration of these nodes into the existing environment without creating an eyesore. The best solution is the use of lighting poles with the support equipment integrated into or on them, with antennas, radios and connectivity equipment positioned at the tops of the poles, above the heads of pedestrians. The challenge to creating a streamlined presentation instead of ugly and incongruent numerous exposed equipment enclosures has been met in part with Raycap’s combination AC disconnect enclosures. These streamlined enclosures combine equipment that would have been in disparate boxes and present no hazard to utility crews who are working around them. They enable a standardized presentation that can be utilized effectively by utilities in many regions.

The typical installation of multiple boxes and interconnection between them is unsightly and can prove dangerous for utility workers. The use of the combination disconnect enclosures solves this issue while also providing a streamlined access to power which is typically underground in urban environments. The enclosure allows for power connections to be run to the base of the enclosure instead of being snaked through or around it.  The enclosure will house the AC power connection and AC power meter which can be easily read by the utility. This meter then connects to an AC disconnect of main breaker. This connection allows for the electrical flow to be easily disconnected when service or repair is necessary. The AC disconnect combo product can manage multiple radios each operating at different 5G bands.

The combination meter and disconnect enclosure from Raycap eliminates the mess that exists within small sell sites with regard to independent power management. Through the use of a standard unit and disconnect, the wires and boxes that would typically clutter up lighting poles and buildings can be presented in an elegant streamlined way.  The enclosures are able to be painted in order to be more harmonious with the pole or building on which they are mounted.  The power run to the box eliminates the exposed wiring that further clutters many installations, ultimately helping to create a 5G small cell site that is not dangerous or unsightly.

Integrated Small Cell Poles

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The development of the “smart city” is not a new concept, however the actual implementation of the necessities to achieve a level of connectivity for all residents and devices has been slow to roll out. This is because of the upgrades to the networks that must be made, and the encumbrances that are found within 5G equipment that must replace or co-exist with existing 4G equipment. 5G offers greatly increased speeds and bandwidth, which will be the difference between connectivity that will provide value to residents of that area and connectivity that remains slow and frustrating. One of the biggest lures for businesses to a specific area is the speed of internet connectivity within that region, and through the rollout of 5G, city planners cannot only improve the lives of citizens with regard to access to high definition video, educational tools, banking and entertainment, they can also add to the economic growth of the region by attracting companies. The technical issues that come with the advent of 5G small cell sites do not outweigh the benefits, however it must be known that network functionality is only possible if these sites are installed within around one-tenth of a mile of one another. Previous 4G macro sites can be installed miles apart and function fine but the higher frequencies of 5G are unable to travel as far a distance without degrading. Therefore it is necessary in a 5G network to install around 6x as many 5G small cell sites within the same region that two 4G macro sites will cover, and to install them lower to the ground in order to create full coverage without dead regions. Each 5G small cell site may involve several 5G radios and 4G radios to take up any slack in coverage, as well as antennas, ancillary equipment, fiber and AC power. The mounting of this amount of equipment externally on poles or buildings creates an unsightly look as well as a safety hazard for utility workers who must interact with the site. The answer is the new generation of small cell poles from Raycap, marketed under the STEALTH product brand.

This new generation of small cell poles – concealed, partially concealed or fully concealed and fully integrated – is designed to become the new multi-purpose streetlight poles in a city scape, and allows for a streamlined integration into the city landscape while also providing 5G cell coverage, standardization and safety for utility workers. Many will feature Raycap’s combo AC Disconnect, which supports the 5G infrastructure with access to AC power, a disconnect device, power meter and electrical surge protection. The AC Disconnect on an integrated small cell lightpole allows utilities to conveniently read meter levels and disconnect power to the entire small cell site should upgrades and/or maintenance become necessary. The 5G radios & antennas at the top of the pole are also able to be concealed through the use of Raycap’s patent-pending InvisiWave® material, whose construction allows for 5G signals to pass through with minimal degradation. These technologies allow an entire small cell site to be enclosed within a light pole without external equipment mounting, creating the streamlined and aesthetically pleasing look that city planners hope for. They will also enable the technologically advanced 5G network to be installed within their region, improving the lives of residents through the effective rollout of 5G services.

Integrating 5G Into The Urban Landscape

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City planners continually face challenges with regard to the rollout of new technology. Their job is ultimately to improve the lives of the city residents as well as to attract opportunities for businesses to flourish in their region, while also improving the aesthetic nature of the city. Nobody wants to live in an area that is technologically advanced but looks cold and robotic, so the challenges facing officials on ways to integrate technological advances into the cityscape are numerous. This is especially true when those advancements also involve the significant expansion of communications networks in order to improve upon an existing system. In the case of the upgrade from 4G to 5G in urban environments, the previous generations of cellular technology primarily utilized macro cell sites that could be positioned a mile or more from one another and still provide complete coverage and connectivity. The new 5G high frequency signals are significantly faster but the nodes need to be positioned closer together in order to maintain achieve optimum connectivity. They also need to be closer to the devices themselves, so at street level, in order to effectively send and receive 5G signals. To illustrate the magnitude of this increase, 5G small cell sites must be positioned one-tenth of a mile apart to maintain the same connectivity rates as 4G sites positioned a mile or more apart. This increases the number of small cell sites that must be added to a network, multiplying the equipment involved by more than six times. While the benefits of 5G in urban environments is obvious, with increased access to higher resolution video, more financial and entertainment options available, and educational opportunities brought closer to home, the desire not to create an unsightly landscape also is important. This is why the latest technological advances from Raycap in the concealment industry are so important.

Raycap is now offering multiple solutions to conceal 5G small site equipment. Their STEALTH product lines include streetlight poles, side mounted equipment shrouds, rooftop panels and more as integration points for 5G radios, antennas and components into the network. Raycap STEALTH design engineers will work with carriers, real estate owners and city officials to offer solutions that create a safer, more pleasing environment by concealing network infrastructure equipment within a wide variety of different concealment options. All individual components in a small cell site are connected to an AC power disconnect which is connected to a power meter, providing safety and access to utilities. Built in surge protection and the ability to disconnect easily when repairs or upgrades are necessary helps utility personnel to service the small cell sites whenever needed. By combining and standardizing many components, typically found in two or more boxes on a wall or streetlight pole, the landscape is more attractive and safety and ease of maintenance are increased for those working around them. Using Raycap’s patent pending InvisiWave® solution to conceal the 5G mmWave radios and antenna, signals can effectively be received/transmitted while the hardware is hidden. The commonly used mmWave frequencies used in 5G networks have been proven to effectively pass through Raycap’s InvisiWave, assuring that the signals are not compromised. The “smart city” of the future is here, and 5G is rolling out in your area without even being noticed.

The Complications Of 5G Concealment

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It is expected that there will be an increase of small cell sites from the roughly 86,000 that were recorded in 2018 to more than 800,000 by 2026. This is due to the ever-increasing demand for 5G services within urban environments, which create unique challenges. High quality scalable manufacturing of the components necessary to roll out this increased level of services and connectivity will be necessary, and this brings unique challenges that call for creative solutions. In order to create an expansive and reliable 5G network, small cell sites using mmWave radios and antenna will be called upon to provide much of the coverage in dense urban areas. These devices utilize higher frequencies and as a result exhibit increased propagation loss over long distances. This means that the distances between small cell sites will be smaller and the sites closer together, to within one tenth of a mile of one another. It also requires them to be lower to the ground than the previous generation of wireless equipment. Because of these factors there is need for a significantly increased number of installations at positions that are far more visually obvious to people at ground level. Thus,  the need for both creative and technologically advanced concealment options grows.

In dense, high volume urban areas 5G small cell sites are going to become far more prevalent. You may notice them cropping up in neighborhoods, on city streets and in historic areas. They will co-exist with the current network of lighting poles as well as street furniture installed for other purposes, and must be integrated ways that do not create visual imbalance with the existing infrastructure environment or the beauty of the cityscape. In many ways, the integration of 5G equipment onto and inside of streetlight poles is the most obvious solution – one that will not disrupt the look of a neighborhood or landscape. These structures are something that citizens are already sued to seeing, and they offer the least amount of change in the scenery since many streetlight poles and telephone poles already exist and are outfitted with equipment. Fully or partially integrated and concealed poles will be able to combine all elements necessary to the infrastructure as well as fully conceal a small cell site. The STEALTH concealed small cell pole manufactured by Raycap is available in a variety of options and able to integrate all equipment either in or on it using inside cavities or shrouds. The small cell poles also mount 4G Radios or 5G antennas/radios in the pole topper or “radome”,  in order to optimize performance while also easing concealment challenges. Pole toppers are optimal ways to conceal radiating equipment, and when used in conjunction with Raycap’s InvisiWave® material that does not interfere with 5G mmWave signals, they provide the coverage and performance that is necessary to create an unobtrusive small cell network that is also functionally advanced.

With small cell sites obviously destined to be positioned on many city or suburban blocks in the near future, the aesthetics and high performance of the concealed equipment must work in unison to create a situation where function does not over-ride form. Raycap is leading the way with its ambitious STEALTH line of concealment products. The overall goal is to help create a fully functional 5G network that is hidden from plain site. Raycap is leading this charge, and success will mean you will not see us in the future!

The Difficulties Of A 5G Rollout

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5G is changing the landscape in many urban areas where poor internet and phone connectivity have hindered the capabilities of residents. Improvements to the lives of inner-city Americans depends heavily on access to information, educational opportunities, banking and high-definition video. In order for these types of services to become more prevalent and more useful for people in densely packed urban areas, the rollout of 5G networks is critical. 5G offers a speed and bandwidth boost over 4G connectivity that can make the difference between access to useful information and a blackout of service to an entire area. Luckily, the rollout of 5G connectivity and services is beginning to happen in many major metropolitan areas, with city planners working diligently on not only the technological aspects but also the methods of supplying the connectivity in the most unobtrusive way possible. This has to be considered carefully with respect to a particular urban environment because 5G small cell sites must be placed far closer together than those supporting the previous cellular generations. 4G equipment has been primarily placed on macro towers that can roughly one mile or more apart in order to provide adequate connectivity, without dead spots and dropped service areas. The higher frequency 5G signals need to be considerably closer together in order to provide a similar level of connectivity, with small cell nodes needing to be around one-tenth of a mile apart for optimum coverage. This means that roughly six times the amount of 5G small cell sites are necessary in order to provide consistent coverage within an area. Integrating this large amount of additional equipment into a densely packed urban environment is difficult, and the fact that the small cell sites need to be closer to the ground puts them directly in the visual plane. This is where the creative and technologically advanced solutions from Raycap come into play.

The STEALTH suite of products offers a variety of different small cell pole, shroud, topper and screen wall options all suitable for installation in dense urban environments. These specialized concealment structures allow for all of the cell site equipment to be concealed and connected. An AC Disconnect enables installation on site and allows utilities to access the power and meter with ease. This Raycap equipment also allows utility workers to safely access the power within the small cell site in order to provide service upgrades and/or maintenance. The InvisiWave® materials enables 5G mmWave signals to pass through without degradation or signal loss, giving the small cell network the ability to provide a consistent connectivity for those using the network. Through the integration network infrastructure equipment and concealment, Raycap is enabling the rollout of 5G connectivity to areas that may have been underserved in the past, while also providing a streamlined and aesthetically pleasing integration of the equipment. Through these advancements, city planners and carriers bringing 5G to the masses in a way that will not significantly change the visual landscape, and allowing improvements in services to enhance connectivity and improve the quality of life for inner city dwellers.

The Options For 5G Small Cell Concealment

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The effective rollout of 5G mmWave networks depends on the ability to not only place small cell sites within one-tenth of a mile of one another to avoid dead areas, but also the ability to safely conceal these sites. The first issue is a technical one, brought about by the higher frequencies of 5G mmWave frequencies and the fact that they will exhibit increased propagation loss the farther distance they travel. This creates a significant limitation on the ISD (inter-site distances) that can be maintained and still provide complete coverage. Previous wireless generations were able to be placed higher on structures while still maintaining effectiveness, with 5G mmWave equipment needing to be lower to the ground to offer the same connectivity. In a nutshell, this means more small cell nodes within the network that will be in the visual range of people at ground level, ultimately making it necessary to conceal the sites in order not to create an unsightly landscape. In dense urban areas this becomes even more challenging as the demand for coverage increases with higher populations, yet the desire to not compromise the visual integrity of historic areas or urban beautification projects remains strong. The most obvious answers to this dilemma have come in the form of concealed or partially concealed streetlight poles loaded up with equipment.

The existing grid of streetlights that are in metropolitan areas are a necessity, and in many ways help to define the aesthetic of the area. Through the consistent use of complimentary materials, colors and designs these poles are not only functional but are also an asset to help create the defining tone within a region of the city. An “integrated small cell pole” utilizes structures similar to these to incorporate the equipment needed for the 5G network. Due to their proximity to the street and one another, they represent the perfect opportunity to position small cell sites within the needed range to achieve effective network coverage. Concealed small cell STEALTH pole solutions from Raycap effectively conceal the connectivity equipment including 5G mmWave radios/antennas, 4G radios and antenna, all the cabling and other necessary equipment including AC disconnect and surge protection devices. Concealment solutions mimic the architecture of the region in which they are positioned and the 4G/5G antennas and radios are positioned at the pole top to optimize the performance of the network. Pole topper concealments or “radomes” are available on existing poles with equipment shrouds attached, or as a part of a fully concealed and integrated pole solution. By deploying Raycap’s “InvisiWave” material as the concealment for the pole topper, 5G mmWave antenna and radio signals are virtually unaffected. The radome toppers are large enough to conceal one or more antenna or radios in a manner that it is not blocked by potentially interfering materials or enclosures while still maintaining the aesthetic condition of the landscape. The pole topper can be designed according to carrier requirements to host different brands of 5G mmWave radios, and can allow both existing and future implementations as upgrades become necessary. Either through the mounting of new integrated poles for 5G concealment, the utilization of existing poles with pole toppers and side mounted shrouds, or through the use of InvisiWave apertures on side-mounted enclosures that blend in with the buildings on which they are installed, through concealment options 5G can exist in even the most historic areas without compromising the aesthetic.

The Smart City Is Also Beautiful

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One of the biggest challenges for city planners is the implementation of technology solutions that do not have a significant impact on the aesthetic beauty of a downtown or neighborhood. Especially in historical regions, people are not willing to sacrifice the charm of a city simply to provide technological advancement, which is why urban planning is a balance between the two. Urban areas cannot exist in a time warp, never improving their infrastructure or way of life for their citizens, but also they cannot move so far technologically that the areas lose their charm, which has happened far too often. This is one of the major difficulties with regard to what is potentially the biggest development in recent history with regard to cellular networks and the availability of information. The “smart city” will rely upon fast internet connections and edge services to provide all of the solutions that people and devices will require in the next 20 years. Slower internet and low bandwidth will not be able to manage all the data that will be available. Citizen’s want access to entertainment and high definition video, banking, educational tools and business opportunities that are all dependent upon fast internet with lots of bandwidth. The rollout of 5G networks in urban areas promises to advance regions that once were underserved. The problem is not with the 5G technology, it is that the physical network must be upgraded in order to manage all that data.

4G technology was mostly installed on “macro” tower sites that could be installed within one or more miles of one another and remain fully operable, without loss of coverage. 5G utilizes different and in some cases higher frequencies that propagate more quickly, but only span about one-tenth of a mile. So, when carriers are rolling out their new 5G networks within densely packed urban areas, they need to place more than 6 times the amount of small cell sites than the previous generations of cellular  technology needed. 5G also requires that the nodes of the network be mounted closer to the ground in order to provide the connectivity and services needed. Because of the potential aesthetic blights that this much equipment mounted externally in a cityscape would cause, Raycap developed advanced concealment solutions marketed under its STEALTH brand. A new generation of concealed small cell products promises to streamline the approval process as well as the installation of small cell nodes withing a city landscape, all with the intent of providing citizens with the benefits of 5G. One solution Raycap is providing are specially designed and engineered streetlight small cell poles that can be concealed, partially concealed or fully integrated and concealed, depending upong the needs of the carrier, its construction partners and the city. In these solutions all of the radios and antennas, ancillary equipment and power cables are accounted for and provided in the concealed small cell pole. At the pole top the antenna and radios in a concealed pole would be behind an InvisiWave® topper or “radome”, enabling the transmission and reception of 5g mmWave signals. InvisiWave is Raycap’s patent-pending concealment material that was engineered to enable 5G mmWave signals to pass through with little or no degradation. When connected to the rest of the infrastructure equipment in or on the pole, including Raycap’s AC disconnect systems with electrical surge protection, the optimum 5G small cell node is created. The STEALTH integrated small cell poles from Raycap are designed to enable installation, upgrades and repairs in a more efficient and safe manner. With the integration of Raycap’s STEALTH and InvisiWave products into a downtown or neighborhood, the smart city can not only be functional but can also be beautiful.

The Streamlining Of A 5G Rollout

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The 5G small cell rollout happening across the entire world is creating issues with regard to both functionality as well as aesthetics. This is happening for a simple reason, there is a significant amount of equipment involved in the installation of a 5G small cell site, and there needs to be a lot more of them than previous 4G networks. As a matter of fact, the current amount of 154,000 small cell sites that are in existence as of 2019 is expected to increase 5X to more than 800,000 by 2026. Aside from the increasing demand for 5G connectivity by customers, the reason there are so many small cell sites predicted to be installed is because of connectivity. The higher frequencies involved in 5G have a shorter propagation distance than 4G macro towers, and to create a seamless network without dead spots small cells generally need to be within one tenth of a mile of one another.  The increased number of installations that is necessary calls for the utilization of existing structures at street level so as to not overwhelm the aesthetics of a region in a negative way with lots of new structures. This is why the obvious choice to use streetlight poles as small cell sites makes sense. Raycap has solutions to both  safely and aesthetically address how small cell sites are designed and they work with carriers, real estate partners and municipalities to develop the best fit concealment solutions for these sites.

An interesting and not inconsequential aspect of 5G small site installations is the need for AC power that must run to the components involved. Since Raycap are experts at both concealments and power management solutions, it only made sense for them to develop products that support the power needs at small cell installations. Each installation will have multiple radios, some operating on different 5G bands. There are also radios that will fill in blind spots through providing 4G services. Each radio needs AC power and fiber backhaul connectivity. When combined with the antennas and other ancillary equipment that is used at small cell sites, all being mounted directly overhead of pedestrians, one can easily see the issues regarding power management. Utility workers needing to make installations, upgrades and repairs are also in contact with these installations. The new combo AC disconnect units from Raycap combine and standardize the installation of electrical equipment into a slimline aesthetically pleasing unit that can also be adapted to blend into the background of whatever it is being placed upon. The units are designed to bring the power in from the bottom of the enclosure and then up into the equipment above it inside the pole, solving the issue of unsightly wires being run up the poles and to the equipment. The AC disconnect allows the power service to be easily disconnected when necessary, contains an area for a power meter and electrical surge protection. It brings the power from the disconnect to a load center and distributes it through multiple breakers and ultimately to the equipment necessary in the small cell installation. Through the use of Raycap’s combo disconnect enclosures, the 5G rollout becomes more streamlined and standardized, as well as safer.

Urban Planning Challenges and 5G

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The ongoing rollout of 5G wireless services across metropolitan areas is creating both challenges and opportunities for urban planners and city officials. Within already congested regions where citizens, buildings and infrastructure elements are densely packed together, the additional integration of 5G connectivity poses issues. While the benefits of 5G networks are obvious, with faster speeds and higher bandwidths allowing for ultra-high definition video, access to educational and entertainment services from any region, as well as financial service access in regions where there are no banks physically present, we find that the technological rollout of 5G networks poses some significant challenges. Part of this is due to the limited distances that some high frequency 5G signals can travel without being diminished, and connections weakened or dropped completely. The traditional 4G macro cell site can maintain distances of more than a mile without connection loss, but 5G mm Wave cell sites must be placed within less than one tenth of that distance to achieve the same connectivity. 5G mmWave small cell sites also must be lower to the ground in order to provide the necessary connectivity, meaning there must be from 6 to 12 more 5G cell sites in a region than previous 4G iterations. This need for such an increased number of sites in order to maintain reliable connectivity poses issues for those in charge of development of city landscapes, both from a safety and aesthetic standpoint.

In order to advance urban regions to “smart city” levels through the rollout of fully covered areas of 5G connectivity, city planners are finding a key to success through the utilization of a staple on city streets, the streetlight pole. Through the use of this street fixture, the integration of 5G equipment can be achieved within the positions it needs to be and at the distances necessary for optimum connectivity. New lighting poles and other concealment solutions can be designed by Raycap design engineers with input from the carrier, real estate partner, integration partner and the municipality, allowing for a final product that the citizens will approve and will also complete the carrier’s mission of installing a 5G network. By concealing all the 5G site components and radios with designs that support the technology, such as InvisiWave®, Raycap’s patented material which can be used to conceal 5G mmWave radios and antenna with little to no signal degradation, both the carrier and the city’s needs are being met. Raycap’s STEALTH products are defined by a wide array of solutions, not only streetlight poles, but also side mounted boxes or enclosures painted and made to blend in with an existing building, rooftop screens and side mounted shrouds accompanied by pole toppers or “radomes”. All of these solutions are at the disposal of the carrier and the municipality and are presently being installed in many different municipalities in the United States. By providing solutions for the concealment of equipment, the 5G “smart city” is no longer a dream of the future, it is here today.

EV Charging Stations In The Future

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One of the biggest hindrances to a more widespread adoption of electric vehicles in the United States is the difficulties in locating charging stations.  Tesla has spent a significant amount of time and effort as well as funds in order to create a private network of supercharging stations that will ultimately boost the sales of their vehicles due to their wide accessibility.  Tesla has deployed fast charging technology methods which decreases the charging time for their vehicles (and others only if they have  a specific adapter) significantly over what is expected at the current time.  This hindrance to the remainder of the electric vehicle market has caused a slower adoption of these types of vehicles in the United States, and although there is a push from both environmentalists as well as government agencies to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions, we still face a profitability issue.  In order for private industry to roll out expanded installations of electric vehicle charging stations, there needs to be more electric vehicles on the road.  The desire toget EV manufacturing and sales to over the current 2% of the market in the US is impacted by the lack of available charging stations.  This vicious circle will need government intervention in order to move forward. That intervention is here in the form of the two trillion dollar infrastructure bill that is being pushed by President Joe Biden.  It’s uncertain at this time the fate of this infrastructure bill, even though a majority of Americans would welcome it, the congress will have to find a way to move forward. With the adoption of the EV part of this program, President Biden believes that there can be more than 500,000 fast charging electric vehicle charging stations installed throughout the United States by 2030.  This infrastructure will need significant cooperation from the private sector who can project profitability within the industry, as well as count on tax incentives and grants to help build out this charging  infrastructure.  The cost of the level-three charging station can be between 120 and $260,000 installed, and even though it is projected that these fast chargers will be able to deliver an 80% capacity within 10 minutes, their high cost of both installation and operation, and slower development of the technologies needed, has created a slow roll out.  If the Bill passes, through the public and private sector cooperation it is projected that the electric vehicle market will be able to significantly increase as well as provide profitability for the companies involved.  There are currently around 41,400 charging stations in the United States, and fewer than 5000 of them are fast chargers.  When compared to the 136,400 gas stations, the issue regarding private businesses expanding their footprints to include charging stations is clear.  Until more electric vehicles are put on the road, the mainstream businesses involved in providing the charges will move forward very slowly.

Through the reduction of operating costs, the incentive of profitability is greater.  It has been shown that the integration of technology such as the advanced surge protection devices offered by Raycap to the industry can significantly reduce operational costs over time through the avoidance of damage as a result of electrical surges and lightning strikes. Raycap is leading the charge to the adoption of more charging stations in the United States.

Electric Vehicle Adoption Rates Are Slowed By Private Industry
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As part of the two trillion dollar infrastructure bill that is being advanced through the United States government at this point, tax incentives and rebates for electric vehicle buyers as well as those involved in the industry are one of the premier aspects. The desire to convert more vehicles that are on the road in the United States to electric has been in play for many years, advancing slowly but not fast enough to have a meaningful impact on climate change. At the current date only 2% of the 17,000,000 cars that are sold every year in the United States are electric. While each major vehicle manufacturer is offering an electric vehicle at this point, more must be done in order to change the trajectory of consumer point of view in order to achieve their goals. Solutions must be provided that will make the ownership of an electric vehicle easier for people in the United States, and although Tesla has made great strides in solving the major issues for their own customers, these advances in technology have not helped the industry is a whole. Tesla has done what they have done in order to sell more of their own vehicles, and the solutions that have been developed are exclusive for their own products. Aside from the stylishness and power levels that are achieved by Tesla vehicles, one of the main improvements that has been made has been in the availability of charging stations and the swiftness with which those stations can charge your car. Tesla has created a completely autonomous network of fast charging stations that will serve Tesla vehicles (and others only with a special adapter) and will provide a full charge in around half an hour’s time. This same timeframe must be achieved within a wider range of universal fast charging stations in order to advance general electric vehicle ownership with United States consumers, and there must be more of them to make charging more convenient. At the current time there are only 41,400 electric vehicle charging stations in the United States and fewer than 5000 are able to provide an 80% charge in less than ½ hour. In order to create a wider network of fast chargers, the government has realized that they must infuse benefits into the private sector which will encourage the building of more fast charging stations. Level-three chargers cost nearly $250,000 to install and are expensive to operate. A consideration in the maintenance of these fast charging stations is the damage that can result from lightning strikes and overvoltage events coming from the grid. In addition to the incentives that the government is offering, private industries are providing technologically advanced solutions which will also bring down the costs of operation. Raycap has done its part to develop technologically advanced power surge protection devices that can be integrated into the footprint of a vehicle charging stations, ultimately driving down the ongoing cost of operations over time. This can help to increase profitability as the market continues to grow and push forward towards the goal of 500,000 charging stations nationwide before 2030.

Surge Protection Devices

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When you say “surge protection devices” the public is apt to think of surge strips that can be bought at Walmart or any convenience store.  These are the relatively crude devices that you have in your home, and that you probably bought because it would give you the ability to plug several appliances into one outlet.  The most common reason that people purchase surge protection devices is that they want to use several electronic devices in the same general vicinity, and have concerns that they might overload the system if they plug all of the components into extension cords or other devices that provide the ability to have multiple plugs.  While this is certainly a concern, the main reason for surge protection devices is not to give you more outlets. Instead, it is to protect the equipment that you have connected to the electrical power source through the surge protection device.  They were created for one specific reason, to provide protection against the overload of circuitry on expensive electronic equipment by stopping the flow of electricity if it exceeds a certain level.  The concept originated with circuit breakers, where the electrical supply to a residence or business was controlled by a series of breakers which would disengage if the electrical current exceeded a specific amount.  The only way to restore this level of power would be to reset the breaker.  The same concept applies to surge protection devices that exist within your home or business as well.  These devices provide a more accurate level of protection in that they are more sensitive to the specific amounts of electricity flowing.  Even though the circuit breaker may also be employed in this capacity, the surge protection device works in a far more sophisticated manner.  When your computer or other sensitive equipment are plugged into a surge protection device that is plugged into your power supply outlet, you provide the next level of protection against even minor surges that happen every day.  The flow of electricity may be regulated but it is far from consistent, and even minor fluctuations that exceed the levels that computer circuitry can withstand will ultimately shorten the life of that component, if not destroy the circuitry completely.  While residential and light industrial surge protection devices are important, industrial surge protection is even more critical.

Industrial surge protection devices work in much the same way as residential surge protection devices do, only with more robust housings and components that enable them to function on higher electrical flow levels.  Residential electrical levels are nowhere near what is necessary for industrial facilities to function, and in addition industrial businesses generally utilize far more expensive equipment than a residence will.  Therefore industrial surge protection devices must utilize the highest level of technological development and advancement in order to continue to protect our ever expanding and connected industries.  Every year the stakes go up, and every year the need for industrial surge protection devices rises as well.

How Government Is Aiding In EV Development

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Emerging industries can usually rely on the government for some assistance to a certain degree, especially if that industry is beneficial to the whole of society.  Over the course of the last 30 years there has been a push to create more solutions that will reduce carbon emissions in the United States, one of the primary aspects of this being the reduction of gas-powered vehicles.  The push by environmentalists for a wider spread adoption on the part of the public for electric vehicles has run into some stumbling blocks and adoption has been slow because of the general perception of the vehicles being impractical.  For many years electric vehicles were viewed as underpowered and not stylish, as well as ineffective at traveling long distances due to low battery capacities and a lack of convenient charging stations outside of the home.  To charge your car and home it will take several hours, and the universal charging station network in the United States overwhelmingly features chargers take more than an hour to deliver an 80% charge.  This is proven to be problematic for wider spread adoption of electric vehicles.  Tesla has made strides to impact wider adoption of their products, but this has not improved the market in general because the Tesla network of superchargers is specific for Tesla vehicles, and others but only with a specialized adapter. In order to push American ownership of electric vehicles past the 2% mark where it currently is at the time of this writing, more fast charging stations need to be built.  Private industry is slow to build new stations due to their expense when compared to the amount of people that are driving electric vehicles overall in the US.  The cost of a new level three charging station that can deliver an 80% charge in under ½ hour is nearly ¼ million dollars, and the ongoing operations are expensive because of potential damage to the sensitive equipment.  The equipment utilized in the process is expensive and easily damaged by electrical surges caused by nearby lightning strikes and/or power surges from the grid. This is so even as the footprint of these faster charger stations need to be expanded.  A wider footprint means a higher possibility of damage as a result of lightning strikes to an area, and ultimately can factor into the decision making of private industry into making the investments necessary due to build out the network infrastructure for EV charging. Through government incentives that are baked into the two trillion dollar infrastructure bill that currently proposed in the US Congress, as well as ongoing improvements to the technological aspects of the process, it is with high hopes that projections of more than 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations can be installed in the United States by 2030.  If this goal is to be accomplished, a major impact on climate change could be achieved as more people switch to driving electric cars.  One of the ways that private industry is assisting in this process is through the development of more robust specialty surge protection devices that are integrated into the systems by the manufacturers of the EV chargers before they are even installed in order to protect the equipment when power surges happen. Raycap has developed the most technologically advanced industrial surge protection devices in the world, and is playing a significant role in the expansion of electric vehicle market as a result.

More Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Are Necessary

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/wp-content/uploads/EV-Charger-Global-Application-paper_EN.pdf

US President Joe Biden is presently pushing for an expanded adoption of electric vehicle technology by both the public as well as private industry as part of his two trillion-dollar infrastructure Bill that is being debated in the US Congress.  He and many others in his administration recognize the need to significantly reduce carbon emissions in the United States and the world in order to have a viable planet for Americans and citizens of the world to live and thrive upon. The plan also provides tax incentives as well as rebates and government funding of programs that will attempt to sway more people’s decision to switch over from gas-powered to electric powered vehicles.  In the United States, the desire to have at least 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations installed throughout the country is the priority.  This would solve one of the issues that has proven to be a major factor in the decision-making process when people are choosing to purchase a new car.  They perceive electric vehicles as being underpowered and difficult to charge, simply because it takes a long time to charge at their home and they cannot find universal charging stations conveniently.  There are 41,400 electric vehicle charging stations in the United States and fewer than 5000 of them are the type three fast charging stations.  Compare this with more than 136,400 gas stations nationwide, and you can see how those who are considering switching from gas to electric powered vehicles are dissuaded by the ability to charge their vehicle when not at home.  Most existing electric vehicle charging stations are going to take more than an hour to charge the vehicle 80%, which is perceived as being insufficient to create more customers.  These are many of the reasons that the electric vehicle market accounts for only 2% of the vehicles sold in the United States each year.  As Joe Biden and the government realizes, there must be a wider rollout of electric vehicle charging stations for there to be a wider adoption of electric vehicles by the public.  Although Tesla has made great strides in convincing the public that an electric vehicle can be everything that you wanted it to be, their network of charging stations is not universal, and charges Tesla vehicles and others but only with a specific adapter. This proves that there must be government cooperation with private industry in order to facilitate more of an installation incentive for universal charging stations.  The level-three chargers will cost nearly $250,000 to be installed, and service less than 2% of the vehicles on the road, so the current profit margin seems difficult to justify the price.  While the infrastructure bill would make it more attractive for private businesses to become involved in the space, there needs to be more done to bring down the costs of both installation and ongoing operation in order to push the industry forward. Raycap is doing its part with the creation of technologically advanced surge protection devices which when installed by the manufacturer of the electric vehicle charging stations, can reduce the ongoing operational costs by mitigating cost risk from electrical surges.  By avoiding ongoing expected damage that comes as a result of power surges and lightning strike surge activity, manufacturers can improve the profitability and reduce downtime. Through this multipronged attack on the disadvantages of electric vehicle operation and profitability of charging stations, the goal of 500,000 by 2030 is possible.

More Electric Vehicles Means The Need For More Convenient Charging Stations

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/wp-content/uploads/EV-Charger-Global-Application-paper_EN.pdf

Electric vehicles are nothing new and have been around for many years.  Only over the course of the last 10 years have we seen a growing demand for electric vehicles that has increased in pace, namely due to the success of Tesla as a company. One of the main issues that has been overcome by Tesla in order to create a more widespread use of their product has been the creation of a network of charging stations that can be used by their vehicles, and only by other EVs if a special adapter is used. This private network can service other electric vehicles but only with an adapter, which generally promotes Tesla as a brand but does not solve the issue that is faced by the industry as a whole: the need for universal charging stations.  One of the greatest hindrances to electric vehicle ownership is the perception that the vehicles cannot go very far in between charges, and there are simply not enough charging stations to be convenient.  For example, there are roughly 136,400 gas stations in the United States and only 41,400 electric vehicle charging stations.  Of those charging stations that exist, as of this writing only 5000 are fast charging which means that the remainder of those charging stations will need vehicles to park for more than an hour in order to gain an 80% charge. With these types of encumbrances to wider adoption, the United States faces an uphill battle changing people’s minds. While the conservation effort is not being rejected by the population, they still do not want to be inconvenienced by their choice of vehicle. For this reason, many people who would like to own an electric vehicle still choose to drive a gas-powered vehicle. The answer to wider spread adoption is to create a more robust grid of universal electric vehicle charging stations that will work on more of a variety of vehicles. The United States government is attempting to encourage this to happen by providing tax incentives and rebates as a part of the infrastructure Bill that is currently being worked on in Congress. But that Bill is anything but a sure thing, even though it  would provide monetary benefits to those not only driving electric vehicles, but to those businesses who are participating in the expansion of the electric vehicle market in general. These incentives would translate to more companies creating businesses that will function within the electrical vehicle space, both producing more charging stations as well as upgraded chargers.  The faster the charger, the more expensive the charging station is to install, many times costing upwards of $250,000. By bringing down the cost of install or operation through incentivized programs, the United States hopes to encourage the public to purchase more electric vehicles.

One of the ways that the costs of operation of an electric vehicle charging station can be brought down is through the integration by the OEM or integration partner of more robust surge protection devices. This is because lightning and power surges are one of the largest costs of operation due to the damage that can be expected if there is a lightning strike or power surge near the equipment. Through the protection of this expensive equipment, the costs of operation and can be reduced, resulting in higher levels of uptime, profitability and attracting new players into the market.

Surge Protection Of EV Charging Stations

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/wp-content/uploads/EV-Charger-Global-Application-paper_EN.pdf

The lack of available charging stations nationwide in the United States has led to a slower adoption of electric vehicle ownership by the public, and the public shies away from electric vehicle ownership because of the lack available charging stations.  This vicious circle has proven to be a hinderance to the wider spread growth of the industry, ultimately resulting in slower than hoped results with regard to reversing carbon emissions.  There are 17,000,000 new cars sold every year in the United States, and only 2% of that total is represented by vehicles that are either fully electric or hybrid gas and electric. In order to create a climate where electric vehicle ownership is more widespread, government interaction has been necessary which will incentivize both private ownership as well as business development of the different aspects of the industry. Where profitability of a new electric vehicle charging station is difficult, the US government has plans to subsidize with tax benefits and other incentive programs. These incentives are designed to push private industry further with regard to the development of the current administration’s goal of 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations in the United States by 2030. To achieve this goal, it is assumed that far more vehicle owners will choose the electric over gas. The installation cost of a new level three charger can be upwards of $260,000, and even though these advanced chargers can deliver a charge in as little as 10 minutes, they are few and far between in the United States. There are only 5000 fast chargers of the 41,400 electric vehicle charging stations in the US, compared to more than 135,000 gas stations. This has been one of the major hurdles which has been identified by the government. The two trillion dollar Infrastructure Bill that’s making its way through Congress addresses what the government could do to help. It is up to private industry to do the rest to move the country forward with electric vehicle ownership.

One company that is doing its part in this respect is Raycap, who has developed the technologically advanced line of surge protection devices for electric vehicle charging stations. Through the integration of more robust surge protection devices into the footprint of a high-powered charging station environment, the ongoing costs of operation can be reduced significantly. This is because downtime leads to more costs, and one of the main costs associated with this industry is ongoing maintenance of equipment as a result of lightning strikes and power surges coming from the grid. The wider footprint and expensive circuitry of high-powered charging stations brings a greater risk of damage and loss as a result of lightning strikes. Only through wider adoption and better methods of damage avoidance can operational costs be reduced. Through their products, Raycap expects to help a large number of electric vehicle charging manufacturers and operators to bring down the ongoing costs associated with the industry, ultimately resulting in more stations being built. The electric vehicle market is still emerging, and through private and public sector cooperation we can achieve the current administration’s goal of 500,000 chargers by 2030.

The Future Of Electric Vehicles

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/wp-content/uploads/EV-Charger-Global-Application-paper_EN.pdf

Tesla has been working over the course of the last 10 years to build out and allow a great network of charging stations across the United States in order to service its fleet of cars. Tesla understood that in order for their cars to sell to the public in wider numbers, the necessity for improved as well as more accessible electric vehicle charging stations was significant.  The standard electric vehicle charging station can take several hours to fully deliver a charge, but with higher level fast charging stations, projections show ultimately an 80% charge can be delivered in as little as 10 minutes. The main issues arise because in order to make the installation of electric vehicle charging stations more profitable, there must be a higher quantity of electric vehicles sold. The hindrance of these sales is being impacted by the lack of charging stations, creating a vicious circle that slows growth. There are less than 2% the total 17,000,000 vehicles sold in the United States that are either electric or hybrid in 2020, and this lack of a significant percentage of the market makes the rollout of expensive charging stations difficult for private industry to fund. A level-three charger will cost between 120 and $260,000 on average, installed. And when supporting less than 3% of the total vehicles in the USA, rollout of new stations presents difficulties for profitability. While there is no doubt that the market is growing, issues need to be solved that will remove the barriers to entry for the public, allowing further growth from that point provided by the private sector. The infrastructure bill which is being moved through the channels of government under the approval of President Joe Biden promises significant amounts of tax incentives, boosting domestic supply of materials and incentive programs for private businesses to install charging stations. The possibility of this infusion of government money combined with speculative industries like private vehicle charging companies has created a larger interest in the development of the sector.

One of the most significant ways that the electric vehicle charging market can be improved is for OEMS and installers to invest in the integration of more advanced surge protection devices throughout electric vehicle charging station footprints. One of the more dangerous aspects of the operation of an electric vehicle charging station is the potential of damage to vehicles or people as a result of lightning strikes and power surges. This is due to the footprint of the charging station being expanded as the capabilities of that station are increased. This gives a higher level of exposure to damage as a result of lightning strikes near the equipment, ultimately resulting in equipment damage and a higher cost of operation. Through the integration of more technologically advanced surge protection devices, these costs can be reduced and surge damage avoided. It is projected that by 2040 the electric vehicle market can be in the range of $27,000,000,000, and electric vehicle charging stations will make up a large percentage of that number. The growth of this market is tied directly to the technological advancements in other areas such as fast charging and electrical protection.

The Growing Need For EV Charging Stations 

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/wp-content/uploads/EV-Charger-Global-Application-paper_EN.pdf  

When Tesla created their network of electric vehicle charging stations, they were doing so out of the necessity that had arisen in order for them to sell more vehicles.  Tesla is a solutions based company, where problems are identified and solutions are created to solve those problems.  The problem of climate change as a result of the overwhelming number of gas-powered vehicles on the streets of large cities worldwide was showing no sign of slowing, and as a result of identifying this growing problem Tesla decided to go into business selling electric vehicles.  Their entire realization was that electric vehicles were not popular with drivers for a few specific reasons, each of which they could identify and create a solution for.  As an example, in the past electric vehicles were underpowered so Tesla created a vehicle that had as much pickup as any gas-powered vehicle in mass production.  They also realized that electric vehicles tended to not be stylish or luxurious, and solved that issue by creating a line of vehicles that is considered both luxurious and aggressive.  Probably the most difficult issue to solve was the fact that electric vehicles were perceived as being impractical because they could not travel the same distances as gas powered vehicles in between fill ups of the fuel source, and the stations where fuel could be added were not as convenient as gas-powered drivers had grown used to.  In order to create a higher level of vehicle sales, Tesla improved the battery capacities of their vehicles to be more practical, and also built their own network of charging stations in major metropolitan areas.  They even went further, creating a specialized charging system that would allow for rapid charging of Tesla vehicles.  This meant that drivers did not need to sit with their cars for hours while being recharged, and instead could fill the entire battery to capacity in under an hour. 

While Tesla has its own system that caters to its drivers exclusively, many of these issues still exist with regard to other manufacturers of electric vehicles, and their drivers. In order to start to solve the issue of global emissions, a much higher percentages of the vehicles on the road must be electric or at least hybrid vehicles. In order to achieve this kind of goal, a wider population of electric vehicle drivers must be created outside of the ones Tesla has already cultivated.  The vehicles themselves that are being produced are more stylish and luxurious than ever before, but the nationwide network of charging stations is still sorely lacking.  There are only about 41,400 electric vehicle charging stations in the United States according to the Department Of Energy. Compare this with 136,400 gas stations, and complicate matters even more with the fact that there are fewer than 5000 fast charging stations.  The United States is moving forward now with an infrastructure bill introduced by the Biden administration that will provide rebates and tax credits for those that switch to electric vehicles, as well as to businesses involved in the space. But until a wider rollout of electric vehicle fast charging stations needs to happen in order for the technology to be widely adopted. Through the integration of more technologically advanced surge protection into the electric vehicle charging station footprint, the costs of operation can be reduced. This is one step towards creating a greater profitability that can potentially sway private businesses that are considering entering the space. 

The Infrastructure Bill Encourages EV Charging Station Development

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/wp-content/uploads/EV-Charger-Global-Application-paper_EN.pdf

One of the primary aspects of the infrastructure bill that is being moved through the US Congress is the creation of programs that will encourage people to make smarter choices for the environment, including switching to electric vehicle ownership.  While the obvious push towards tax savings or benefits for driving electric vehicles as the primary mode of transportation for the public is obvious, some of the more interesting aspects of the bill address more difficult issues to solve in the electric vehicle market.  At the current time only 2% of the 17,000,000 new vehicles sold every year in the United States are electric, ultimately moving forward towards the goal of less carbon emissions, but doing so at a slow pace.  While Tesla has made great strides towards the changing of the public’s perception of what an electric vehicle can be, one of the main challenges for the entire market is still the availability of charging stations at convenient locations.  Tesla has created their own network of supercharging stations which will deliver an 80% charge to the vehicle in less than half an hour, but the majority of charging stations within the United States are still not fast charging stations.  In order to build a level-three charging station at the current time, the average cost is between $120,000 and $260,000.  Couple this with the fact that these stations are expensive to maintain and operate, and we can see why private industry has not moved faster towards the rollout of a significantly larger number of electric vehicle charging stations in the United States.  There are simply too few people driving the cars to make it worth the investment, and the people are choosing gas powered vehicles in part because of the lack of investment.  This vicious circle has created an issue that needs to be solved, and cooperative between the government and private industry will go far towards achieving this the goal.  There are only 41,000 electric vehicle charging stations in the United States, and only 5000 of those are fast chargers which can deliver the speed that the Tesla systems do.  When compared to the 136,400 gas stations, it is obvious why people are still shying away from electric vehicles.

Every technological advancement that can be worked into the electric vehicle charging system in order to improve profitability will ultimately move the industry closer to that goal.  One of the technological advancements that has proven successful in this regard is the improvement of industrial surge protection devices that are integrated into the chargers themselves, and the station footprint.  A main cost of ongoing operations for electric vehicle charging stations is the repair and replacement of equipment that has been damaged, including by electrical power surges.  The equipment is expensive, so any ability to extend the lifespan will help to improve the profitability that the station can produce.  Surge protection devices from Raycap have proven they can reduce the amount of damage as a result of power surges, and ultimately reduce the operating expenditures. Innovations such as this are playing a major role in the expansion of the industry as a whole.

Green Energy Production Surge Protection Systems

Surge protection devices may be one of the factors that make a difference in the world’s ability to more quickly adopt methods of producing electricity that are less harmful to the environment.  There are two schools of thought with regards to power production, both factoring down to money at their core.  Fossil fuel production techniques cost less but use  methods that produce pollution and greenhouse gasses as by-products.  Green production methods cost more but produce no harmful by-products or pollution.  As people debate the widespread adoption of green technology over fossil fuels, the crux of the debate is the level of damage that fossil fuels do vs. the costs that are involved.  Even though there are few people who would argue that they prefer the methods that do less damage to the environment, they feel that the added costs that they need to pay for the cleaner methods are not worth it, and that the damage is justified to save money.  This is a difficult argument to counter, as personal feelings on the amount of damage that is acceptable are going to vary wildly.  The true end of the debate will come when the costs of both methods are equal, or ultimately lower for the green production methods.  But how can that happen?

In order to address this question, we must look at the fixed costs of each method.  The actual generation of electricity is accomplished through the turning of turbines, and the transport and storage of that electricity is the same no matter how it is produced.  The costs of fossil fuel production are found mainly in the acquiring of the fuel source itself, being the mining or refinement of oil or coal.  There is no cost with regard to wind or sunlight, so the fuel that is used in the green processes is free.  The costs associated with those processes is found in the purchase, installation, repair and replacement costs of the equipment used in the process, as well as the inefficiency that comes with downtimes.  If a fuel source that has no cost is available, every minute that is spent not using it to produce power represents waste and inefficient operations.  This inefficiency comes often from the downtimes created when systems are knocked offline by power surges.  A major cause of surges that create damage and downtimes to equipment are lightning strikes to the solar panels or the wind mills, ultimately allowing overloads of power to surge through connected lines and structures.  These surges damage the circuitry of the electronics equipment, necessitating repair or replacement in order to restore functionality.  When addressed from this standpoint the solution is clear, create more protection for the systems to avoid the lightning and surge damage.

Raycap is a world leading producer of surge protection devices for green energy production systems.  Our Strikesorb SPD technology is not only more robust than competing devices, but also features a unique and patented technology that allows them to never (or only in rare circumstances) need to be reset or replaced.  This reduces downtimes associated with surges as well as increases equipment life spans.  As technology advances, we come closer every day to creating systems that are both cleaner and cheaper than fossil fuels.  Once that threshold is crossed, a better world will emerge.

Protection Of Equipment In Green Systems

One of the more confusing aspects of energy production is the cost basis, and very few people have a good understanding on the actual costs that are involved.  For both green energy production techniques as well as fossil fuel techniques, turbines are utilized to generate the actual electricity that is seen as the final product sold to consumers.  The product itself is the same no matter what production process is used, and there is no “better” electricity that is generated one way or another.  When the light switches on in a home or business, electricity flows and powers the lights, no matter how that electricity was manufactured.  The differences in costs between methods happen before the turbines, and are essentially found in the things involved in getting the turbines to turn.  When producing traditional energy, fossil fuels are burned in order to create a gas which turns the turbines. While this is efficient, it also produces by-products like pollution and greenhouse gasses.  Without debating the levels of damage that these by products have on the environment, it is universally accepted that damage is done to air quality by their release into the atmosphere.  There is also a hard cost associated with the purchase or mining of the fuels themselves, whether it is in the form of wood, coal or oil, in order to burn and produce electricity, they must first be purchased which has a cost associated.  Green energy production technology on the other hand does not burn fossil fuels in order to turn the turbines.  Different processes capture the movement of wind or the gasses produced by liquids heated by solar panels in order to turn the turbines, producing no harmful by products and having no fuel costs.  So if there is no fuel to purchase, why does it still cost more to produce electricity using green production methods?

The costs associated with green energy production are found in the purchase, installation, repair or replacement of equipment used in the processes, which is usually exposed to the elements and can easily be damaged in the field.  One main cause of damage are lightning strikes to the panels or the wind turbines, something that is almost impossible to avoid due to the remote and exposed nature of the setups in order to achieve maximum efficiency.  The damage that is produced at the actual strike point itself is easily seen, compared to the damage that is produced by the associated power surge.  This surge of electricity couples into structures, cables and attachment points of the equipment, effectively creating a chain that electrical flow can travel upon.  This flow is too great for the electronic circuitry inside components to handle, and results in the damaging and shutdown of systems during times when power could be being.  This inefficiency is being corrected through the integration of more advanced surge protection devices which can provide greater levels of protection while also minimizing downtime.  As these protection systems evolve, the ultimate costs associated with green energy production come down, creating a product which is both cleaner and cheaper.

Transient Voltage Surge Suppression Devices

Most “industrial style” businesses will need to involve the use of methods to suppress power surges in some way.  Any setup of equipment in the field is going to expose it to a potential for damage, and in order to remain profitable, businesses must take steps toward minimizing this damage.  This involves precautionary installations of devices which can prevent the most common types of damage, because it is not but a matter of time until they will happen.  Lightning strikes and power surges from internal equipment switching are some of the most costly occurrences that produce damage that is able to be minimized through technology, but in order to be effective most surge protective devices must be either replugged or replaced after they protect from an incident.  If they are not, they leave the system open to future surge damage.

The integration of transient voltage surge suppression devices is critical to minimizing equipment repair costs, but is also one of the most frustrating aspects of equipment setup.  This is due to the fact that surge suppression devices have a single function which is to prevent a power surge, caused by any reason, from coming into contact with equipment outfitted with electronic circuitry that cannot handle that level of power flow.  “Electrical transients” are disturbances in the constant flow levels of electricity, the levels that equipment that is powered by this flow are designed to be able to operate within.  The tolerances of the equipment are less than the tolerances of the power lines themselves, which can manage a far larger flow.  The job of cutting the flow when it exceeds a certain level so as to protect the circuitry of the equipment attached is bestowed upon surge protection devices.  The voltages that equipment can operate under are generally defined through the plugging mechanisms that attach the equipment to the power lines, however even though the flow of electricity is nearly always regulated within the safe zone, lightning strikes around these lines will easily allow the surplus power to enter lines and flow freely.  Without the precautionary devices installed onto the lines that will cut the flow by diverting it to ground, this excess will easily reach any equipment attached, thus damaging or destroying it in an instant.  The surge protection devices simply sit in a dormant state for nearly their entire existence, waiting for that single moment when power surges beyond the tolerances that are specified in order to cut off the flow beyond them.

Surge protection devices have grown increasingly technological, moving far beyond the simple circuit breakers or cutoff switches of the past.  While these devices are still used globally, expensive equipment is generally protected by technologically advanced devices that can ultimately remain functional through the surge, and beyond it.  While traditional surge protection technology allows for only a single use before the tripped circuit needs to be reset or replaced, new technology can provide protection even after the surge instance.  While lightning rarely strikes twice, simple switching errors cause surges that can happen every time systems are powered up or powered down.  Modern surge suppression devices are capable of reducing these transients to managed levels, and then continuing operations afterward.  If surge protection devices remain un-noticed in the modern world, then they are performing their job.

Telecom Surge Protection

For most customers, the telecom world is a bit of a mystery.  We have grown to expect our phones to work in almost any circumstances, and will frequently complain if we do not have a clear signal even in the most remote of areas.  We have also become used to data transfer rates that resemble wired devices, as the big cellular carriers have gone to such great lengths to provide total coverage in most areas with the fastest networks available.  This competition is good for consumers, who benefit from the understanding by telecom companies that if customers are not happy with service in their primary area of usage, the process of voicing that dis-satisfaction is as simple as switching providers.  The competition levels are so high that many providers will go as far as to buy out the remainder of a customer’s contract with another provider,  if that customer is willing to switch to them.  One thing that is an interesting aspect of the discussion, however is that a customer’s satisfaction with service is mostly due to the actual physical area that he/she lives or works, due to the fact that most people spend the majority of their time in that area.  Each network operates at essentially the same levels, and customer satisfaction, if all other things are considered equal, might boil down to if there are enough cell towers in a general vicinity so as not to provide gaps that might be no more than a block or two wide.  Because we will see very little residential usage of wired telephone systems at this stage, emergencies are another area of issue.  To be able to call emergency services from home, where the majority of issues take place, is critical.  For this reason, telecom providers are in a constant expansion mode, attempting to provide a blanket of coverage that will not have even a few feet of dead area, especially during times of inclement weather when emergency call necessity is highest.  Few customers may understand that the weather itself does have a very real effect on their cellular service, and it may not be the fault of the company if you cannot connect to their network periodically.

Lightning strikes to cellular towers are common, so much so that cellular providers go to great lengths to protect the equipment in their towers from lightning strikes.  Their reasons to do so are twofold, first and foremost to protect the investment in the equipment that can be damaged by lightning, and second to protect their  customer’s satisfaction by not having network dead spots or downtime if and when a specific tower is struck.  Because the towers are generally the tallest structures in an area, they will be struck by lightning sooner or later.  The strike will provide damage at the point where it hits, and also will damage equipment through the power surge that follows.  This surge is easily coupled into data and power lines that connect the equipment at the tower top with the equipment at the bottom and further away, this equipment also being able to be damaged when the surge overwhelms the circuitry.  Companies will outfit their tower setups with telecom surge protection devices, these electrical protectors designed to minimize damage as well as keep networks alive longer.  The customers do not care about the excuses of a lighting strike being an act of God, and that technology to prevent strike damage is limited.  They just need to connect to family, friends or emergency services when they need them.  If you have never experienced this type of issue, it is probably due to your provider integrating the best surge protection devices possible into their network..

Protect Your Street Level Equipment With Raycap Street Cabinets

The protection of your critical equipment is a necessity if you are to maintain a profitable status in today’s business climate.  The level of competition that is seen within most tech heavy businesses squeezes margins to the point of being almost non-existent, and without the effective streamlining of operations in order to reduce costs a business can easily find themselves bankrupt.  For this reason, most savvy business owners and managers are investing in systems and components that will provide extra protection for the expensive equipment that they rely upon in order to function.  This equipment may be potentially damaged in the field due to natural events like lightning strikes and the associated surges, or it could also be damaged by less dramatic events.  The one aspect that remains consistent is that damage to the equipment in the field has a negative effect on the bottom line, and extending the life span of that equipment is worth the added costs of protection systems over time. (more…)

Effective Surge Protection For Modern Businesses

Today’s world is an interconnected one, and highly technologically advanced systems interact with our daily lives almost constantly. Each year, statistics show that people are more reliant upon their phones and wireless devices to conduct their business, even if that business is as simple as using a search engine to answer simple questions about home improvements. We are continually exposed to information that is housed on computers and data centers elsewhere, and our access to this information is one of the main reasons that modern life is considered easier than the past. Access to knowledge is the greatest accomplishment of modern man. (more…)

Data Surge Protection In A Technological World

The world has dramatically changed in the past 25 years, and while the period at the early part of the century may have seen dramatic changes in the visual aspects of our cities and structures, the modern world is being improved in ways that are not so easily noticed.  Skyscrapers and dams dazzled people in past eras, but today they seem commonplace even if the achievement is no less wonderous.  In today’s world, technology rules the landscape and the improvements to people’s lives are generally found within these invisible systems.  The majority of technological advancement over the course of the last decade has involved connectivity and the ability for information to be shared through connected computers.  While the storage itself of information has grown by leaps and bounds, it is the ability for this information stored on one computer to be accessed by others that has truly changed things.  With each new system that is developed in order to share a specific kind of data, the world changes more. (more…)

Cellular Site Surge Protection Systems

The telecommunications industry is one of high specialization and extreme competition. Over the years, the competitive field has narrowed significantly to a few players.  The major companies dominate the market in most capacities, with minor players participating through the use of the networks that have been constructed by larger participants.  Through these networks of connectivity, nearly all areas of major population are serviced, with access to a cellular network being available to nearly everyone, from nearly everywhere.  These networks are also expanding every day, with new areas being identified and brought into the connectivity loop through installation of towers.  The differentiation points that will generally dictate customer choice of a company involve only a few factors, connectivity within their primary vicinity, cost and network speed.  Oddly enough, the majority of these factors are largely tied to radios atop cellular towers or buildings, and the surge protection devices that protect them. (more…)

Surge protection is one of the most important and yet underappreciated aspects of the green energy movement.  This is primarily due to a simple lack of understanding about the green energy systems themselves, and where the costs associated with production of electricity come from.  In order to understand the need for highly technologically advanced surge protection devices and systems with regard to green energy, we must provide a brief background into the production methods in order to clear up misconceptions.  First and foremost, electricity produced using “green” methods is not without cost.  The comparisons to other production methods like fossil fuel burning only go as far as the point beyond the actual manufacture of the electricity product.  The two methods are the same past that point, with the electricity having fixed costs associated with transportation and storage.  The costs that are associated with the actual fuel source that turns the turbines is misunderstood when making comparisons.  The wind and sun have no costs associated with them, and are harnessed in a way that turns the turbines and manufactures electricity in the same way.  So if there is no cost associated with the fuel source in green technology, then why has it historically cost the consumer more in the end? (more…)

If green energy does not need to pay for things like coal, wood or oil to burn in order to make electricity, then why does it cost us more at the end of the day? This is a question that is not understood by many people who are voting in order to fund research that would benefit green energy producers, and ultimately is one of the reasons that many places still rely upon dirty production techniques.  The support of research that can advance green technology is critical to the ongoing advancement of it as a viable alternative if it is to be called upon to produce energy for larger communities.  The truth of the matter is that with more public support, advancements could be made that would ultimately bring production costs down below that of fossil fuels, which would ultimately create a product that does less damage to the environment while also costing consumers less.  Once that state is achieved, there is no reason to continue to utilize outdated methods of producing power, and the world will absorb less damage as a result of those methods. (more…)

The telecommunications industry is highly specialized, and as a result needs both specialized equipment and connectivity structures in order to provide the services that are required.  While the specialized equipment is susceptible to damage simply due to its electronic nature, this issue is amplified within the telecommunications industry due to the equipment being positioned in the field.  For a simplified understanding of the dangers that are faced, we must consider the necessary components and setups that bring cell service to users.  A coverage area is the amount of ground that is able to be serviced by a cell tower by having a signal be within range.  A person holding a cell phone within this area of coverage will receive and transmit signals between their device and the tower.  For a coverage area to be without dead areas, the amount of space that each tower can effectively cover must overlap between towers, creating a larger space that is without gaps.  The signals to the tower that is within range must be able to be unobstructed in order to be clear and strong, essentially guaranteeing that the cell towers that are providing the service to the customers in that area are the tallest structures within that area, and are sometimes located in relatively remote areas as well.  This makes the towers themselves a natural target for lightning strikes, which have the characteristic of taking the path of least resistance to earth.  This means that lightning is mostly going to strike the tower if it is within the vicinity of it.  While there are techniques and devices that attempt to draw the strike away from the tower itself so as to prevent direct strikes, it is nearly impossible to completely prevent a lightning strike to such a perfect target.  For this reason, lightning rods and overhead shields will only prevent a portion of strikes to cellular towers. (more…)

The solar power production industry represents not only billions of dollars in technological investment, but also a future world of cleaner environments and cheaper power.  The debate surrounding the solar industry in its goal to be recognized by global governments as a viable alternative to fossil fuel energy production is connected completely to money, and the protection of an antiquated fossil fuel industry and methodology that not only employs people but also generates profits in the billions of dollars every year.  The fossil fuel industry is well established, and as such has large amounts of money to spend on lobbying and misinformation campaigns designed to sway public opinion.  The alternative forms of power production represent a significant threat to their bottom line, and therefore alternative energies are being fought at every step.  If alternative forms of energy production such as  wind and solar were more readily recognized as superior to fossil fuels, there is a possibility that larger amounts of government research and funding would be granted to them, potentially solving two key issues that keep green energy production smaller than fossil fuels.  These two issues are cost of manufacturing and the ability to manufacture enough to support communities single handed, without the need for backup forms of production to satisfy demand.  What this means is that all arguments against the full embrace of wind and solar by governments globally boils down to community support, and people are lead to believe that these methods of production are more expensive and cannot produce enough to keep the lights on 24 hours a day.  Embracing these alternative forms of production could create funding streams that solve these issues, for instance finding vialble electrical storage systems for alternative energy sources, and creating an effective end to the strangle hold that fossil fuel power production has on the world.  These are the reasons that there is such an effort to stifle progress and technological development that could advance the industry, expanding production capacities and lowering costs. But eventually the tide will turn, it has to. (more…)

Benjamin Franklin flew his kite during a storm in an attempt to study the properties of lightning, and since this time lightning has been a major topic of study.  Franklin was seeking information on a way to potentially control lightning by conducting a strike to a specific place, and nearly all of the research and development since has followed the same idea.  Lightning is devastating, and has the ability to create huge amounts of damage in a completely unpredictable way.  There is nearly no way to prepare a specific area for a strike before one happens because we have no method of predicting where the strike will land.  We can assume that there will be lightning strikes, and we can make predictions based on research about lightning being attracted to specific properties like metals, height and isolation.  However we cannot predict exactly when the lightning strike will happen, if ever.  All we can do is put in place the best form of protection against the lightning strike, and hope that it never has to be tested.  Lightning is a force powerful enough to completely destroy nearly anything, and kill instantly.  We have no method of preventing it from happening, so all we can do is guard against it as best we can. (more…)

AC  Surge Protection

Lightning has been scientifically studied for many years, first being investigated by Benjamin Franklin in 1749 with his famous kite and key.  The push to study lightning comes from two places, first out of respect for the massive amounts of power that a lightning strike creates and the desire to find ways to harness and exploit it, and second out of fear of the damage it often results in.  Lightning strikes have been creating damage and havoc since people have been constructing dwellings, but the need to more fully understand and thus prevent lightning related damage really evolved due to the proliferation of electronic equipment.  “Transient overvoltage’s” (TOVs) affect electronic device users, telephone systems and data processing systems by damaging the internal components, as well as taking systems offline.  Those involved with many business models rely upon remaining operational in spite of TOVs. These include data systems that experience higher levels of disturbance because they cover large areas, and any system that has grown in its integration of electronic components and is also connected to exposed lightning strike points. (more…)

The Creation Of A Better Surge Protection Device

To understand the evolution over time of surge protection technology, lightning protection and surge protective devices, we must first understand the history from which they were derived.  The earliest forms of lightning protection were not necessarily concerned with electrical surges, and were more concerned with lightning strikes themselves and the damage that is caused at the strike point.  Previous to the harnessing of electricity in order to power devices, the dangers of lightning strikes came in the form of explosions and fires if lightning was to strike a home or building.  As structures grew in height, they became more natural attractants for lightning strikes, as lightning will generally take the path of least resistance to the ground.  This means that it will strike at the top portions of any structure that is both connected to the ground and closest to the origination point.  Lightning is attempting to go to earth and is thus attracted to connecting with the points that are higher in the sky than all surrounding points.  In modern times we think of huge towers and skyscrapers, but we must realize that the issue will remain consistent no matter how tall or short the buildings or structures of an area are.  Even if all of the structures within an area are only a few feet high, lightning will be attracted to the tallest of them.  Even in times before electricity powered our homes, lightning striking a dwelling posed a serious threat, and as a result the “lightning rod” was developed as the first type of device designed to prevent damage as a result of a strike.  The lightning rod simply became the highest point and was made from materials known to attract lightning. It was positioned in such a way that drew the strike away from structures to avoid having damage occur to the structure.  The lightning rod later became a useful tool for telegraph lines and electrical grids, once they evolved.  The telegraph system was the first to develop what was more of a surge protective device in the mid-1800s, when the term “arrestor” was applied to simple gaps in telegraph lines.  The gap could be operated remotely by a telegraph worker in order to protect telegraph lines during predictable weather that could produce lightning.  Because the surge produced by the lightning strike could travel along telegraph lines, operators realized the need for a method of stopping the flow, and the first crude “arrestors” were born from this need.  The idea was to simply interrupt the flow along a path, then potentially allow the surge to die at that point or to divert it elsewhere.  Interestingly enough, this idea still remains at the core of all surge protection technology. (more…)

Protection From Lightning Is The “X-Factor” Of Green Energy

The “green” energy production market is one that has been evolving on several important fronts for many years.  The basic premise behind it is not new, but as it is expanded and improved upon the potential for more widespread adoption for use in industries becomes more valid.  There are a few crucial elements that have been holding back wider spread rollouts of green technologies as a method of electricity generation for greater numbers of people connected to the existing electrical grid systems, but slowly and surely these factors have been overcome through technological advancement.  As the common conventional sources of power generation have little to no ability to technologically improve in order to solve existing issues, it must be assumed that once a critical level of technological advancement in the green energy market has been achieved, the new methods will replace conventional fossil fuel methods of production. So what are the issues and what is being done to solve them? (more…)

Although there are few people in the modern time who would argue against green energy production techniques like wind and solar systems being viable as a way to generate power, these industries still face opposition from an economic standpoint.  It is an unfortunate aspect of society that something must not only be more effective but also less expensive than an opposing thing in order to be considered “better”.  Even though there is no argument that wind and solar methods of energy production are cleaner and more economical from a fuel standpoint (wind and sun are free while fossil fuels have extraction costs associated) the total costs for production tip in favor of fossil fuels currently.  This is due to the infrastructure in place already to support the production of energy from fossil fuels, the incredible lobbying power of the fossil fuel industry, and the expense associated with the equipment involved in the higher tech collection processes’ related to solar and wind energy production. Additionally, the ongoing repair and replacement of wind and solar energy “manufacturing and collection” equipment in the field drives these energy production methods up.  Energy production using fossil fuels is crude and simplistic, using the burning of a fuel source like coal or oil to turn turbines and generate electricity. Aside from the costs of the fuel and the fixed costs of storage and transport of the power, there are few technical advances happening that would require new equipment. Energy production using these methods is understood by the public to be damaging to a certain level to the environment and people’s overall health, but because it is less costly than a cleaner alternative, it continues to be accepted.  Unfortunately, people are willing to put a price on their own health and well-being, and that of their descendants,  because of their desire to pay the lowest amount monthly for their power bills. As a result, the acceptance of new research funding that would further the technology involved in green processes and bring down the costs over time, gets cut from budgets.  Consumers want to pay the lowest amount right now, and will generally support the dirtier methods as a result. The argument of the superior methods being better fall on deaf ears as consumers recognize that “better”  most times costs more.  (more…)

FTTA PTTA Solutions For Telecom

Surge protection devices are not a luxury for today’s industry, but rather are a critical aspect of nearly any mission-critical industrial installation.  Equipment involved in most industries has grown in expense to the point of being inextricably tied to the survival of the business if it is damaged or destroyed before an expected life span. And, while modern business will take great steps to protect their bottom line through pricing that will compensate for unexpected damage to equipment in the field, the competitiveness of most business landscapes forces participants to protect their capital investments at all costs.  Damage related to electrical surge is a primary concern in industries that position equipment in the field. Many of these surges are caused by lightning strikes and others are caused grid-side, switching errors or transients.  The damage that is created in circuit-driven components can be immediate or prolonged, the immediate damage coming in the form of total overload and circuit destruction if not explosion and fire, and the prolonged damaged coming in the form of on-going degradation of circuits, causing performance errors and finally complete failure over time.  Either way, the damage that is produced as a result of surging electricity must be prevented or at least minimized if margins are to remain healthy, and profitability is to remain intact.  This not only includes but may very well be epitomized by the highly specialized telecommunications industry, where stiff competition for customers forces both the increased capacities of networks for better data transfer and lowered operational costs so as to offer lower monthly bills.  As the industry ages and consolidates, network operators look to find ways of both increasing network capacities and connectivity while also lowering customer plans prices, which is a difficult task.  Increases in costs as a result of unexpected damage to equipment can render damage to an operator within a short time frame, and customers will not accept increased charges without significant improvements to service, if at all.  This squeeze creates a situation where telco operators must figure out improved ways of getting the most out of their existing equipment in the field, and generally this will involve improving electrical protection and specifically surge protection devices. (more…)

While installations and facilities used for industrial business differ with a wide variety of designs and facility layouts, generally there are a few characteristics that can be found virtually across all industrial applications. In general these characteristics involve the physical locations of the installations. Many are located in relatively remote locations and involve a variety of structures, some that are taller than surrounding ones. These locations are used for a number of reasons ranging from less expensive land, cheaper labor, a centralized location or by the need to have tall and unobstructed structures as part of the industrial process.  But the issues that can arise as a result of all these characteristics can present themselves as similar scenarios.  Remote and unobstructed structures will attract lightning strikes during inclement weather, simply because lightning will generally take the path of least resistance to the ground.  If lightning can find a structure which is directly connected to the earth and is taller than everything else in the area, it will strike that structure more often than striking structures which force it to travel further distances.  This simple fact of psychics presents a significant threat to businesses that rely upon those types of industrial installations will very tall structures located in remote regions. (more…)

Damage from elements such as lightning strikes to cell towers and other field equipment used by the telecommunications industry is one of the greatest threats to profitability and network connectivity.  This is primarily due to a single aspect of the systems that is unavoidable; the towers are positioned and located with intention to be the tallest structures within an area, specifically to provide an unobstructed path for communication between user’s devices and the cell tower itself.  Simply put, the strength and quality of a cell phone signal is dependent upon the device’s distance from a tower, and how much interference is positioned in between the user and the tower.  The single best way to assure strong signals is to position the radio equipment at the tower which sends and receives the signal at a high point on the tower.  While this practice will assure a higher level of signal strength, it also puts this equipment at risk from lightning strikes to the structures.  One of the natural characteristics of lightning is its attraction to the highest point of a structure that is connected to the ground.  (more…)

Industrial grade surge protection is not a new concept.  Surge protection itself has been around in one form or another since we started utilizing computerized equipment to make our lives easier.  As soon as components that involved circuitry were connected to an electrical source and turned on, we realized that fluctuations in that power flow could have an adverse effect on both the operation  and the electronic components themselves.  Electrical transients have caused malfunctions, data loss and even damage to the circuitry involved.  Each moment that expensive equipment was connected to the power source was putting it in danger of damage from electrical surges.  The advent of surge protection came shortly after, with the development of methods to cut the power supply to equipment if power were to exceed a certain point that was deemed “safe.” Circuit breakers cut the flow if it exceeded a certain amount, and additional surge protection equipment was developed to provide a level of protection for components managing functions that couldn’t afford to be cut off from use for long periods of time. (more…)

The modern industrial business landscape is one that relies heavily on technologically advanced, mission-specific equipment in order to perform critical tasks.  While these components are crucial to the processes of any number of industries, they are also alarmingly sensitive and easily damaged.  They are required to provide reliable service within environments that many times can be considered far less than ideal, and do so with only minimal levels of protection against the elements leaving them open to potential damage from both natural and manmade sources.  Industry-specific practices allow for equipment to be protected from things like vandalism and rodent encroachment by way of robust cabinetry solutions in some cases, or by positioning the components out of the way where they cannot be reached easily.  However, the implementation of physical structures or positioning can really only provide the most basic levels of protection from the most obvious causes of damage.  Physical enclosures can keep the weather out and allow for climate controlled spaces that will reduce instances of overheating or malfunctions due to moisture penetration.  These physical barriers against damaging natural elements are nearly always designed for the systems before they ever are switched on, but they can provide nearly no protection against violent electrical storms and lightning strikes, nor the resulting power surges which account for a large percentage of damage to critical components in the field. (more…)

Data Is Critical, Protect It 

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/data-surge-protection/  

Surge protection devices that are installed in industrial facilities in order to provide protection for the equipment involved in the process are not only tasked with the protection of the physical assets.  The information which the company has stored over the years, allowing for more streamlined operations both in the current time as well as in the future, must also be protected.  In many ways, the data that the company stores provides the functionality with which the company operates.  The most simple case could be that if the company stores your name as a customer and information on a server to route their products to you, if your information is lost the company can no longer provide you with these services.  This will go on until the data is restored, even if the mechanical aspects of the process are repaired.  This is why surge protection is so critical within industrial facilities.  The ongoing operations can be restored to functionality with the repair or replacement of equipment, but in the cases where critical data is lost as a result of that equipment damage, the process of full restoration to functionality becomes a nightmare.  (more…)

Data Surge Protection 

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/data-surge-protection/  

One of the industry terms that is utilized in the surge protection niche that many people in the public have never heard of is “data surge protection.” The easiest way to describe the definition of this phrase is that it is “the protection of data from power surges and the damage that can be produced by them.”  Power surge protection is a mystery to many people because they do not interact with it daily, and is generally a function that happens in the background of ongoing operations.  This means that it has almost no impact on people on any kind on a regular basis, until some sort of incident happens that brings it into light.  Modern power grids are very well designed and for the most part will see only little fluctuation during a typical day, and usually as a result of a weather event..  Surge protection systems are  designed to intervene during the unplanned event that happens outside of system operations.  It is designed to come into play when something goes wrong even though there has probably been no instance outside of normal technical operations for lengthy period of time.  It is also designed to intervene in an unexpected instance almost instantaneously, as anything less would provide damage to any equipment downstream that is left unprotected.  The problem with damage that occurs as a result of power surges is that it is generally not isolated to simply damaging the equipment in the origination area.  Many times, the equipment is not only tasked with performing an operation but also with the storage of information that is critical to the ongoing operations themselves.  If you have ever had a computer crash that results in a loss of data you understand the implications of this failure go far beyond simply having to replace the computer itself.  Data is one of the most valuable commodities that must be protected within almost every type of business.  (more…)

Lightning Protectors To Maintain Profitability 

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/what-are-lightning-protectors/ 

Maintaining a profit within a challenging industry is difficult.  As more players enter the market and are all vying for the same customers, a shrinking customer base must be offset by reduced costs if profitability is to be maintained.  This means that if each company is working with fewer customers, the costs associated with the product that is supplied to each customer must be reduced if profit margins are to be maintained.  This is accomplished in several ways, one of the most common in industrial spaces being the utilization of cheaper components or the extension of the lifespan of the equipment used in the process.  Within the cellular industry we can see this process playing out on both fronts.  Cellular towers must be able to maintain an unobstructed signal to the users on the ground.  This placement makes them highly endangered with regards to lightning strikes, as lightning is attracted to the tallest structures within range. Lightning takes the path of least resistance to the ground, ultimately meaning that it will strike the tallest structure which is connected to the ground in an attempt to flow through that structure to its final destination.  For this reason, lightning will generally strike the top of a cellular tower, and through the use of cheaper components to create the structure of the tower, companies are able to reduce the repair and maintenance costs as a result of the strike.  At the same time, companies utilize highly advanced lightning protectors in order to mitigate the damage that happens as a result of the power surge which follows the strike.  This power surge traveling through the structure will impact equipment located near the top, and travel along data transfer lines and power cables quite efficiently.  This means that power flows from components located near the top to components located in the center or at the bottom of the tower.  This creates additional damage that is farther away from the strike point.  (more…)

Data Is A Critical Component In Industrial Businesses 

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/data-surge-protection/  

When people think about industrial facilities, the impression in our heads is of large machines which are belching steam and smoke.  Our impression of industrial businesses was probably formulated from visuals that were created in the early 20th century when industry was far more crude then it is today.  Today’s industrial facilities are highly technical and are generally computer driven operations that rely upon data transfer in order to maintain their functionality.  Gone are the days with giant machines and men shoveling coal into furnaces, all having been replaced by racks of computers and data processors which served to provide the functionality of all aspects of these businesses.  In many instances the equipment that is  exposed at the end of the process are directly joined to these sensitive components which drive them.  Even though the electronic components are protected from exposure to the elements, this direct connection to the exposed equipment creates a vulnerability that can have a significant impact on operations.  Lightning strikes to exposed components are commonplace and are impossible to predict.  This means that companies must provide protection mitigation long before any incident ever happens in order to fully avoid the implications that can happen to the operation as a result.  The lightning strike to an exposed piece of equipment can have a ripple effect creating damage caused by the subsequent power surge that moves along data processing and power lines until it reaches the more sensitive equipment upstream.  This can cause damage not only at the strike point but also destroys circuitry which ultimately results in the loss of data which is critical to the process.  (more…)

EVP and Surge Protection 

There is no doubt that the future of transportation is the electric vehicle.  The progress of this type of transportation has been hindered over the years through a slow technological development of the components involved in the process.  The batteries that are involved had limitations that would reduce the amount of driving that could be done in between charges.  These batteries were also limited in their ability to produce adequate power to the car’s wheels, meaning that electric vehicles were underpowered and slow.  They’ve always been embraced by those who are ecologically motivated, but in many cases have been rejected by those who are more concerned with the costs of operation or performance.  Over the course of the last few years there has been dramatic shift in the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, mostly, and as a result of the advances that car makers, including Tesla is making.  While there are many electric cars available from other manufacturers, Tesla has captured the imagination of the wider portion of the population through its improvements to performance and styling.  While there are still limitations to the amount of distance that can be traveled in between charges, other encumbrances have made great strides towards improvement.  Tesla has created a line of stylish sports cars that are not only adequately powered, but in many cases provide far more power than a standard gas-powered vehicle.  While there have been improvements to battery capacities, one of the obvious limitations has always been finding a place outside of your own home where you can charge your electric vehicle.  These stations were difficult to come by until a more widespread adoption of electric vehicles caused gas stations and other areas to begin looking at providing charging as a way to earn money.  Tesla developed a system of charging stations that were compatible with Tesla vehicles and rolled out a significant amount of the stations across America.  Tesla vehicles are also able to utilize the standard charging stations with an adapter, although the charge in process takes significantly longer due to that power being delivered at a lower rate.  While Tesla’s technological advances are causing more people to consider electric vehicles, we are now beginning to also see the issues that come along with more widespread use of electric power charging stations.  In order to reduce the amount of time spent at the stations waiting for your vehicle to be charged, the pressure to increase the loads which can be delivered are being felt.  The introduction of higher capacity charging technology increases the risk associated with power surges within these kinds of systems.  In addition to the potential damage to equipment we also must deal with the potential injury or death that can arise as a result of power surges while people remain in their vehicles during the charging time.  The development of electric vehicle surge protection devices and systems is one of the most significant technological advancements of the last hundred years, and could potentially assist a more widespread adoption of electric vehicles worldwide.  Making the vehicles more sporty increases interest, and making the vehicles more safe increases sales.  (more…)

Lightning Protection For Industrial Businesses 

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/what-are-lightning-protectors/ 

Within industrial businesses, one of the main concerns that directly impacts profitability is the ability to control costs.  Every business incurs a certain amount of cost in order to provide the product or service that they sell to customers.  If there are no competitors within the space, then pricing for the product is easy and can be estimated at a market rate that is above the cost that the business incurs.  As competition is created from other companies providing the same service or product, the margins of profit begin to shrink because customers choose the lowest price for the same product.  Businesses have little ability to charge higher prices than their competitors for products that are perceived as being the same, and without a significant differentiation between the two that keeps customers reminded that your product is superior, the only way to remain in business is to match the competitor’s price.  This creates a situation where profit margins are squeezed to the breaking point in competitive industries, and the only way to remain successful are to innovate.  Businesses need to create new ways to provide their product or service at a lower cost to themselves over their competition, and this usually involves cheaper components or the extension of lifespans of the equipment involved in the process.  Most industrial businesses will have a projected lifespan for their equipment that has been established over time and using technological means to extend that lifespan allows them to remain profitable without pricing themselves out of the market.  (more…)

Lightning Protectors In The Field 

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/what-are-lightning-protectors/ 

The general public may not understand the significance of lightning protectors and how they help to save CapEx and OpEx at industrial facilities.  These are devices that are installed into the technical systems to protect the equipment downstream.  The protection that is provided is in response to the associated electrical surge that follows a lightning strike.  The concept of lightning protectors is that damage that is caused by lightning strikes to exposed structures and equipment in the field can be mitigated.  At the strike point itself, it would be expected that significant amounts of damage would occur, and as a result operators in multiple industries continually seek cheaper components that will be exposed to the elements.  Through the use of components which can be replaced at lesser expense, overall impact to the bottom line of the business grows more positive.  More of an issue is the associated power surge that travels through the exposed structures and equipment, has and can have a direct impact on computerized, data processing components located either within that structure or elsewhere. If connected to the structure itself or other nearby equipment, nearly any component in the process is at risk.  This sensitive equipment cannot withstand power surges of the level that are generated by lightning strikes and is at risk due to their inter-connectivity between equipment located closer to the strike point and further down the line.  These pieces of equipment are generally connected through data exchange lines or power cables.  These types of pathways allow the power surge to travel easily from the point of impact of the lightning strike to areas further away.  An example of this weakness can be seen in cellular towers, which are natural attractants for lightning strikes due to the necessity of placement in unobstructed and high areas.  This placement is necessary to provide a clear signal from cellular users on the ground to the tower, but this same placement ultimately creates the target for lightning strikes to the tower top.  Within this portion of the cellular tower is the “remote radio head” or “RRH,” which acts as a transmitter, moving data from this receiver point to the “base band unit” of “BBU” located either in the middle or at the bottom of that tower.  If the remote radio head is impacted by the lightning strike and power surge, it’s direct connection to the base station unit will almost assure unsafe levels of power to travel through both units after a lightning strike, if left unprotected.  Lightning protectors installed within junction points as well as along the cables that provide connectivity between units create an ability to stop the flow of power beyond their point of install.  This means that a power surge that impacts the remote radio head can be thwarted before it impacts the base station unit.  At least some of the equipment involved in the process can be salvaged after a lightning strike, when in the past more of a total loss would occur.  This provides an ability to conserve funds that would be spent on repair and maintenance, which can then be applied towards operational expenses or applied ot the bottom line.  (more…)

Electric Charging Station Surge Protection 

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/electrical-vehicle-surge-protection-2/  

There has been an ever-increasing interest in electric vehicles over the last five years.  In order to create even more interest and adoption there needs to be a more aggressive rollout of charging stations.  When considering the purchase of an emerging technology, one of the first things that comes to mind are the limitations that this technology might impose on your life.  With regards to electric vehicles, the limitations have always been in the form of a lack of power, a lack of styling and a lack of available charging stations.  Styling aside, the functionality of an electric vehicle is limited to the distance that it can be driven and the speed at which it can be driven.  As interest grows, manufacturers have made significant gains in the amount of power that can be generated to the wheels of an electric vehicle, in some cases now showing even more power than most standard gas-powered cars.  It seems that the only hindrance that still exists from preventing a more widespread adoption of this form of transportation is the lack of available charging stations across developed nations.  Nobody wants to worry about driving their vehicle in an unfamiliar area and not being able to charge it up.  Areas like California are now putting forward significantly more aggressive measures designed to eliminate gas-powered vehicles over the course of the next decades, this goal goes hand in hand with measures which will increase the amount of charging stations in the state.  Tesla has made the most progress with regards to its technology and roll out of new charging stations, but due to the fact that Tesla vehicles operate in a class of their own this does not do much for the development of technology outside of their system when these manufacturers create stations only relevant to their own car types.  Collective efforts to fast track more widespread adoption of electric vehicles involve tackling the problem of installing more charging stations that are not specifically only for a particular vehicle manufacturer. Many believe that cross-brand rapid charging stations are the solution.  (more…)

Electro Mobility And EV Protection 

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/wp-content/uploads/EV-Charger-Global-Application-paper_EN.pdf  

As the world moves forward toward a more widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EV) as the primary source of transportation within the personal vehicle market, we find that the need for reliable and safe charging infrastructure is increasing.  Electric vehicles have become more powerful and stylish, leaving only the ability to charge outside of the home as the major encumbrance limiting a more widespread global adoption.  Fast charging technology is rapidly emerging, and as public interest increases, we also find charging stations to be emerging as a business opportunity.  There are challenges to this type of widespread adoption, the main challenge is the methods to protect both the devices themselves and the connected vehicles against electrical overvoltage.  Both the cars and the charging stations are outfitted with sensitive components that are electronic in nature, which cannot withstand power surges.  The protecting of the cars and the charging stations against power surges caused by both fluctuations in the network as well as lightning strikes is critical from both a safety perspective as well as an economic perspective on the business end.  All grid side switching operations are potential problems for both the stations as well as the cars connected to them, and earthing faults or short circuiting can have severe impact in the form of damage to the equipment.  It’s necessary to safeguard against these electrical risks in order to ensure the viability of profits, and also safety with regards to human life.  Identifying the risk scenarios that surround both AC and DC charging setups is critical to the future of electrical vehicles. 

Overvoltages that are caused by lightning strikes to the alternating current network need to be diminished up to the point of input of the main distributor of the charging device.  Surge protection devices need to be installed directly after the main circuit breaker and need to impinge the surge current to earth.  We must take into consideration that there is no way to effectively shut down charging stations during thunderstorms which may produce lightning, so instead we must provide the protection that will allow these stations to remain fully functional during such inclement weather events.  It is critical that there is no chance of a surge moving past the connection point to the vehicle, considering that it would be anticipated during inclement weather that people would remain inside their cars during the charging process.  While there can be no chance of the surge mishap moving through the charging station and into the structure of the vehicle, we also need the minimization of the amount of time when humans would potentially be inside of their vehicle while it is connected.  Not only will shorter time frames associated with charging help to further the adoption of electric vehicles in general, it would minimize the amount of time that people would be at risk due to their presence in and around the vehicle during the charging process itself. EV surge protection can move us closer towards all these goals. 

The widespread implementation of charging stations across the country exponentially increases the amount of potential damage as a result of power surges.  Inverters and transformers within fast charging setups must be positioned upwards of 100 meters apart, which significantly increases the footprint that the station itself holds.  With each added inch of space that is taken up by equipment that is interconnected, the chances of a lightning strike impacting the entire system increases.  Providing less area where the lightning strike can happen and then couple into the system is one of the areas that is being technologically advanced every day.  As the charging capacities of the stations themselves grow more significant, so does the risk of loss as a result of a single lightning strike. The more advanced the system becomes, the more expensive the equipment becomes as well.  As we advance towards the goal of fast charging stations becoming able to provide a full charge to an electric vehicle in less than 30 minutes, the capacities of the delivery system must increase.  The risks associated with these increases can only be mitigated through the involvement of more technologically advanced surge protection devices on an ongoing basis.  While the integration of surge protection devices in addition to external shielding devices which can draw lightning strikes away from these charging stations can help to minimize the risks involved, there are still vast areas for improvement within nearly every element of the electricity delivery system for electric cars.  The ultimate goal is to reduce the impact of greenhouse gases that are produced as a result of fossil fuel powered vehicles, but the rollout of these emerging technologies remains slow because we concentrate heavily on fully understanding the potential pitfalls before moving forward with widespread rollouts. 

Tesla is a leader in the field of electric vehicles and has done more for the advancement of the clause than practically any other manufacturer.  One of the main considerations that has drawn customers to Tesla is their proprietary charge delivery system and stations which have been installed in nearly every major city in the United States.  Even Tesla which has the significant advantage over every other manufacturer still faces the problems of not being able to be everywhere, and only through the collective push for integration of cross vehicle charging stations into the existing gas station network will we be able to see a more legitimate adoption of electric vehicles as being the choice for the majority of the population.  Tesla vehicles are provided with an adapter that can utilize the standard charging station hookups, but even though they are able to be charged at these types of stations the delivery of the power is not as great as within the Tesla network.  The extended wait times of standard charging creates not only frustration for electric vehicle owners but also the dangers associated with the longer times they are spent in and around your car while it is connected.  Through Raycap’s advancements in the surge protection industry as it applies to electric vehicles, we will see all of these issues be further mitigated with every year. 

How Does Lightning Impact Industrial Businesses? 

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/what-are-lightning-protectors/ 

Industrial businesses’ face numerous problems that are more difficult to deal with due to the physical makeup of their organizations and processes’.  The fact that these types of industries can operate within physical spaces that are more diverse and difficult to protect against makes the electrical protection of them a unique challenge in almost any installation.  The more sensitive and expensive the equipment used in the process becomes, the more effort and expense will be put into protecting it in a typical situation. Within industrial facilities there is almost no way to completely disconnect sensitive equipment from the aspects of the network which could be in danger during a lightning strike or a surge coming from the electrical grid.  This translates to a simple issue, the positioning of equipment in the field places it at a greater risk of damage than normal situations, even if the best of all protection circumstances is achieved.  Some of the industries where we have seen this scenario played out is in the electric vehicle (EV) market, the telecommunications industry and the green energy production methods.  All of these types of businesses cannot get away from positioning expensive and easily damaged equipment in the field, and are also faced with the added difficulty of needing this equipment to function during all types of inclement weather.  The risk of wind, rain and snow damage as a result of wear and tear is made far worse by the risks associated with lightning strikes and power surges.  The added amount of electricity that is typically necessary to power an industrial facility makes switching issues and the standard expectations of power fluctuations pose a greater risk of economical loss to the business.  When you begin to factor in the added unpredictable nature of lightning, you must expect a certain amount of losses to happen.  Even the best of all scenarios where overhead shielding diverts lightning strikes away from the critical equipment and surge protection devices are installed in a redundant fashion throughout the entire system, we can still expect there to be a certain amount of damage every quarter. 

In the telecommunications field, the position of the cell towers in an unobstructed manner creates the problem.  A good signal must be able to be able to be received and transmitted, which means that the cell tower must be one of the tallest structures in an area.  That tower also must be made of materials that can withstand a significant amount of wind and bad weather.  The tower must provide the ability to continually function during inclement weather as well as in normal circumstances and must be able to be brought back into a functional state in a quick and easy manner after a damaging incident has occurred.  The way that the system works is technologically advanced but simple in its methods.  The remote radio head is positioned at the top of the tower in order to receive the signal from the user on the ground.  The base station unit is positioned towards the bottom of the tower and is connected to the remote radio head through a series of cables that allow for data transfer and power flow.  The lightning strike to the top of the tower can easily allow for a massive power surge to impact this equipment at the top, and that power flow can travel along the connectivity lines to impact the equipment further down.  it is impossible to maintain operations without these two units being connected, and historically we have found that lightning strikes will damage the equipment at the top as well as at the bottom.  The process of minimization of the damage as a result of lightning strikes has involved creating breaks where the electricity cannot continue flowing, ultimately protecting anything beyond that point.  This is where the integration of surge protection equipment along critical pathways can extend the life span of equipment outside of the strike point, as well as improving the amount of time it takes to repair the system and get the tower back online.  This gives customers less downtime and ultimately improves the business functionality at the same time as conserving OpEx funds that would otherwise be allocated towards repairs. 

Within the electric vehicle market, we find that sensitive equipment is placed both inside of the cars as well as in the charging stations that are positioned in the field.  When the electric car is connected to one of these charging stations, the risk of damage to both increases with every moment that the charge in process is ongoing.  The lightning strike produces a power surge that can couple into this equipment and poses a risk of monetary losses, and a significant risk to the potential loss of life if someone is in or around their car.  Minimizing the amount of time that someone spends charging ultimately minimizes these risks and improves customer satisfaction, the tradeoff being that faster charging stations means more expensive equipment.  The integration of surge protection equipment throughout these types of systems is critical to prevent the loss of life that can occur, necessitating multiple and redundant surge protection devices to be installed along every potential transfer path on both the AC and DC sides. 

In the green energy production market, we find that the damages which increase the costs associated with production happen because of lightning strikes to either the solar panels or the wind towers positioned in the field.  Both of these types of structures need to be positioned in a way where they will be unobstructed, allowing for wind flow or sunlight to easily reach them.  It is critical for them to remain unobstructed if they are to generate power using the free fuel sources which are available in the form of wind and sun.  Every moment that a system is taken offline reduces the energy capacity that that system can produce, and compromises the viability of the methods.  Lightning strikes to these exposed areas performs much the same as within the cell towers mentioned earlier, the power surge travels through the system from the strike point and impacts the expensive and sensitive equipment downstream.  Through the reduction of the amount of distance that the power surges can flow, we can increase the viability of the entire industry through the production of more power in a 24 hour period.  We also reduce the amount of downtime and CapEx to be associated with repair and maintenance to those components which will be damaged. 

Raycap is leading the field in the production of surge protection devices that are applicable to all of these industries and more.  Through the diligent work and technological advances that have brought Raycap products to market, the company is also continually improving to develop better, faster and more robust devices.  Every improvement that is made increases the viability of these emerging markets and increases the profit margins for the operators involved. 

Technology Increases Profitability 

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/what-are-lightning-protectors/ 

Technological advancements in the surge protection industry has been driving down the costs associated with numerous unrelated industries.  Industrial operators who utilize exposed equipment that is subject to lightning strikes can benefit from the technological advances that are found in the surge protection industry.  Industries like wind power production and telecommunications have an Achilles heel that creates costs which are difficult if not impossible to control.  This Achilles heel comes in the form of their exposed equipment being difficult to shield from the lightning strike damage without also compromising the service that they provide.  In the case of wind power, wind turbines need to be positioned in a way so that they are unobstructed and wind flow can move across the blades.  By providing shield of any kind, the wind flow is reduced thus creating significantly reduced amounts of power production.  This unobstructed aspect is good with regards to power production, and bad with regards to damage that is sustained as a result of lightning strikes.  Because the towers that hold the blades affixed to their top also provide the path of least resistance for lightning to reach the ground, we find that windmill nacelles and blades are often the place where lightning will strike.  In order to compensate for this problem, the blades themselves have been technologically improved to be more robust while also being made from component materials that can be replaced at a less expensive price that it would be to use more expensive materials, ultimately driving down the overall cost of production of a single unit of power.  In addition to cheaper materials we also find the technological advancements within the surge protection industry can help to drive down these costs as well.  This is found in the issue that exists after the lightning strike, when the power surge moves throughout the structure.  This power surge flows from component to component, utilizing the inter-connectivity that is necessary as a pathway.  The power surge can flow along the data lines as well as the power lines which join computerized equipment together.  This means that if one component is overwhelmed by the power surge and is directly connected to another component in an unprotected way, you can assume that the downstream equipment will also be destroyed.  Computerized equipment has difficulty handling power outside of the safe range, and faults will form within the circuitry that is involved when an excess of power comes in contact with it.  Through the installation of technologically advanced surge protection devices along these lines as well as throughout the structure along the pathways that power can flow, we can isolate damage and therefore reduce it.  By creating a situation where the excess power cannot move beyond the point of the strike, the equipment located further away can be salvaged, thereby reducing the costs associated with power production over time.  Lightning strikes cannot be predicted and their damage must be factored into the business plan as potential losses but the impact of each of these instances of loss can be reduced in order to increase profitability.  (more…)

Solar Surge Protection Devices

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/solar-surge-protection/

Green energy produced through solar farms is one of the most important developments in the last 50 years for the replacement of our existing antiquated fossil fuel power generation systems.  But solar farms which use photovoltaic (PV) systems to produce their clean energy – used by both consumers and industrial customers –  have the potential for serious physical damage to their installation construction.  Solar farms need to cover vast areas of land without being obstructed and require direct sunlight which needs to be gathered on the faces of the solar panels.  While wind, rain and generalized exposure to the elements is going to produce a certain amount of wear and tear every year, the  replacement costs are always increased by damage as a result of lightning strikes.  Due to the exposed nature of the solar panels themselves, it must be expected that a certain amount of replacement will be necessary due to lightning directly striking the panels, or having the subsequent surge as a result of an indirect strike couple into the system.  The expectation of total loss at the strike point generally goes without saying, but methods to reduce the amount of downstream damage that is caused by the power surge can be put in place that will reduce repair and replacement costs over time.  Both types of lightning events produce electrical surges that are (more…)

The Importance Of Adequate Surge Protection In Industrial Settings

Industrial applications make use of the most robust versions of equipment in all processes, simply due to the fact that equipment must be kept up and running at all times.  In industrial settings you will often find equipment within the harshest of environments, fully or partially exposed to the elements, and enduring ongoing wear and tear.  All the while industrial equipment is expecting to outperform residential equipment and remain working through any day or night.  Industrial equipment is tasked with far more arduous operation than anything that is being used in the residential space. It is responsible for keeping critical systems online for the ongoing function of whatever business they support.  Industries such as communications, power generation, transportation and others are responsible for keeping the connected world moving, and huge amounts of energy is expended to support that effort. (more…)

The Finest Industrial Surge Protective Devices

Raycap is a world leader in the design and manufacture of industrial surge protective devices.  Our specialization in the space has lead to numerous industry leading products which can be integrated into nearly any industrial application, and which are being utilized across the globe by industry leaders in a wide range of businesses.  Our premier SPD is the Strikesorb line, which features a patented technology that makes it superior to all competitors. Robust housings, advanced materials and maintenance free operation throughout the lifetime of the devices make them the logical choice for mission-critical assets in need of protection from lightning and grid-side power surges. (more…)

Protection From Lightning With SPDs

Many people may have never heard the term “SPD.” This is industry jargon for “surge protection device” and is used as a method to describe anything that has the ability to prevent excessive amounts of electricity from getting from one place to another if necessary.  Generally they are used as a failsafe to guard against the unexpected increase of current through power lines as a result of some incident like a lightning strike or internal switching error.  These unexpected fluctuations in the amount of electricity flowing through lines can damage circuitry in any component that is connected to that power source, with the issue being compounded in situations where components are interconnected and thus have the ability for the surge to flow from one component to the next.  In this type of incident, there is a possibility of the loss of entire systems, resulting in potentially millions of dollars of damage as well as lost business.  For these reasons, those with significant investments in equipment that can be damaged by this type of situation will generally seek out the best industrial SPDs available for their type of integration.  (more…)

Protect Your Investments With Industrial Surge Protection

Nearly any industry that relies upon sensitive computerized equipment will benefit from surge protection.  In residences, homeowners or renters can lower their risk of loss due to power surges by installing surge protection inside the building connected to the items needing protection, or have a certified electrical contractor install a whole house advanced surge protection device where the power enters the home that will help protect everything in the home from damage that can be caused by an electrical storm.  Levels of risk for businesses are significantly higher because of the millions of dollars’ worth of control and communications equipment that may be exposed to power surges due to an electrical storm.  This is why serious businesses, especially those in lightning prone areas, choose to protect their investments with the best industrial surge protection devices.  When a single power surge can literally cost tens of thousands of dollars, it is better to overcompensate than to find out the hard way that your equipment was under-protected. (more…)

Lightning Protection For Green Energy Industries

Green energy technologies are the methods through which power is produced for public consumption using fuel sources that are not burned or destroyed in the process.  For many decades, power was produced through the burning of fossil fuels in order to turn turbines that generate electricity.  This electricity is stored and distributed to consumers through a connection to a power grid.  Alternative energy production uses the same methods of distribution to the public, but is significantly different with regard to the manufacturing process.  Instead of destroying a fuel source that is in limited supply and creates harmful by-products such as air, water and soil pollution, green energy technologies produce power through the harnessing of a fuel source like wind or sun and then use that fuel source to turn turbines which generate the electricity.  The fuel sources have no cost and produce no harmful by-products, obviously making them a superior choice to fossil fuels. (more…)

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/electrical-vehicle-surge-protection/

With the dramatic increase in electrical vehicle (EV) production over the course of the last five years, the need for a more aggressive rollout of charging stations across developed nations has become imperative. There are more than five million electrical vehicles on the roads and this number increases significantly every year. The hinderances to more widespread electrical vehicle ownership   has come down to a few specific roadblocks involving mileage between charges and the availability of charging stations. Areas like California are putting forth aggressive measures to reduce emissions within their state by favoring electrical vehicles, and have recently started initiatives to completely eliminate gas-powered vehicles within the next few decades. As public sentiment moves more towards acceptance of electrical vehicles as the preferential form of transportation, companies like Tesla have been improving their customer experiences by creating their own solutions to charging station shortages and battery capacities. Through the development of innovative technologies that improve these products on an individual level, the path is cleared for other companies to follow and develop innovations as well. Collective efforts are fast-tracking the expected widespread adoption of electrical vehicles as the preferential mode of transportation. (more…)

Lightning And The Damage It Causes 

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/lightning-protection-for-cell-sites/ 

Natural occurrences in weather are one of the most significant causes of losses at industrial facilities every year.  This is because the equipment which is utilized in the processes has a certain amount of exposure to the potentially damaging effects of lightning strikes.  Because lightning strikes are not able to be predicted as far as their location or intensity, industrial operators find that the best defense is an offense.  Through the installation of systems which are designed to protect equipment by having it protected in the first place, industrial operators save the money that would be spent on repair and maintenance as well as downtime and outages.  This is accomplished in several different ways and through several different types of systems that are utilized onsite.  The first and most obvious is the lightning protection system consisting of overhead shielding and lightning rods.  These types of devices draw lightning strikes to themselves as opposed to having those lightning strikes hit less protected areas of the facility.  Through drawing the lightning strike to a structure that has been set up specifically for the purpose of being struck, the fires and explosions that happen at the strike point as well as the electrical discharge that happens afterwards are able to be diverted away from sensitive equipment and to ground.  These diversionary tactics are designed to protect components utilized in manufacturing or industrial process through the simple process of never having the equipment being hit in the first place.  Every year, millions of dollars that would be spent on repair and maintenance of components are saved by drawing the lightning strikes area away from the equipment.  (more…)

Undepleatable Sources Provide Clean Energy With Technology 

The finite nature of the fuel sources that are used to generate  energy is a major problem for all people on Earth, not just those in developed countries.  While there are definite issues with the costs to the environment that the burning of these fossil fuels has, the actual purchase price that must be paid for the fuel itself is tied directly to the supply, which is limited.  Simply put, there is only so much oil, coal, wood or other fossil fuels in existence.  Once these resources dwindle past a certain amount, there is no more “being made” that can extend the supply further.  Even through the limitations of supply would not be breached during any of our lifetimes given the current population increase rate, we must think about the future and put in place methodologies that make sense fifty, one-hundred or two hundred years in the future.  This is one of the primary arguments for the development of technologies that utilize sources that will not be easily depleted in power production, such as the sun and wind, and the fast adoption of these same technologies will benefit environmental impact issues as well.  Every day that fossil fuels are used to produce power is another day that gets us closer towards the supply being exhausted, and another day of environmental damage that more than likely cannot be reversed.  Through the ongoing adoption, advancement and development of improved production methods that use un-depleatable resources, we can stop the damage and create a better world for ourselves and our future generations. (more…)

Surge Protection For Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable energy sources are not only important to our planet’s future, they are important to its current state as well.  For many years, the fossil fuel industry has dominated the market.  Using government lobbying tactics as well as misinformation campaigns, they have created a situation where the public has little knowledge of the real benefits of renewable energy, believing instead that it is just a more expensive alternative to fossil fuels, and that there is no permanent environmental damage being done.  In reality these statements and beliefs can be proven false, and are being pushed forward as a means of protecting profits at the expense of the public both environmentally and economically.  It is important to understand the current state of renewable energy production methods as compared to those of fossil fuels, in order to determine if a more widespread adoption of renewables is beneficial. (more…)

New Energy Production Methods Use Advanced Surge Protection Devices

For many years the world has relied almost exclusively upon fossil fuels in order to produce electricity for public consumption.  While these fuels may vary, the process always involves burning or breaking down the fuel in some way in order to produce energy that produces the electricity itself.  The issues with fossil fuel power production are many, involving the byproducts produced by the process as well as the finite nature of the fuel sources themselves.  As fossil fuels become more scarce, the price increases steadily.  With no method of producing more of that fuel source, we are left with no other option but to move on to other fossil fuels, which may produce damage to the earth in their harvesting or may be even more damaging to the atmosphere with their by-products.  These issues have lead to a revolution in the energy production field, and the introduction of new energy production methods that are able to be technologically improved upon to make them more efficient.  This means that while they may already be more beneficial to life on earth due to the fact that they have less environmental impact, they can also be improved upon to make them less expensive.  Once the production method proves out to be less damaging and cheaper at the same time, there is no reason to use the antiquated technologies again. (more…)

Green Energy Needs Advanced Surge Protection

The general public has a basic knowledge of the clean energy development debate.  They know that there is pollution produced through fossil fuels that has a negative effect on their air and atmosphere.  They also know that their electric bills will be lower if they support fossil fuel production, so they will generally weigh the perceived damage vs the costs they pay every month.  Environmental damage is not something you can easily observe when looking at the sky, so people will often vote with their wallets and ignore the damage that is being caused.  Warnings from environmental scientists are ignored as overhyped or completely false, and consumers go about their daily lives thinking that green energy is not a bad thing, but it is not worth spending extra money on developing because it costs them more.  Unfortunately these people are wrong. (more…)

Clean Energy Benefits From Industrial Surge Protection

As America and the world struggle with the issue of energy, its cost and the impact its production has on the planet, companies are quietly developing new technologies which will improve the current situation.  The debate stems from a basic disagreement between two camps, one that places environmental impact as the most important aspect and the other that favors lower costs and depletion of finite resources.  Both sides make powerful arguments as to why we should or should not fund development of new technologies that could improve production from alternative energy sources, but while the debate rages on so does the private development of these very technologies.  The main reason behind the private business sector’s interest in developing improved clean energy technology with or without government funding is because there are two aspects that are improved by technological advances in the space.  The first is the development of cleaner and less environmentally impactful energy production methods, and the second is the improvement of these methods so as to function at a more economical level than fossil fuels.  In a nutshell, this means that not only is clean energy going to produce less harm to the environment, it is going to be cheaper to produce than fossil fuels in the long run.  The leaders within the clean energy space will benefit the most from this tipping point, when the public realizes that clean energy production will actually save them money.  As a result, advances within the space are being made by private companies like Raycap and its customers every year. (more…)

Renewable Energy Surge Protection

“Renewable energy” is a term that is used to describe the production of electricity using a fuel source that does not have to be burned or mined in order to generate power. Typical and traditional production methods involve the burning of a fuel source like coal, wood or oil in order to turn turbines which therefore generate electricity for public use. Renewable energy production works much the same way, but the difference is that the “fuel source” is a natural element that does not have to be destroyed in order to provide the movement to the turbine blades. Converting this energy into electricity is accomplished in different ways based upon the type of “renewable energy” that is being harnessed. For example, in the case of wind power, large blades affixed to turbines are moved by the flowing wind, creating no residual product like smoke or pollution.  The wind moves over the blades of the wind turbine and creates movement due to their shape and position.  In the case of solar production, sunlight is collected on panels and is used to heat liquid trapped within a pipe system. This liquid expands and pushes through the system including across turbines, thus moving them to generate power.  Once again there is no residual product produced using this system. Hydro-electric power is generated in much the same method as wind, only using flowing water to turn the turbines. While the actual methods of production vary, the methods are referred to under the umbrella of “renewable energy” as the fuel sources do not run out, and are not destroyed by the process. (more…)

New Energy Surge Protection

Many people have never heard the term “new energy.” The typical residential customer will turn on the lights after work and never think twice about the production of the power that ultimately allows the lights to come on. For decades, this power has been taken for granted and generated in the same ways, by burning some form of fuel that was harvested from the earth, these fuel sources typically being coal or oil. There are two main issues with burning fossil fuels to obtain electricity, first and foremost is that they create a by-product when burned that pollutes the atmosphere of the planet. Secondly these fuel types are limited in supply, and while many people think that the reserves of oil, coal and natural gas are unlimited, most scientists disagree. Humans have harvested much of the easily accessed fossil fuels, so now new deposits are generally found in areas that are not within the primary usage area. This means that areas like the United States and Europe pay enormous sums to other countries in order to import the fuel source for use.  While negotiations between countries generally keep the fuel prices relatively affordable, we live every day with the knowledge that supply is limited and prices will only rise as shortages become more critical. (more…)

Green Energy Surge Protection

The term “green energy” is used to describe any form of energy production which uses fuel sources which are undepletable, natural and do not need to be burned in order to perform the function they are tasked with. Generally, the discussion of green energy refers to three main production methods at the time of this writing. These methods are wind, solar and hydro-electric power.  While these processes are quite different in the methods they utilize to produce the final product, they are also also alike in that they turn turbines through the use of a natural element like wind flow, water flow or sunshine.  The processes of wind and hydro-electric power production are similar in that turbines are turned through a flowing element moving across appropriately positioned blades.  Solar is slightly different in that it uses collection of sunshine to heat liquids within a plumbed system, causing them to expand and therefore flow and turn the turbines. All of these methods use a fuel source which is free and has no limitations as far as quantities available over time. (more…)

Energy From Undepletable Sources

Over the course of the past ten years, there has been a growing interest and push towards development of new and improved technologies that would create energy from “undepletable” sources.  This push has created a division in the population as to their opinions on this type of energy production, with one side arguing in support for fossil fuels and the opposing side arguing for several technologies that fit under the umbrella of “undepletable.” energy production. While the “fossil” fuel industry is one that creates usable power from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil, the renewable energy sector uses fuel sources which do not require burning or destruction in order to perform the task they are harnessed for.  Due to the fact that these fuel sources are not mined or harvested from the earth in a way that pulls a combustible agent from the ground, they are considered “undepletable,” because there is an unlimited supply which is not reduced by collection. The fossil fuel industry faces a problem in that their fuel sources are finite and become rarer each year, generally pushing prices upward.  The renewable energy sectors use fuel which is unlimited and which has no cost, quite obviously making it a superior method of creating power both in a cleaner and more efficient way. The supporters of fossil fuels cannot argue against these facts, and as support they cite cost as the deciding factor.  Currently, fossil fuel power production happens with a cost that is equal or lower than alternative energy production, a situation which can be changed through technological innovation. Supporters of the fossil fuel industry oppose funding this type of innovation due to the obvious threat to their profits, or the belief that the money spent on innovation will not produce a cheaper product. (more…)

Clean Energy Surge Protection

The production of electricity is crucial to modern life as we know it, and the most effective means of producing this energy will always be employed.  There are several different methods of effectively producing electricity for public consumption, and the methods that are employed en-masse are generally dictated by several factors.  The first of these factors is overall production costs, and the ultimate price that a consumer must pay for the use of a specific amount of power.  The costs associated with producing that unit of power must be completely covered, and a profit structure applied to the amount on top of these costs.  The fixed costs of production across all forms of energy production involve the storage and transport of the electricity, as well as method-specific costs that are different depending on the way that the product is generated.  In the case of fossil fuel production, costs of a fuel source like oil or coal must be factored in, as well as the costs associated with the processing of that fuel source ultimately resulting in electricity being produced.  In the cases of “clean energy” sources there is no cost associated with the actual fuel as it is a sustainable and renewable element that is not burned to produce the ultimate product.  The fuel sources of wind, sunshine and flowing water are necessarily purchased although there are costs associated with taking these natural resources, and the associated costs of processing involve the transition of that free fuel into electricity through mechanized turning of turbines. (more…)

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/electrical-vehicle-surge-protection/

Emerging technologies face hurdles that slow down progress towards widespread adoption, most of which develop over time as the systems become more elaborate. Consumer demand drives interest in the technology as a solution to a problem, then the technology improves over time by addressing customer complaints and dissatisfaction if and when it arises. While many consumer complaints are easy to forecast in advance, as the technology becomes accepted and embraced by more people the tolerance levels for shortcomings becomes less and less. Simply put, the more people use an emerging technology, the faster they demand that it evolve to be more user-friendly. This is the case with the emerging technologies involved in electric vehicles (EV). (more…)

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/lightning-surge-protection-devices/

Industrialized facilities face a unique suite of issues that potentially reduces the amount of profit that can be generated through the facility.  Where other types of businesses will seek methods of increasing profitability that involve cheaper materials or more efficiency in the work process, industrial facilities also face potential losses through equipment damage that happens at far higher rates than other types of businesses.  This characteristic can be found in industrialized facilities across all types of business models. This primarily has to do with the modern methods of doing business being technologically advanced, and the necessity to modernize in order to maintain competitiveness. Businesses must utilize expensive computer equipment in order to compete with others who have done the same, and each new piece of technologically advanced equipment that is placed into service increases the risk of losses. This is because industrial types of businesses are far more exposed and impacted by weather conditions than other types of businesses. More specifically, industrial facilities must operate under the constant threat of weather events such as lighting strikes to their exposed areas, destroying the expensive electronic equipment used in the process. (more…)

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/lightning-surge-protection-devices/

Within both existing and emerging industries today, industrial surge protection plays a pivotal role in determining profitability.  Because of increasing the costs associated with the purchase of equipment necessary to maintain operations in an increasingly technological world, the need for protection of that equipment becomes more critical every year.  New industries that have been born within the technical age have always faced these types of challenges, but even the modernization and computerization of older industries illustrates the need for protection if businesses are to compete.  There are almost no industrial businesses operating today that do not have a technological element, and all these types of businesses are also in need of cost reduction plans in order to maintain their competitiveness.  The most obvious way to reduce expenses is to prolong the lifespan of the equipment used in the production process, adding to the bottom line by reducing both maintenance costs associated with replacement as well as the costs of purchasing new equipment.  If equipment can be made to operate beyond the expected and predicted lifespan, the situation becomes even more positive.  Industrial surge protection devices exist for this sole purpose, to extend the life span of equipment utilized in a wide variety of industrial processes.  Surge protection devices which are integrated into facilities that have the danger of damage as a result of power surges will almost always cost significantly less than the costs associated with repair or replacement of damage to equipment. (more…)

Lightning Protection For Wind Turbines And Green Energy

The entire concept of “green energy production” focuses on the production of electrical power in a way that would have less impact on the environment and ultimately would be affordable for consumers.  Essentially, the development of green energy production methods comes in response to dramatic changes to the environment and atmosphere, and the costs associated with using so much of it.  While the damage that is being done is unmistakable in the form of removal of resources that have a limit (coal, oil, natural gas), as well as the obvious pollution that is produced when these resources are burned, the debate over how much damage is done to the atmosphere continues to rage by those with short sighted goals.  The justification for continual use of these methods as opposed to pushing forward with development of more alternative energy production is based on corporate profits vs damage to the environment.  Consumers have not been fully convinced that the use of fossil fuels is doing significant damage to the Earth, and as a result they tend to lean towards the least expensive and most reliable method of electricity production. (more…)

Surge Protection Devices

What are surge protection devices? The answer to this question can take many different forms, but essentially a “surge protective device” or SPD is a piece of equipment that is installed between a power source and equipment powered by that source, specifically to provide a form of protection from a surge in the electrical current.  There are several methods of providing this surge protection which involve diversion of the flow, complete cutoff of the flow or drawdown of the flow using a variety of techniques.  The most easily understandable method of explaining a surge protective device is to explain its functionality and purpose, which is to prevent electrical flow to a device from exceeding a specific safe level. (more…)

Protection From Overvoltage

Industrial sites need to be protected from electrical surges with overvoltage protection devices and systems.  Raycap’s offerings for overvoltage protection are comprised of components which are of the highest industrial grade, for example the patented Strikesorb and SafeTec surge protection technologies.  Strikesorb offers the ultimate level of protection for the entire facility by providing service entrance protection, while Safetec is deployed at feeder panels in side the facility to protect the critical and sensitive equipment inside including computers and data microprocessors, as well as any other devices connected to and powered by an electrical grid.  Power surges produced by lightning strikes carried by the grid or by switching transients produced by equipment inside the facility itself, as well as other types of overvoltage events, are some of the most common and costly issues faced by industry when it comes to equipment damage and replacement.  It is only through adequate overvoltage protection (OVP) that these costs can be avoided. (more…)

The surges and spikes in power occurring on data lines as a result of lightning strikes either directly or as strikes nearby to the lines themselves can produce corrupted data as well wreck complete destruction of communications awards.  This is why unwanted energy must be diverted through the use of surge protectors which have been designed specifically for these purposes.  Data surge protection is crucial in order to maintain critical information as well as important records used in the ongoing daily business.  Surge protection devices must be compact in size yet offer surge capacities which are very robust.  Surge protection solutions that are found within technologically advanced industries are one of the primary methods of protecting both the equipment involved in the process as well as the satisfaction of the customer base.  For example, cellular users care little about natural events like lightning strikes which will produce damage and limit connectivity.  Their only concern is a lack of ability to connect to the network or communication slowdowns which will deliver long download times or buffer in on streaming services.  The unhappy customer will move to the nearest competitor almost without thinking, since they believe that anything shy of 100% connectivity and strong signals is inferior.  As a result of maintaining both equipment used in the process as well as the customer base in a happy state, some competitors outperform others.  Those that invested in the most technologically advanced surge protection devices are generally the winners.

RF signal protection is the industry terminology for the devices which assist in maintaining of an ongoing uninterrupted signal between the base station unit and the remote radio heads at the top of a cell tower.  The ongoing communication between these two systems is crucial when it comes to keeping the signal strong and ongoing.  Lightning strikes to either the power lines which supply electricity to these components or to the data lines which allow communications between them create issues with regard to both equipment damage as well as data loss.  Both of these factors contribute to negative customer experiences and can cost carriers significant customer loss and profits.  Data lines are directly connected to the equipment in the cell tower system.  This means that these connectivity lines absolutely must be shielded from transients in order to maintain the communication levels customers demand. Signal protection devices will shield the radio frequencies involved in this process from an interruption while also protecting against electromagnetic pulse issues provided by those same lightning strikes.  The equipment involved in the process can be not only better protected but potentially used for far longer periods in the field before maintenance for replacement will be necessary, significantly impacting the bottom line of the owner. Signal protection devices for radio frequencies help to build stronger networks and happier customers every day.  The integration of these surge protection devices and systems is crucial to maintaining a competitive advantage.

Just a few years ago it would be unthinkable to not use your computer for the majority of your daily life.  Only two decades ago your cell phone was just a novelty that allowed you to receive and make phone calls without having to be connected to a cord, but few could ever envisioned what would ultimately become a total dominance of the internet space by cellular phones.  This has led to a near total replacement of that connected computer sitting on your desk with your mobile phone.  It has evolved from being able to create clearer calls and better connectivity through an upgrade of the equipment involved in the process, to actually transmitting larger packets of data across the network.  Once the possibility of this was realized, the integration of internet connections was the next logical step.  Once people were able to make calls, connect to the internet and stream video to a variety of platforms, the cellular phone has seemingly all of a sudden become the way that people remain productive in innumerable ways.  It also creates the issue of a total reliance upon that connection in order to have so many aspects of life remain functional.  If a mobile phone cannot connect to the towers around it, life almost stops completely as far as productivity goes.  Most people do not have a backup wireline phone to rely upon, and fewer every year have another source of internet connectivity.  If the phone goes down, so does the ability to access the network, resulting in almost no ability to do the things that are necessary to do throughout the day.  As a result of the magnitude of this issue, cellular providers have invested heavily in devices that are intended to protect the integrity of their connected networks, and investing in industrial surge protection devices for their towers and equipment in the field has become the norm.

Because of the general makeup of a cellular tower, they are magnets for lightning strikes.  Being the tallest structure in a region is necessary in order to provide uninterrupted signals to the users on the ground, but this physical characteristic also makes the tower the prime target for lightning strikes.  The materials with which the tower is constructed also plays a role in the attraction of lightning.  The damage as a result of a lightning strike to the tower itself is seen as not only the damage that occurs at the strike point but also the damage that occurs as a result of both network outages and equipment overload.  Lightning strikes produce a massive power surge which will damage the circuitry of the equipment which is used at the top of the tower to send and receive signals as well as the bottom of the tower which houses critical network equipment.  Equipment at these positions are connected through both power lines as well as data transfer cables, which provide a perfect pathway for the electrical surge to travel and damage that equipment.  Only through investment into the most robust surge protection devices, those that can take a lightning surge and not fail, are cellular providers able to keep your calls connected and your internet connection functional.

Lightning Strikes To Solar Panels

While solar generated power is one of the most innovative and potentially earth changing technologies to ever be developed, it does have costs associated with it.  Many people do not understand the costs, due to the fact that the sunshine that ultimately is used as a fuel source to produce the power is free.  The comparisons to fossil fuel production methods using oil and coal as fuel sources can be made with regard to the final product that is produced, but ultimately the processes are quite different and have different expenses.  Within the fossil fuel space, the main cost is the fuel source itself, but within the green energy space the main costs are operating expenses, or the maintenance and replacement of equipment. (more…)

Lightning Protection For Wind Turbines

Green energy technology is a phrase used to describe several different industries that generate consumable electricity using a variety of methods. The unifying element across these different production methods is the use of a clean and renewable fuel source in order to turn the turbines necessary to create power. Within the fossil fuel industry, this same process is completed by burning a fuel source such as coal, oil or wood in order to turn the turbines that produce the electricity, but in the green energy space there is no need to burn fuel. This creates the same effect without pollution or damage to the environment in the form of greenhouse gas emissions, and also without the necessity to mine or harvest the fuel source. With green energy technology the fuel source, including wind, solar or water, is harnessed and converted into electricity. These fuel sources are also available without cost, positioning green energy technology as being the obvious logical choice for anyone desiring a cleaner environment. While global warming and the actual amounts of damage caused to the environment by fossil fuel production is understood in the scientific community, some still debate the causes of the excessive greenhouse gases causing climate change. However, there is no denying that green energy technology does produce a cleaner process, and in doing so poses a definite threat to the fossil fuel industry profits because of its potential for also producing a less expensive product. (more…)

Surge Protection Devices

Raycap is a leading designer and manufacturer of surge protection devices.  The devices that are produced are designed for industrial applications, but can easily be implemented into home systems as well, protecting against the damaging electrical surges produced by lightning strikes, switching errors, transformer malfunctions or a bevy of other sources.  The Strikesorb technology produced by Raycap often exceed the standards that are placed on typical surge protection components, integrating more robust housings, more advanced components and an “always on” design that needs no replacing or resetting after it has performed its duty.  This provides a constant protection to equipment and systems, even after a surge instance that would require conventional surge protection technology to sacrifice itself in order to protect, yet leaving the formerly protected equipment vulnerable to future surges.  Blocking additional surges after the initial incident are critical in effective protection of equipment, and only Raycap devices are most capable at it. (more…)

Street Cabinets For Telecommunications And Other Industries

Raycap is one of the world’s leaders in the development and manufacture of surge protection devices.  These devices are designed to have a single purpose, to cut the flow of overvoltage to equipment beyond the point of their install.  The devices are designed to be the premier products available in the surge protection market, not only surpassing the levels of protection offered by competitors but also going above and beyond to offer unique characteristics that provide value to users.  Raycap designs its products to not only protect investments, but also to provide protection of function, keeping systems online or restoring them to functionality in less time than competing devices.  This commitment to not only a higher standard of performance, but to the highest standard available, is what has driven Raycap technological research since its inception.  That same commitment to protection is seen in other devices that may not have the technological level that the surge protection devices do, but that are equally important.  This same degree of commitment to producing the best possible enclosures for street level equipment is seen in the Raycap line of “outdoor active cabinets.” (more…)

Street Cabinets And The Protection Of Critical Components

Within the telecommunications industry, an issue that is continually being addressed with improvements is the protection of field equipment.  There is a necessity for the placement of significant amounts of high tech equipment within settings that are exposed to potential harm and damage.  Both natural and un-natural damage is a risk to exposed equipment, which can be vandalized as easily as being destroyed by weather.  In order to provide the greatest level of protection available, the “street cabinet” or “outdoor active cabinet” was developed.  These aluminum enclosures are designed to provide the maximum amount of protection available while at the same time allowing for ventilation in order to prevent internal overheating issues.  These enclosures are constructed of aluminum alloys, reducing the possibility for corrosion while also reducing electrical conductivity, creating a balance between strength and critical limitations of materials.  In addition to strength and security, street cabinets are also modular and are able to be designed and configured for any number of customer needs. (more…)

RF Protection From Raycap

RF Protection is an industry term that describes surge protective devices that are installed with the task of shielding radio frequencies. This type of technology is generally integrated into and near telecommunications equipment in order to protect RF and coaxial data or signal lines.  Raycap’s concentration within this space is the design of products that will assist service for areas where RF equipment must remain up and working, protecting against surges and spikes that will result in damage to communications equipment.  While the vulnerability of power lines to electrical surges is well known, less widespread is the understanding that data and communications lines are equally susceptible.  Lightning strikes to connected data lines can just as easily knock out communications capabilities between components as well as networks, as well as potentially destroy data storage components, leading to massive losses of stored data.

The technology that has been developed by Raycap to provide cellular surge protection for RF equipment protects against electromagnetic pulses and electrical surge transients.  Strikes can produce a steep rise in electric fields within micro-seconds, generating extremely high voltage pulses to antennas and to other unprotected equipment.  These events produce not only physical damage, but will also damage customer satisfaction, an element that is critical to the modern telecommunications business.  Outages and disruptions create unhappy customers that switch networks, and they do not care about the reasons for the disruptions.  The fallout from a lightning strike to power lines, data lines or directly to equipment itself can result in massive losses in the form of equipment replacement costs, but also customer revenue.

Raycap specializes in electrical protection in the telecommunications field.  Even a single lightning strike to an unprotected system can cause losses that will put a strain on a business, making the protection of communications systems paramount.  For this reason, Raycap has developed specialized products that are integrated at critical points within the system in a redundant manner, ensuring that no strike will produce the levels of damage or prolonged outage that would be seen if other methods are trusted.  Quite simply, Raycap manufactures the world’s most technologically advanced and physically robust surge protection and connectivity devices available to the telecommunications market  in order to  keep communications systems in place and functioning.  Raycap takes this effort so seriously because we understand that not only your business is relying on us, but also your customers.  A lack of connectivity during emergency situations can be the difference between life and death, and because of this we understand that it is not just a cellular phone in your customer’s hand, but a tool that can make all of the difference in a critical situation.  We are constantly researching ways to improve our SPDs even further, and push the connectivity level to as close to 100% as possible.  We strive to make your business better for both you and your customers, and promise to provide the best protection on the market both now and in the future.

FTTA PTTA Solutions

Raycap is well known globally as a manufacturer of surge protection devices for numerous industries, including the highly specialized telecommunications industry.  Within this specialization is RRH protection (remote radio head) which is essentially the exposed equipment that is housed atop cellular towers and other structures, designed to communicate with the base band unit (BBU) network in order to provide connectivity for individuals within range of that network.  This equipment has been recognized as being vulnerable to damage from a number of weather-related sources, most importantly lightning strikes to the tower or structure.  These strikes create immediate damage at the strike point, but also bring with them surge oriented damage to equipment that is in the vicinity of the strike.  Strikes to the structure are often times coupled into power and communications lines which connect the RRH and BBU, as well as associated equipment midstream.  The lightning surge event that transpires is nearly always of a great enough magnitude to destroy circuitry in all components, and is only able for equipment to be protected by the integration of industrial surge protection devices at critical points.  Using Raycap’s unique Class 1 MOV surge protection technology in the FTTA (Fibre to the antenna) and PTTA (Power to the antenna) connectivity architectures, DC power is effectively protected against lightning surges and fiber-optic cable is better distributed at distributed base station (DBS) or RRH architectures. (more…)

Protect The Turbines

The alternative energy industry consists of different areas that make up the bulk of what is considered “renewable energy”.  These are wind, solar and hydroelectric power, with wind and solar showing the most promise of greater adoption and expansion in the future.  The push towards renewable energy sources is not necessarily grounded in the protection of the environment, although that does play a major role in public support.  In reality, the move toward renewable sources of energy is about sustainable resources for the future, and cost. To be completely beholden to oil or coal as the primary fuel sources of a nation’s electricity puts that nation’s coming generations in a tenuous position for the future.  With regard to fossil fuels, countries are generally reliant upon trade agreements with oil producing countries, and the desire for energy independence combined with the potential for the ability to produce energy cheaper, leverages public support for renewable energy as oil prices increase.  People have begun to call for technological advances that provide cleaner and cheaper power, and are looking to the wind and solar industries to provide these solutions. (more…)

Protection From Lightning For Businesses

Each business is unique, even if they share the same industry.  Each type of business no matter what the product or service they provide are seeking a common goal, the maximization of profits through customer retention and new customer acquisition, the streamlining of operations and the reduction of costs.  As industries get more crowded with competitors offering the same products to their customers, the levels to which they operate must improve.  The market itself will eliminate those who do not provide superior products and low prices, as it has grown easier and easier to find competing businesses offering more and more to their customers.  Pressures mount to provide a better product at a lower price, and the only way for companies to reduce prices is either by reducing profit margins or improving operations. (more…)

Wind Turbines Are Better Protected With Surge Devices

One of the biggest issues hindering the progression of wind power as a replacement for fossil fuel energy production is cost.  When the total costs of making a specific amount of electricity using wind power are compared to the total costs associated with fossil fuel production, we see the higher costs associated with wind energy production which result  in higher costs to the consumer.  While most consumers are concerned about the environment, the cost issue will generally be seen as the major deciding factor with regard to the support the public provides to one method over another.  Because wind power production costs more than fossil fuels, the public support goes away from the method that can provide more environmental impact, unfortunately.  Recent technological advances in the surge protection industry may however help change the dialog forever.

Wind power’s costs are not fuel related, as they are in the fossil fuel methods.  Wind does not need to be purchased or mined. Instead the major costs are associated with start up costs and ongoing repair and replacement of components crucial to the process, which are often damaged in the field during the course of use.  Because wind turbines are generally placed in exposed areas and are the tallest structures, they are often struck by lightning.  This damage to the actual towers and blades of the system are almost unavoidable, and the costs of replacement must be factored in to any business plan.  The additional costs associated with the repair and replacement of computerized equipment that is connected directly to the turbines is a greater and unknown issue.  The surge that is produced by the lightning strike easily travels through connected power and data transfer lines, moving from the strike point to the sensitive equipment almost instantaneously. This surge overloads the circuitry of the devices, often times causing damage, explosions and fires. Sometimes the damaged caused by overloaded circuits is not known until a piece of equipment fails.  The added losses associated with electrical surge damage has proven to be difficult to manage within the pricing structures that consumers are willing to bear, making it difficult for many wind power operators to reach and maintain profitability without government subsidies.  However, studies have shown that the integration of advanced industrial grade surge protection devices within the turbine structures can stop the flow of the power surges before they cause damage, preventing a major portion of the costs that must be figured into the current business plans.  In addition to these damage related costs, savings as far as resetting and replacing equipment can also be found if the surge protection devices are able to withstand multiple lightning surges without failure, such as those manufactured by Raycap.  These types of SPD are functional even after a strike instance, allowing for systems to be protected with greater confidence, and ultimately saving replacement time and money.  Each moment that a wind turbine is not producing because of to damage, and is in an offline status, the business is losing money.

If you are a wind power producer who has not yet outfitted your systems with the most advanced industrial grade surge protection devices available, contact a Representative of Raycap today to discuss options.

Solar Surge Protection On Industrial Levels

Solar power production on an industrial level is accomplished using fields of solar panels which harvest sunlight in order to heat liquid within attached tubing and turn turbines.  This electricity is then captured and transported via electrical grids to customers for consumption.  While the storage and transport aspects of solar power production are much the same as the processes used by fossil fuel producers, the mechanisms deployed for solar power production are far more “high tech” than many used in the processes of extracting and burning fossil fuels.  While the high tech nature of the equipment used allows for more efficient generation, it also creates a more expensive product.  This is due to the fact that the equipment involved in the process that controls panel alignment, regulation and system analysis is computerized and highly susceptible to damage.  This equipment is attached directly to the panels via power and data cables, and electrical transients that alter the typical power flow to and from this equipment can easily overload the circuitry and cause damage or total destruction.  The costs of equipment repair and replacement, as well as the costs of downtime and non-production during peak hours as a result of damage, lead solar power to ultimately cost more than the fossil based fuel production of the same product. (more…)

Improving Solar Power With Surge Protection Devices

Improving solar production methods could be the difference that makes way for a more widespread adoption of solar power as the primary source vs. fossil fuel power.  While many countries globally have already made large scale investments into solar power in order to reduce the amount of emissions that are produced by the generation of electricity which is consumed by their populations, the United States has not.  There have been advancements towards more utilization of solar power as a production method, but widespread adoption and potential replacement of fossil fuel plants is still a long way in the future.  While adoption could be sped up through technological advancements that would solve several critical issues, government investment into these technologies has been slow to progress.  Naturally, a lot of this has to do with the lobbying power of the major energy fossil fuel producers, in order to stagnate any kind of competitive disruptor, (more…)

Surge Protection Device Integration Into Solar Power Systems

Surge protection devices must be integrated into the systems that produce power using photovoltaic components.  This is important for residential customers to understand as the interest in solar power grows amongst homeowners.  Over the course of the last 10 years we’ve seen an explosion in the interest in installation of solar panels onto the roof areas of private homes.  This provides that residence with the ability to generate its own power and sell excess electricity back to the local power company in the area.  It is well documented that the savings that can be seen on electric bills within homes utilized solar power production devices will offset the price of the installation of the system itself within only a few years. (more…)

Wind Turbine Blades Are Not The Biggest Expense

There are some equipment repair and replacement costs associated with the operation of a wind farm that can create insurance issues.  Just like with solar power production and the ongoing push to manufacture less expensive solar panels in order to reduce replacement costs, wind turbines also have damage issues that must be addressed.  There are cases where wind power producers have found it difficult to secure adequate insurance against natural damage to their equipment, simply due to the physical makeup and positioning of those components. (more…)

A crucial component that must be figured into the systems of solar power generation is surge protection, if the business is going to be shielded from weather related damage costs.   Solar farms primarily utilize a photovoltaic (PV) system in order to produce energy. These systems have the ongoing issue of being subject to weather related damage simply due to their exposure to the elements and physical makeup.  Wear and tear on exposed components by wind, dust, dirt and rain is difficult to avoid, however a far more serious potential for damage resides in the occurrence of lightning strikes to panels or connected equipment.  The expected deterioration of exposed system components can be figured into the cost of ongoing operations, and can be reduced through the manufacture of more robust panels, however the damage caused by lightning strikes is both far more severe and far more preventable through the integration of advanced surge protection devices (SPD) into the PV system.

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Solar energy production represents an exciting opportunity to turn the tide from fossil fuel heavy fuels which are not renewable, to the renewable energy provided by the sun.  The reason there is so much potential for growth in these renewables is because of our ability to advance and improve solar energy production through the use of technology.  Advancements within new technologies provides the ability to lower production costs, store the energy produced for longer periods of time without substantial loss, transport the product across longer distances, and produce the product with less environmental impact.  The ability to identify softness in the process and improve it with technological advances creates a landscape of infinite possibilities for new energy. (more…)

Wind farm operators will often worry about their inability to secure adequate insurance coverage.  This is because when insurance companies, after assessing risk factors involved in the daily operation of a wind power generating facility, realize that the risks associated with lightning strike are far greater than what they typically underwrite.  Essentially, the risk of equipment damage exposed to harsh weather may be within the guidelines of what is acceptable, but the unique makeup of wind farm structures adds an additional damage rider to policies that increases the costs and potentially makes the farm impossible to insure by the owner. (more…)

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/lightning-surge-protection-for-residential-and-commercial-applications/

When laypeople think about surge protection, they generally have in mind the surge strips that are sold at electronics stores.  These devices are simplistic versions of surge protection equipment which is utilized on an industrial level.  The functionality of these types of devices is lower quality when compared to the designs and technology that are involved in industrial surge protection devices.  Residential SPDs work more like the breaker box and circuit breakers, which simply switch off all power flow if it exceeds a specific amount.  A surge strip acts as a buffer in between the circuit box and the component inside of the residence or business, providing a redundant system which will cut off all power flow to the components which are plugged in to it.  These types of devices are generally satisfactory for home use, because the value of the equipment which is being used and potentially being damaged by the power surge is minimal.  As times change, we find that the modern smart home is using far more advanced and expensive equipment, (more…)

Misunderstandings of lightning and weather events can cause some people to fail to realize the importance of surge protection with regard to solar fields and energy production systems.  Alternative or “green” energy systems are understood to be primarily solar, wind and hydro-electric, with each using a completely renewable and free fuel source to create electrical power.  While lightning strike threats are obvious when it comes to wind farms  (often the tallest structure in an area), many fail to recognize that solar farms can also be in danger of lightning damage, even though they are typically lower to the ground and sitting nearly flat.  Solar installations are not immune to lightning strike damage because they do cover wide expanses and are exposed to the elements. When there is a lighting strike near a solar site chances are it will affect one or more of the panels themselves.  The damage that is sustained at the strike point itself is hard to avoid, but the real problems are actually a result of the resulting power surge.  This is why solar surge protection is so crucial to the profitability of solar power producers, as an important cost of doing business lies in the repair and replacement of damaged equipment. (more…)

Wind Farm Lightning Protection Solutions

Insurance risk to wind farms is a hotly contested issue, and the underwriting of insurance policies to cover losses to wind power producers is quite an involved process.  This is due to the multiple forms of damage that typically will befall wind power producers, generally categorized into two sections: property and mechanical.  Each type of damage will result in losses, but the types of losses that are typical have very different frequencies and therefore have to have very different types of insurance policies to back them. (more…)

Street Cabinets For Equipment Protection

Information technology is the force behind industrial control and distribution equipment used in the telecommunications or energy industries, and improving system functionality and protecting the investment is of primary importance, especially when it comes to sensitive systems. While “computer issues” are always a concern in any business, there are ways that sensitive systems can be protected from elements and the dangers and expenses associated with downtime.  One example of this is the advanced “street cabinet,” which is essentially a reinforced box with heat dissipation capabilities and protection from small creatures or rodents. It is within which this environment that outside telecom or utility equipment can be placed in order to be protected.  Street cabinets are generally used where it is necessary to place expensive and sensitive equipment — used in a process either at street level or in public spaces — into an environment where it is protected from exposure to potentially damaging circumstances.  These cabinets can be manufactured from a variety of materials and can come in a variety of forms, but the general purpose is the same, to protect the sensitive equipment that is inside while allowing it to function properly.

Advanced street cabinets manufactured by Raycap provide the necessary protection to computerized or electrical equipment placed in public spaces that could be damaged due to this placement.  This damage will generally occur through a variety of situations ranging from being struck by lightning to rodent infestation, or vandalism, and as a result they must be tough enough to withstand penetration from a number of causes.  If a cabinet were to be struck by lightning and it was made from a protective material that could conduct electricity, it would almost certainly assure the destruction of all equipment inside.  For this reason, Raycap street cabinets are constructed of high strength aluminum and plastic materials that will not enable the surge produced by a lightning strike to couple into attachments or connection points.  The points where wiring must exit the cabinets are reinforced through specialized grommets or other sealing devices in order to minimize the exposure points that would allow for moisture and air leak, both of which can have devastating effects on running equipment.  At the same time, ventilation systems are integrated that will allow for air transfer in order to prevent overheating of equipment due to the enclosed and sealed nature of the structure.  A balance between climate control internally and protection externally is the best defense that industry has to protect their investments in the field.  Raycap is a leader in manufacturing the technologically advanced cabinets necessary to provide that protection.

Raycap’s street cabinets have been the choice of leading industry decision makers for years, and are the logical choice for those tasked with extending the useful life span of equipment used in numerous industries.  The reduction of expense with regard to operations is one of the most important tasks that must be attended to in order to maintain profitability as well as online status.  Raycap is dedicated to providing its customers with the most advanced solutions available, ranging from integrated surge protection devices to the cabinets that hold the computers.  Contact a representative today to find out more.

Solar Surge Protection Systems

Solar power production has grown significantly over the course of the past decade, both in the form of industrialized systems that produce for communities as well as individual systems that are available for residential usage.  The growing widespread adoption of solar power systems to produce consumable energy can be attributed on the industrial level to the fact that is has the ability to not only generate cleaner power with less environmental impact, but also has the ability to generate less expensive power as technology improves.  The adoption of solar power systems on the residential level has to do with the ability to generate power for your own consumption yourself, and the availability of sunlight as a fuel source in far more situations that other sources like running water or even wind. Quite simply, solar power production is the future and will improve the communities that it is adopted within, producing necessary electricity in more widespread applications with less environmental impact than any of the other forms. (more…)

 Nearly every industry has become more technologically advanced over the past decades, and there is not nearly a single business that is not reliant upon computers for some portion of their operations.  Due to this move into the technology space even by  industries that would not seem to need to be technologically advanced, the increasing need for equipment protection becomes even more important.  The things that everyday consumers take for granted are generally tied to computerized systems in one form or another, and the only time that this dependence becomes apparent is when the system is no longer available.  When your power goes out, or when you cannot get a cell phone signal, you are being indirectly affected by a system that is probably controlled by computers, and you are witnessing in real time the need for protection systems to be in place. (more…)

Industrial Surge Protection

As a variety of industries grow more technologically advanced, they find the challenge of protection of the crucial assets of their processes to be increasingly important, and difficult.  Although there is generally a driving down of the prices of computerized equipment over time as it becomes more widely distributed, industrial applications are typically on the cutting edge of the technology itself, essentially utilizing equipment that has yet to see price reductions.  This is due to an ever increasing demand from the public for more advanced services, faster connectivity, longer uptimes, more data transfer, clearer communications, increased capacities and larger customer loads.  The demands that are placed on industrial businesses relentlessly increase due to both consumer demand as well as cutthroat competition, and the only way to keep up is to utilize the latest technological advancements that are available.  This is expensive, and can be a nightmare to service over time.  (more…)

Overvoltage Protection From Raycap

Within numerous industries that rely on the installation and ongoing operation of high tech equipment, the integration of overvoltage protection serves as one of the most important cost saving measures that can be undertaken.  It is through these integrations that the technological components of businesses are able to function for longer timeframes as well as extended lifespans.  The greatest threat to computer equipment is electrical surges that overwhelm the limitations of circuitry, and damage as a result of these overvoltage incidents can only be prevented by never allowing the surge to reach its potential destination.  Raycap creates and manufactures the technology that does just that.

While any component that is connected to an electrical supply line is potentially in danger of being the victim of an overvoltage event caused by any of the millions of electrical surges that happen every day, equipment in the field is far more at risk.  Your home computer can be effected by a power surge that destroys internal circuitry if the regulated flow of electricity to your home is allowed to escalate.  This will generally be as a result of some failure in the power supply chain, and is actually quite common.  For this reason, computer manufacturers suggest keeping surge protection devices in between the power supply to your home and your computer, so as to be able to cut the flow if there is a spike in current.  The same premise is true of the millions of dollars worth of equipment that sits on industrial sites worldwide, each and every piece being easily damaged by the slightest surge of electricity past the limitations of the circuitry.  The main differences between industrial surge protection and residential is that the levels of electricity that power industrial sites are far greater, and at the same time the equipment faces threats that are not typically seen in residential applications.  As an example, the alternative energy industries consist of components that are completely exposed to the elements, and through their very nature they are targets for lightning strikes.  These exposed components are directly connected via power lines and structures to equipment that is quite sensitive, and which would be damaged by the electrical surge that would be coupled into these lines by the lightning strikes that are so common.  Without industrial overvoltage protection installed at critical points on the supply line, as well as at redundant points within the structure itself, any strike to a solar panel or a wind turbine would destroy far mare equipment and cause far more damage than that which is produced by the lightning strike itself.  Strikes to cellular towers would destroy equipment between the RRH unit and the BSU.  Through keeping these circuits not only protected from damage but continuing to function even after a strike, systems of communication and critical production are kept online.

Overvoltage protection for industrial installations is not only achievable but is critical to the operation of modern systems in nearly every industry, and Raycap is leading the field in nearly all of them.  Contact a representative today to learn more about how Raycap’s unique line of SPDs can benefit your business.

 While the industrial and residential markets both benefit from surge protection devices that provide a layer of protection to shield sensitive computer and data processing equipment from electrical transients, the two markets are quite different in the devices that perform the tasks.  The typical residential surge protection device will generally come in the form of a surge strip, or maybe a slightly larger switchoff device that also integrates a battery backup.  These types of devices are usually called upon to protect computer equipment in homes from electrical transients that are not large enough to actually trip circuit breakers, but still large enough to do damage to circuitry.  There is a threshold that all computerized equipment can handle before sustaining damage to the processors and internal components, and even the slight breaches of this threshold that are seen when minor power surges happen still cause damage.  This damage might not be as gratuitous as a complete failure of the component, but ongoing degradation over time also shortens the useful life span of any equipment that goes unprotected.  The job of a surge protection device is to prevent the level of electrical flow from going over a specified amount under any circumstances, and that can be accomplished through various means.  Circuit breakers will cut off the flow of electricity through a panel, and surge suppressors cut off the flow from the point of the actual connection of equipment to the wall outlets. (more…)

The solar power industry is not unique in that the ultimate product being created is electricity that is used to power homes and businesses.  The production method itself is what sets it apart from other industries that produce the same product.  In the past, fuel sources were needed to be exhausted or burned, ultimately turning generators which produced electricity.  These types of fuel sources were generally naturally occurring elements that were mined or harvested from the earth.  Alternative energy uses naturally occurring fuel sources which do not need to be burned in order to be utilized in the same process, generally consisting of wind, water and sun.  These elements are harvested and used in processes which ultimately turn turbines and produce electricity without destroying them or producing by-products like pollution or waste.  In the case of solar, the sun’s heat is gathered on technologically advanced panels which heats liquid in tubes attached to the panels.  The expansion of this liquid turns turbines to produce electricity.  While this is a very basic portrayal of the process, the main takeaway is that the fuel source used is both clean and free. (more…)

The wind power industry has faced difficulty over the years gaining acceptance within the United States.  This is primarily due to the fact that even though the fuel source that drives the wind turbines and produces power is free, the actual costs associated with the process can amount to much more than fossil fuels.  When faced with the question whether to produce the same product (energy) in two different ways, most people will opt for the one that costs them the least in the long run.  Unfortunately, it’s becoming apparent that in the United States, current public policy does not place much value upon the reduction in pollution that can happen as a result of a wider scale rollout of clean wind power. The decision to commit resources towards wind power also will fall short when the consumer realizes it will likely cause their power bills to increase.  The good news is that technological advancements are bringing the production costs of wind power down, and eventually wind power costs are expected to fall below those of fossil fuels.  This will be accomplished through the extension of the life spans of the associated wind farm equipment, which is susceptible to large scale damage as a result of, wind, rain, lightning and other environmental factors. (more…)

Protecting the valuable equipment that is used for the industrial production of products and services is important to nearly every industry.  The minimization of operating costs through the extension of the useful life spans of critical components will be achieved in various ways depending on the industry, but the process of protecting components takes on similarities across nearly any industrial installation.  Shielding equipment from the weather and damage as a result of tampering may be as simple as placing it into street cabinets that are robust enough to provide protection against the harshest climates.  Shielding equipment from surge related damage is more complex, and the levels of protection that are achievable will generally be dictated by the precision of the installation of SPDs, and the technological level of the devices themselves.  Quite simply, all SPDs are not created equal, and the utilization of a technologically advanced SPD may be the difference between the loss or salvation of millions of dollars in equipment. (more…)

There is no doubt that industrial installations face challenges to equipment longevity including generalized wear and tear as well as other more catastrophic events.  In nearly every industry, an industrial level facility will be located in an area where environmental factors can play a part, and the sheltering of equipment from weather events is often minimal.  This is because attempting to shelter large amounts of outdoor industrial equipment is not cost effective, and the repair and replacement of the affected equipment costs less than building facilities in order to provide additional shelter from the elements.  (more…)

Most businesses are concerned with saving as much money as possible, and the ongoing push towards minimizing expenses is always a top priority.  This becomes especially important when businesses factor in longevity of equipment specified for a particular life span, while facing the unknown dangers of damage or destruction possible during the normal course of operations.  Essentially, the extension of the lifespan of a piece of equipment for as long as possible beyond the expected lifespan saves the company money in replacement and repair costs over time, thus minimizing operating expenses.  For this reason, many industries take protection from lightning quite seriously, and realize that by minimizing the damage that routine lightning strikes can cause will protect their bottom line.  Companies that are serious about lightning protection will most certainly be seeking the most effective technologies to accomplish that goal, and those companies will eventually find Raycap and its Strikesorb line of industrial SPDs. (more…)

There is a simple difference between energy that is produced by burning fossil fuels and energy that is produced through wind and solar methods, and that difference translates to money.  Electricity to power businesses and homes is the same product if it is produced by fossil fuel burning or by alternative energy sources, and the debate over which one should be the choice of countries like the United States generally boils down to which one costs more.  The argument between the two is confused by discussions of greenhouse gasses and climate change, but consumers will essentially vote with their wallets.  They are willing to tolerate a certain amount of damage to their planet and to their health, as long as that damage brings about lower prices.  People understand that burning fossil fuels creates pollution and damages the environment to some extent, but are generally willing to ignore that damage in favor of not paying more in monthly bills.  Green energy technology produces the same product without environmental damage or pollution, but costs more to produce.  Public support tends to lean towards fossil fuels because they produce electricity cheaper.  But what if that was not the case? What if it was less expensive to produce power using wind or solar sources, and without any damage to the environment at all?  If that was the case the debate would be over. (more…)

The telecommunications industry is being squeezed at both ends by consumer demands.  With the evolution of smart phones and devices, and the access to streaming services and social media, the demand for increased bandwidth and faster speeds has created a situation where consumers judge companies on their accessibility to data rather than the clarity of phone calls.  While coverage areas for telephone connectivity are also continually being expanded due to demand, the real pressure is in the data transfer aspects, as consumers expect to be able to stream large amounts of data from any place.  Increasing demand for connectivity and network availability places pressure on telecom operators  to continually push the envelope and expand their services by putting more and more elaborate and expensive equipment in the field.  From the other end, consumers are also calling for lower monthly bills, making it extremely difficult to satisfy both the connectivity demands as well as the pricing pressures.  The prices of equipment necessary in the process may be coming down slightly over time as technology improves, but the real savings that affects the bottom line of telecom companies and allows them to compete in this difficult marketplace comes from protecting equipment already installed in the field. (more…)

Alternative energy production relies on fuel sources that have no associated cost, unlike fossil fuels like coal and oil which must be mined or extracted.  The comparative costs that are charged to the consumers for the final product of electricity are still lopsided favoring fossil fuels, and many do not understand the reasons behind a method without fuel costs ultimately being more expensive than one with fuel costs.  The answer to this question lies in the technology that drives the wind and solar methods, and also provides the ability to advance and to reduce costs.  The fossil fuel industries have remained technologically the same for many years, the processes being relatively simple.  Costs associated with transport and storage of electricity are the same across all industries as the product produced is the same.  One method of production does not result in “better” electricity to your home, and in reality there is no difference whatsoever aside from the costs and environmental damages that are produced.  The fossil fuel industry has costs that are relatively set, aside from the prices that must be paid for the fuel sources.  The green energy industries, on the other hand, have the ability to technologically advance to drive down the costs associated with production. (more…)

The telecommunications industry is very “equipment reliant” and there is an ever increasing amount of technological components involved in maintaining the day to day operations.  The sheer volume and expense of this equipment prevents many potential players from even entering the market effectively, and creates difficulties with regard to competition for those companies that play in the telecommunications infrastructure space.  One of the primary drags on profitability is the fact that much of the equipment that is involved in the process of telecom connectivity is installed in exposed settings, making it susceptible to damage from a number of potential sources.  Natural phenomenon like weather will produce large amounts of damage to unprotected equipment in a short time in cases like lightning strikes or over longer periods in cases like ongoing degradation as a result of moisture.  Unnatural phenomenon like vandalism can destroy expensive equipment in a matter of seconds.  No matter what the threat, the telecommunications industry’s best defense against damage to exposed equipment is an “outdoor active cabinet” or “street cabinet.”  These devices are heavily reinforced enclosures constructed from materials like aluminum that will not conduct electricity in the case of a lightning strike and surge, while still providing enough ventilation and heat reduction capabilities to prevent enclosed equipment from damaging itself through ongoing use.  The challenge of creating a robust cabinet that can withstand the elements and natural threats must be tempered with building a cabinet that will not cause overheating, and Raycap has developed some of the finest designs in the world. (more…)

Green energy production has faced a long, uphill climb to becoming  accepted as the logical choice in many countries that are currently entrenched in the extraction industry.  Coal, oil and wood have long been the standard with regard to production of electricity, even though they have been proven to be damaging to the environment, dirty and expensive.  Quite simply, burning a fuel source to produce electricity has consequences, and the debate over the reduction of these methods to produce electricity in favor of more modern ideas is rooted in cost and availability.  The supporters of the extraction industry as the primary source of power of a country or region will argue that the damage that is produced by their methods is minimal, and is legitimized by the lower cost.  The supporters of green energy will argue that the unseen costs of environmental damage outweigh the monetary costs that consumers pay, and that we should be willing to pay a higher price to reduce damage and pollution.  The basic problem is that it is difficult to get most populations to accept personally paying more for something that can be produced cheaper, when the added consequences are not visible to them immediately.  Even though few people would argue that they do not want to damage the environment for future generations, most will still choose to pay less today in the hopes that the damage caused will not be too great. (more…)

Across many business genres, one aspect will remain constant and continual, the need to protect critical components and equipment from damage.  In all business types, one of the major impacts to profitability is the necessity to replace or repair the equipment that makes the functionality happen.  While these components will vary from industry to industry, as will the costs associated with keeping them online, the ability to keep them functioning for longer than is predicted will benefit the bottom line.  In a nutshell, if it is predicted and expected that a business will need to replace a certain piece of capital equipment within a certain timeframe, and that equipment lasts longer than that timeframe, then the business is more profitable.  Because one of the major causes of damage to computerized and electronic components within modern industrial frameworks is lightning strike and surge damage, the utilization of robust surge protective devices (SPDs) is necessary. (more…)

“Street cabinets” is a phrase describing a type of enclosure known in the telecommunications industry as an “outdoor active cabinet.”  These industry specific power cabinets are designed with the problematic aspects of the telecommunications industry in mind, where critical broadband equipment and network components are often situated in exposed areas.  In transmission networks, there is a significant investment necessary in power and fiber equipment, nearly all of which is both extremely expensive and easily damaged.  The positioning of this equipment in exposed areas is necessary and quite problematic, as damage can be sustained from a wide variety of sources ranging from lightning strikes to rodents seeking nesting opportunities.  Since the best defense against ongoing damage is a good defense, Raycap manufactures street cabinets in a variety of configurations and sizes.

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Most industrialized businesses in the modern age will have a large amount of what can be considered “high tech” equipment involved at critical points in their processes.  While the actual implementation of these devices will vary from industry to industry, the fact that they are integrated into the process of management in order to improve the output of the business makes them invaluable.  Simply put, computerized equipment can perform the tasks they are designed to handle better than human beings, as well as performing that task for longer periods of time.  While there are few that would disagree on the advantages of computerization within the modern industrial business world, the disadvantages present themselves as well.  Probably the most obvious disadvantage of computer control equipment within modern industrial businesses is the propensity for damage and cost. (more…)

The telecommunications industry involves a significant amount of high tech equipment installed in exposed settings.  The protection of this equipment from both natural and un-natural (vandalism) phenomenon is paramount to the protection of investment, as the replacement and repair of damaged equipment can be quite costly.  For this reason, along with the manufacture of the surge protection devices that keep sensitive telecommunications equipment safe from electrical surges, Raycap also manufactures enclosures that protect equipment from a host of potential issues.  These outdoor active cabinets (also known as street cabinets) are constructed of aluminum and are designed to feature dual ventilation ports within the wall construction, be resistant to corrosion and heat conductivity.  Overheating is a common issue when large amounts of equipment is housed within a protective structure, and Raycap street cabinets offer the greatest protection aspects available while still allowing for adequate heat exchange.  The cabinets are also lightweight and modular and can be designed specific to customer requirements. (more…)

While the debate over alternative energy rages on, with opponents to wind, solar and hydroelectric power production generally basing their argument on cost, new developments in the surge protection field may help end the discussion.  Alternative energy power production utilizes free fuel sources in order to produce electricity for public consumption, while traditional power production utilizes the burning of fossil fuels to achieve the same product.  While there is no debate that fossil fuel-based production of electricity has environmental impact that is greater than any impact created by green energy technologies, the debate continues based essentially on cost.  Most voters are willing to weigh the environmental impact of a production method against the costs that they will bear to have access to the product, and most will lean toward and support the cheapest method of production.  As technology produces more efficient methods of power production, the pendulum begins to swing in favor of alternative sources.

Windfarms produce electricity through the blades of windmills being turned by the blowing wind. This motion produces electricity and is transferred through components that are attached directly to the wind turbine tower via the electrical grid. The towers themselves need to be able to receive an unobstructed flow of wind across their blades in order to function properly, creating a risk of lightning strike by their very placement and physical makeup.  Being the tallest structure in an area without competing tall structures puts turbines at risk.  As the tallest structures in the area, turbines are always at risk of lightning strikes to the tower or blades, and it is expected that they will sustain a certain amount of damage as a result of a direct strike. However, the damage that is produced as a result of the surge of electricity that travels through the connected power lines toward the components used in the process can also be substantial. The control and production equipment is quite expensive, and damage to this equipment as a result of surges can range from simple destruction of equipment circuitry to fire and explosions. The damage is so commonplace that there have been instances of wind-power producers going out of business due to an inability to acquire adequate insurance.

The damage to the components as a result of lightning surges can be prevented and potentially even eliminated completely through the installation of industrial level surge protection devices at strategic points in the equipment chain. By breaking the flow of electricity across the lines and diverting the excess flow to ground when a surge takes place, the equipment downstream is protected and able to continue to function.  Prevention of this damage, which was built into the business plans of wind-power producers in the past as higher prices charged for power produced, enables wind farm operators to potentially drive prices down below fossil fuel production.  When the two methods of production reach equal costs, there is no reason to continue to debate the issue.  The public will generally support the cheapest method of production, and if that method is also the cleanest then the public benefits in two ways.

Raycap is a leading producer of surge protection devices for Photovoltaic (PV) systems that are used in both industrial power production as well as residential or semi-commercial markets. Solar panels and their associated control systems are highly susceptible to damage from both direct and indirect lightning strikes. The reason for this susceptibility is due to the physical makeup of the panels themselves (being large and flat with fully exposed surface areas), as well as the geographic placement of the panels in remote and unobstructed areas. This damage as a result of lightning strikes or surges, coupled into power lines running to and from the sites, can cause catastrophic failure of systems and result in high replacement and repair expenditures, as well as significant downtimes. Raycap products use fast acting metal oxide varistors (MOV) and other technologies to limit overvoltage to the attached equipment, interrupting electrical flow in order to protect circuitry from transients that are out of the safe range. Since 1985, the UL 1449 standard for SPDs has been the primary safety standard for surge protection. In years previous, the devices covered by the standard were known as Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors (TVSS.)  TVSS could not operate on circuits exceeding 600 V. Modern devices are now known as surge protective devices (SPDs) and may operate on power circuits not exceeding 1000 V. (more…)

There is currently a discussion going on between the fossil fuel industry and the alternative energy producers, in some part due to the fact that the fossil fuel industry views renewable energy as a threat to its profits.  As technological advancements bring the costs of renewable energy down and into line with those of fossil fuels, there are some interesting tactics being used to hinder the progress of the widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies. One of the most gratuitous examples of this is Wyoming’s “wind tax.” (more…)

The telecommunications industry requires the most robust industrial surge protection equipment to be in position at numerous critical points in order to assure equipment protection from surge events produced by lightning strikes.  These installations contain a combination of exposed and critical electronics equipment that cannot withstand the level of electrical surge produced by a lightning strike at or near a tower or rooftop without sustaining damage. The protection of this equipment is necessary not only to ensuring network uptime, but it is a crucial part of preserving the carrier’s budgets allocated to maintenance and repair. Minimizing damage not only assists the company in maintaining profitability but also improves customer satisfaction levels by ensuring connectivity is always available. (more…)

Raycap is a leading manufacturer of SPDs, also known as “surge protection devices.” While the primary focus of the company is on the industrial markets, the unique technology developed by Raycap also has an applicability to the residential markets as “whole house” surge surge protectors. The product lines that are produced by Raycap are more robust than most commercial surge protectors that are sold at home or department stores, although the methodologies that are used in order to protect sensitive devices from electrical surge damage are similar. The idea behind surge protection is to install a device in between any equipment that can be damaged by electrical transients or surges, and the source of that electricity. These devices can be installed mid-line, at junction boxes and at electrical panels. The devices are designed to allow only a particular level of electricity to flow through them before cutting off that flow and diverting it to an earth ground. This prevents a voltage level which would be damaging to the equipment from reaching the circuitry of such equipment downstream, instead cutting off that flow. (more…)

A “transient voltage surge suppressor” (also known as TVSS) is an older industry term which has been replaced in Standards bodies by the term “surge protective device” or SPD. A transient voltage surge suppressor is a device which is installed on an AC or DC power line to act as a cutoff if there is a momentary surge of electrical power, also known as a “transient.” TVSS devices are considered crucial to the protection of sensitive equipment which would result in circuitry damage or data loss if power overloads were allowed to pass through to them. With regard to surge protection, TVSS devices or SPDs are by far the most popular forms of damage avoidance available today. (more…)

There is a large division in the United States over the adoption of expanded alternative energy initiatives. While areas like Nevada are constructing billion dollar solar farms and California are reaping the rewards of wind-generated electricity, other areas of the country are quite resistant to the expansion of these types of technology. The main reasoning behind this push back is purely economic, that reduction on the reliance on coal and oil would eliminate jobs in those particular industries. This is a difficult subject, as many people in some parts of the country do not have the opportunities that other areas have, relying on these jobs in order to get by. For many in coal country, there simply are no other jobs to be had, and entire towns are being supported by coal mining. As residents of these areas see the progress being made in the areas of alternative energy, they see the potentials of their jobs being eliminated. (more…)

The Vulnerabilities Of Inferior Surge Protection Devices

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/surge-protection/

Surge protection devices provide an invaluable level of protection against damage caused by power surges.  Every year, millions of dollars’ worth of equipment is damaged through electrical overages being allowed to overwhelm equipment, not to mention the losses involved with system outages as a result of those components being damaged.  Surge protection devices were developed for the specific purpose of providing a barrier of protection against this type of damage through their integration into the system that they are protecting.  The electrical flow enters the facility and must pass through the surge protection device before that piece of equipment will be impacted by the electricity.  Any fluctuations outside of the safe range are handled by the surge protective device through specific methods, either diverting the electricity to another place where it can be handled safely, cutting off electrical flow completely, or drawing it down in a way that will only allow the measured amount that  is considered safe to pass through.  As a result, as long as the surge protection device is operational, the flow of electricity is received by the device which is being protected will be within the safe range or none at all.  When a power surge is detected by the surge protection device, it will perform its function which ultimately results in the protected equipment not being impacted.  While this is considered by many to be an adequate level of protection, when the higher stakes of industrial systems are in play, any additional vulnerabilities must be dealt with in order to further protect the equipment and systems.  One of these vulnerabilities is the fact that most surge protection devices are switched off or are completely destroyed when they perform their duty.  In the case of a simple breaker system, once the breaker is tripped the flow of electricity is cut off until such time that the breaker is reset.  While this is a very simplistic example, the theory is the same when dealing with technologically advanced surge protection equipment.  Once the surge protection device has been rendered offline, the potential threat of a subsequent surge as a result of lightning strike or some other factor comes into play.  While the expression “lightning never strikes twice” might be well known, it is not accurate.  During inclement weather it is quite common for the surge that follows a lightning strike to have an impact on exposed systems within a region more than one time.  In addition to the potential losses as a result of damage once the systems are left unprotected, there is the additional issue of restoring the system to not only a protected status but also to functionality.  Once the system has gone off line it is no longer performing the function that it was designed to do, and in this case the losses mount.  The speed with which the system can be restored to the functionality it was designed for is critical for profitability, meaning that if the surge protection device can remain functional even after a surge, systems are improved and have longer up times.  Raycap strives to do its part to not only create surge protection devices that are the most reliable on the market, but also to improve our own products by continually addressing new challenges.

The Basics Of Industrial Surge Protection

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/industrial-surge-protection/

Surge protection devices are one of the most commonly misunderstood products..  This is because if they are doing their job appropriately, they are rarely interacted with, and ultimately get forgotten about.  A surge protection device sits out of sight and out of mind until the very time when it is called upon to do its job.  Because regulated flows of electricity into people’s homes or offices are relatively stable, the minor fluctuations that are received throughout the day are generally not enough to trip the surge protection devices that computer or other equipment is plugged into.  Every now and then there may be a surge that shuts off breakers or trips these surge protection devices, and most people will simply shrug it off and reset the SPD to go on about their daily life.  We take it for granted so much that we probably aren’t even thinking about what just happened, and ultimately how much impact on our lives was just avoided.  Think about it like this, in a power surge happened that was not headed off by a surge protection device, there is a good chance that the circuitry inside of your computer would be damaged.  This would mean a loss of any work or files that were not backed up somewhere else, as well as however much money it would take to either fix the computer or buy a new one.  The simple surge protection device, that you forget was even there, was able to stop this tremendous amount of inconvenience and loss from happening every time that it does its job.  For the remaining time it is sitting dormant, and because of the lengthy periods of time in between surges you may begin to think that you can go without it.  Unfortunately, this is a lesson that is often learned the hard way many times every day. (more…)

Surge protection devices (known as SPDs) are one of the only effective methods of reducing the damage that occurs inside electronic equipment when power transients occur.  All computer and data processing equipment has a threshold that cannot be breached, with regard to electrical current, before the circuitry is permanently damaged.  While industrial equipment may have higher thresholds than consumer or residential versions, it operates with the same principals of overload. Consumer versions of equipment can generally be adequately protected from electrical surge damage with residential grade SPDs that can be purchased at most home stores. Typical surge levels that are seen in residences are often not the same levels that are seen in industrial facilities. Power surges that are seen in residential areas are typically transformer failures that distribute a surge to the homes and businesses connected to that grid, and typically don’t require devices stronger than those which can be purchased over the counter. Industrial facilities are another story entirely. (more…)

SPDs which are also known as “surge protection devices” are components that provide the ability to stop an electrical surge from reaching a destination point, thus protecting everything on the other side of that point.  All devices which are plugged into a socket or connected to a power source are susceptible to damage as a result of power surges, and it is the single function of surge protection devices to prevent that damage by preventing the electricity that is reaching that component from being of a level too great for the circuitry to withstand before damage occurs.  Along with this functionality comes the “electrical surge monitoring” capacities in many SPDs, as it is crucial for the device to be able to allow for power flow up to a certain level while still preventing any flow beyond that level.  The new and modern industrial surge protection devices offer this capacity. (more…)

If you are an owner or decision maker for a company that utilizes industrial applications or installations as part of your business model, you are probably very keenly aware of the losses that come with exposure. If your equipment is placed in the field, it has the potential to be damaged, creating setbacks to growth and issues with remaining competitive. Equipment placed at ground level in any variety of location types almost always has to be enclosed in a protective shell known as a “street cabinet,” and any equipment that is housed within structures that are potentially effected by weather must also be protected. While you may view the structure as the protection itself, many industries that rely upon computer integration for operations find that losses are not necessarily tied directly to damage by weather, but that the damage comes as a result of the weather. What this is usually seen in is lightning strikes to industrial facilities, and the power surges that follow them. (more…)

If your business is industrial, you are familiar with the trials and tribulations associated with equipment repair and replacement. Every year, millions of dollars’ worth of equipment that is positioned in exposed areas prone to damage will be taken out of commission by a variety of threats, and will need to be replaced to the tune of millions of dollars. The most obvious threats of theft and vandalism can be limited through the use of the most basic security systems and other means, but damage as a result of natural occurrences and weather is far more difficult to plan for and avoid. Potentially the most frustrating natural occurrence for many businesses are lightning strikes, because these have the ability to not only create large amounts of damage at the strike point but also residual damage further away. The natural setup of equipment provides the vulnerability that is exploited by the lightning strike, and the very cables and lines that power the equipment itself become the pathway for the damage. The lightning strike provides a huge surge of electricity that travels along these connections, overwhelming equipment that is connected together, essentially creating a chain effect of damage. Whenever  lightning strikes a component or a structure housing a component and destroys equipment at that point, then the associated lightning surge moves from attached components at that point to others in the system, damaging all in its path. The damage can be found large distances away from the strike point, and can many times costs add up to far more than what is incurred at the lightning strike itself. (more…)

You Rely Upon Industrial Surge Protection Devices

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Many times, it is the quietest systems that are the most critical. People rely upon system uptime in order to not only increase their own productivity but to maintain the levels of daily life that we have come to grow used to functioning seamlessly. For example, if you were to voluntarily turn off your phone and have no contact to others utilizing computerized devices for even 24 hours, your life would be intrinsically different than a typical day. Just a phone relies upon the benefits of industrial surge protection in several ways in order to provide the functionality that you task it with daily. First, the phone needs to connect and send a signal to a nearby tower in order to have any ability to provide functionality whatsoever. Within that tower is an industrial surge protection system that protects the equipment at the top to the connected equipment at the bottom. (more…)

Industrial Surge Protection and Residential Surge Protection

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/industrial-surge-protection/

While the concept of surge protection and the devices that perform these tasks is most easily understood by the public from the standpoint of how surge protection applies to the residential market, the residential and industrial markets are quite different from one another, as far as the design and makeup of the devices used. The residential surge protection devices are generally found as surge strips which are purchased at electronics stores and are designed to provide a thin layer of protection which shields sensitive computer equipment as well as data processors from the electrical transients that occur within the electrical delivery process all the time. These residential devices are installed to protect home computerized equipment against transients that are not large enough to trip the circuit breakers that act as the main barriers of protection. They are designed to protect against ongoing degradation of the circuitry due to small fluctuations in power. (more…)

Even Residential Systems Need Industrial Surge Protection Devices

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/industrial-surge-protection/

Everyone needs industrial surge protection devices, even residential customers. This statement may seem a little confusing because the differentiation between residential and commercial surge protection devices is not readily known. A typical consumer would look at an industrial surge protection device and probably be confused by what they were  seeing. The typical surge strips that are marketed to the residential consumer are obvious in their configuration, and they are easy to understand as they act as a place to plug a device into, with the other end plugging into the wall. This barrier of protection in between your sensitive computer or other electronic equipment and the wall outlet acts as the final barrier against surges and transients within the electrical system that happen all the time. The residential surge protection system is relatively easy to comprehend. The large scale power supply attaches to your home where it is regulated through a circuit breaker box. When these circuit Breakers are in the on position the power is allowed to flow through and to the residence.  If the power that is flowing changes and reaches a level that is deemed to be unsafe, the circuit breakers are tripped cutting off electricity until they are manually reset. Because the breaker system will allow for certain levels of fluctuation to happen that are not enough to trip the breakers, yet more than enough to damage the sensitive equipment connected to the wall outlets, we install a secondary level of protection in between these devices and the power source. These additional surge protection devices will function much the same way, tripping and cutting off power flow outside of a certain range, but at a range that is simply tighter than that which is controlled at the breaker level. Damage to computers and circuit driven equipment can happen in two forms, the first being a large scale power surge which destroys the circuitry completely and the second being small fluctuations that happen in a typical way and that can degrade the circuitry over time. While these same types of damaging effects happen on the industrial level, the need for more robust and technologically advanced surge protection devices at that level is necessary in order to protect equipment that is far more expensive and critical to daily life than your simple household computers. Because of this necessity to provide higher levels of protection, various methods of control are utilized by different devices which are specifically designed to perform tasks at a level which is far higher than is necessary within the residential market. A good example of this are the  Strikesorb SPD devices manufactured by Raycap which do not need the ongoing reset that would be necessary to restore power and functionality at a residential breaker box like discussed above. These specialized devices not only protect against the power surge but also maintain their status through the incident without the necessity for human interaction in order to restore their own functionality. These types of added technological advancements keep online many systems that are critical for modern life.

Clean energy research and surge protection

There has been much discussion over the past couple of years about continuation of US federally backed research and subsidies for wind and solar technology. Some insist still that fossil fuel industries should be favored for supplying consumers with electricity, since they are what we have always known.  While the debate will surely rage for some time to come over renewable energy vs fossil fuel energy, the real discussion always comes down to production costs. There is no debate that fossil fuels cause pollution and alternative energy does not, so the sides will often choose to concentrate on the amount of damage that is actually caused by this pollution.  One side will exaggerate the amount of climate impact, and the other side will minimize it, but neither will deny that as far as actual impact on the environment alternative energy production is more favorable. The real debate that will decide the future of energy in America comes down to the costs that must be covered by consumer payments. In a nutshell, the cheapest source of energy will usually be favored. By potentially cutting off research into better methods of production within the alternative spaces, the people in high level governmental positions may be keeping the fossil fuel industry relevant. (more…)

Many people are unaware that lightning is one of the biggest threats for property loss that many industrial businesses face. As a result of this threat, the need for continually improving surge protection devices and systems is needed. The competitive nature of business requires that operational costs be brought to an absolute minimum in order to survive and remain profitable, and losses that are brought about by natural events are difficult to manage. Industrial businesses will almost always have equipment in the field which is exposed to the elements and probably functions as an attractant for lightning strikes. This equipment is set up in a chain formation with components connected to cables and wires designed to allow for electrical flow or data transfer. A lightning strike to any of these components, the lines that connect them or even the structure itself which houses them can create a situation that results in extraordinary amounts of damage, and this damage is not isolated to the strike point itself. The strike point will nearly always see almost unavoidable damage, but the greatest costs actually occur when the damaging electrical surge is allowed to spread downstream and to happen in connected equipment that was nowhere near the strike point itself. This damage happens as a result of the surge of electricity that follows the lightning strike.

Surge protection devices are used as part of systems that function to protect equipment in the field from damage. The lightning strike itself is hard to avoid, and is protected against through the use of lighting rods, overhead shields and other diversion devices. The surge protection devices that are housed within the system function differently, and are instead tripped when the electrical flow exceeds a specific amount as a result of a strike or any other overvoltage. The surge protection device itself sits dormant along flow lines or at critical junction points, literally doing nothing unless the electrical flow goes too high. At that point their function is to cut the flow beyond themselves, either grounding or diverting the electricity. When installed at specific target points in a system, surge protection devices can prevent the flow of excess electricity to nearly any component in a chain. This is why it is suggested to not only install the devices at specific points, but also in a redundant fashion in case the device itself is destroyed or rendered non-functional. Through the effective use of surge protection devices, businesses can reduce their costs that are typically expected in the form of damage. This reduction of costs lets businesses remain competitive even in the toughest markets.

Has your business explored the most technologically advanced surge protection devices and systems on the planet? Raycap is the world’s leading manufacturer of surge protection technology for mission-critical industrial applications, as well as for residential installation. Why risk the losses that are sure to come sooner or later, when you have the option of using the finest SPDs in any market. Call Raycap today.

Lightning is one of the most costly phenomenons for many businesses. This may come as a shock to some, who would probably assume that the greatest losses generally come from theft or vandalism, and while these things do contribute to the losses of many companies, they generally do not compare to the destructive force of lightning. Another shock may be that the losses usually seen are not as a result of the lightning strike itself, instead they are found in the form of surge related damage that comes after the strike itself. The lightning strike point will see damage in the form of explosions and fires, but the subsequent power surge can flow down data lines and power lines to have an impact on equipment far away from the strike point. This damage can be extensive, and luckily is avoidable if the business plans for it. The installation of surge protective devices is a plan that not everyone knows is needed, but it can save millions of dollars of equipment.

Because excess electricity is the enemy of internal circuitry of computer driven equipment, the excess electricity that is produced through lightning strikes is the source of extreme damage. This electricity easily flows along the power lines that connect the equipment, and also along the data transfer lines that allow information to be exchanged between that equipment. The electricity can also flow through structures themselves, affecting equipment that is positioned inside of those structures. For this reason, the best defense against this type of damage is the redundant installation of surge protection devices at any junction possible and also along all lines that are capable of allowing electrical flow.  When excess electricity is detected, the SPD will be triggered and create a gap that the electricity cannot jump, essentially stopping the flow in its tracks. Because it cannot move beyond the point of the SPD, any equipment that is downstream from that point can be spared from the surge. There are different technologies that SPDs utilize in order to accomplish this goal, and there are specific devices which would be more suitable for one application over others. In order to most effectively protect your investments, the surge protection system should not only employ the latest technology available but also be made of the most robust materials. Many are unaware that some surge protection devices are destroyed or rendered inoperable by the lightning strike they protect against, ultimately allowing for a subsequent strike to take its toll. The most advanced devices from Raycap are its Strikesorb technology, which does not require replugging and resetting. This makes them functional even after they have been triggered. In order to fully protect your equipment, only Raycap goes to this level.

Is your facility adequately protected against lightning strikes and the power surges that accompany them? Have you had a difficult time managing costs as a result of these events? Contact Raycap today to inquire about the most advanced surge protection and lightning protection systems in the world.

“Surge protection” is the way that people will typically refer to the systems and devices that keep sensitive equipment safe from the damage that would be caused by the overflow of electricity to it. Most equipment that needs electricity in order to function can accept an electrical flow within a tight range, and any time that flow exceeds that range the internal components are at risk of being damaged. This damage is especially concentrated in the circuitry of the component, where even the slightest increase in electrical flow beyond the safe range will render the component inoperable. Most people have come to take electricity for granted, and are used to simply turning on the switch at the wall of their home or office  in order to allow a regulated flow to happen, but they are probably unaware that there are continual spikes and dips in that flow. While this may not cause acute damage at any one point, it can degrade the functionality of your equipment over time. In addition to the regular flow patterns, we can see surges that also happen as a result of numerous anomalies like lightning strikes and system failures. These surges of electricity can literally destroy the internal components of electronic devices in an instant.

Surge protection exists in two general categories, consumer grade and industrial grade.  The philosophy of the systems is the same, to prevent excess electrical flow from coming into contact with any piece of equipment that cannot handle it safely. How this is accomplished will vary, ranging from diversion techniques to the complete severing of the lines that the electricity can flow down. Things like external lightning rods and overhead shields are not technically surge protection devices, but do function to accomplish the goal of prevention of damage. Typically, people think of the surge protection devices (SPDs) as the main components of the surge protection system.  On the consumer end these will take the form of surge strips, surge protection plugs, breaker boxes and battery backup systems. The devices that are typically attached to these forms of surge protection are the home computers that most households have in the modern world. On the industrial end, we see surge protection devices that are far more technologically advanced and robust. Not only are these devices responsible for protecting far more expensive equipment, but they are also subjected to more harsh conditions and more powerful surges. Industrial facilities will generally be within remote areas and will involve equipment that is a prime target for lightning strikes due to its physical makeup. The propensity to have lightning strikes happen to the area or lightning surges to the components of an industrial facility puts millions of dollars at risk every day, and heightens the need for adequate surge protection on the industrial level. Improved surge protection devices will not only be made up of better housings and materials, but will use more advanced methods of cutting the electrical flow before damage occurs. The development of “always on” technology like those created by Raycap also enable a situation where the restoration of functionality happens far faster, minimizing the downtimes that cost money. Surge protection systems and devices are a part of everyone’s life, whether they realize it or not.

Raycap is one of the premier manufacturers and suppliers of surge protective devices (SPDs) for industrial applications in the world. Their proprietary technology Strikesorb®, is used in industrial sectors to protect and preserve the power needed to support mission-critical infrastructure. While the unique technology surpasses the traditional capacities of surge protection, it also may inadvertently factor into the move towards making alternative energy production sectors more commonplace by helping these sectors realize reductions in costs. This translates as extended equipment lifespans through improved protection from electrical surge damage, as well as cost reductions within alternative energy sectors that may reduce climate damage while saving consumers money.

Raycap’s technologically advanced Strikesorb line of surge protection products utilizes an “always on” system that provides ongoing protection without the need for resetting or replacement, which could be a key to seeing alternative energy production advance past fossil fuel dependency. Raycap is contributing significantly to the improvement of processes that generate power for consumers using alternative energy sources, driving the costs below fossil fuels and ending the debate over cost-competitiveness once and for all. If a source costs less to produce while also creating less damage to the environment, there is no reason to promote the continued use of the inferior system. In addition and in time, new energy jobs can replace and replenish jobs being lost in the fossil fuel sectors.

How does Raycap’s Strikesorb product line help alternative energy producers reduce costs? By using Strikesorb products placed at strategic positions within wind, solar and hydroelectric systems, a protective redundancy is achieved which shields computerized control equipment from electrical surge damage. The most common form of damage to these systems is produced by lightning strikes and temporary overvoltages (TOVs), which damage the exposed wind turbines or solar panels as well as produce overvoltage events downstream. These electrical surges overload the circuitry of expensive electronics that are connected directly to the wind turbines and solar panels. While the point of direct lightning strike damage is difficult to avoid, the surge damage can be mitigated or completely avoided through the use of Raycap’s technologically advanced surge protection products. Cost reductions resulting from reduced operating expenses provide the ability for energy producers to effectively reduce the charges to consumers. (more…)

Elon Musk is the billionaire CEO of Tesla and the visionary behind Space X, which is utilizing private funds to bridge the gaps left when many governments abandoned their space exploration programs due to budget concerns.  Musk is a very vocal proponent for green energy technologies, and is utilizing Tesla in a multi-pronged attack on the fossil fuel industry, creating technologies that would be hindered or even eliminated if they were dependent upon public funding for support.  Musk has proven time and time again that the problem isn’t the lack of technology or desire to create better systems with less environmental impact, instead placing the blame squarely on the fossil fuel industry itself and its desire to maintain control through suppression of technological advancements.  Essentially, Musk’s message is that the oil and coal industries maintain their stranglehold on energy production through governmental intervention and lobbying, keeping their own industries profitable by eliminating any competitive technology.  Through his own private investment, Musk is proving that green energy production is able to replace the fossil fuel industries. (more…)

With the dramatic increase in electrical vehicle (EV) production over the course of the last five years, the need for a more aggressive rollout of charging stations across developed nations has become imperative. There are more than five million electrical vehicles on the roads and this number increases significantly every year. The hinderances to more widespread electrical vehicle ownership has come down to a few specific roadblocks involving mileage between charges and the availability of charging stations. Areas like California are putting forth aggressive measures to reduce emissions within their state by favoring electrical vehicles, and have recently started initiatives to completely eliminate gas-powered vehicles within the next few decades. As public sentiment moves more towards acceptance of electrical vehicles as the preferential form of transportation, companies like Tesla have been improving their customer experiences by creating their own solutions to charging station shortages and battery capacities. Through the development of innovative technologies that improve these products on an individual level, the path is cleared for other companies to follow and develop innovations as well. Collective efforts are fast-tracking the expected widespread adoption of electrical vehicles as the preferential mode of transportation. (more…)

When lightning strikes a structure, there is an immediate high voltage shock.  The electrical surge is so fast and so intense, that without adequate protection for the blades, internal and external electronic components and framework, there is a near guarantee that damage will be suffered.

Wind turbines are subjected to some of the harshest climate conditions available, and are especially susceptible to damage as a result of lightning strikes.  Without direct strike protection installed on the turbine blades, or insufficient earthing or transient protection, the costs to windfarm operators for the repair and replacement of equipment is significant each year, contributing directly to the costs that must be passed off to consumers in the forms of higher rates.  While strikes to blades are quite difficult to avoid and manage, the over-voltage transients that occur after both direct strikes to structures and coupling from strikes to nearby objects are able to be prevented from producing damage if adequately protected with industrial SPDs. (more…)

All businesses operate on a relatively simple premise, to bring in more in revenues than is put out. This profit motive is the driving force behind most businesses, with the additional motivations of doing good for the community by providing essential services or goods. The balance of bringing in more in revenue than is spent in the operations of the business must be maintained if the business is to continue functioning, and this balance is extremely difficult to maintain in industries that are subjected to potentially damaging circumstances that cannot be predicted. All these types of operations can do is to plan for the expenses that will come with damage, and work towards minimizing these damages through preventive measures. Industries like the cellular network space, energy production and almost any other business that positions high tech equipment in the field must take all possible steps to minimize equipment damage due to the fact that their competition is continually squeezing margins to smaller levels, essentially creating the need for more expensive equipment while also charging less to customers. It is a difficult balance to achieve, but surge protection devices are helping stabilize the situation for many businesses. (more…)

When considering the different aspects of a business, one generally thinks about profits and losses due to sales, the costs of operation and the costs of startup. In order to keep a business running, business owners must balance all of these aspects in a way that keeps more money coming in than flowing out. From the business standpoint, many companies that provide services to customers have a relatively simple model, just make enough in new revenues or cut enough expenses to keep the operations profitable over time, and earn enough extra to pay down any debt that was incurred during the creation and operation of the business. When it comes to companies that provide services that may be mission critical, which is those that are necessary to maintain and sustain if not ways of life then maybe that life itself may depend, there is added pressure to make sure that the business systems remain operational. (more…)

Wind turbines are isolated towers that are very tall and which utilize sensitive electronic equipment for their functionality. Just by their very nature they are at a constant threat from lightning damage. In order to mitigate the risks to the structure, the best line of defense is a properly installed and functioning lightning protection system which has the capacity to intercept the lightning and subsequent surge, and safely conduct it to the earth. As wind turbine systems become more and more sophisticated, their vulnerability to lightning strikes is compounded. The systems which protect these structures from lightning generally will cost less than 1% of the total operational cost of the turbine, while improving both the reliability and cost effectiveness. (more…)

The renewable energy industry is made up primarily of solar, wind and hydroelectric plants. These facilities convert free energy sources into electricity for public consumption, and provide the exact same product as the fossil fuel industry. The differences between the two are that the burning of fossil fuels in order to produce electricity produces particulate matter that is dispersed into the atmosphere and affects the air we breathe and the environment we live in, while renewable energy has no associated particulate matter to speak of. There are also costs associated with the fuel sources in fossil fuel energy production, as the materials that must be burned are finite and have a cost to purchase or mine them. There are no associated costs with renewable sources as the wind, sun and flowing water are free to harness. There is little debate as far as the environmental impact that fossil fuels have, and although there is disagreement as to the extent of that impact everyone agrees that comparatively renewable energy sources do not cause the same harm to the earth’s climate. So why then is there still a tendency for world governments to rely primarily on fossil fuels instead of expanding their access to renewable energy? The answer is cost. (more…)

The telecommunications industry is relied upon by millions of customers each day to provide them with the ability to make phone calls, connect to the internet, stream data and gain access to emergency services. The cell phone has become much more than a mobile telephone over the course of the last ten years. It is now the main connection device that many consumers have to nearly everything that is outside of their general location. As the demands of consumers to use their cell phones for more and more connection activities has grown, so too has the need for larger and faster data networks. Along with the demand has also grown the costs that are associated with operation and maintenance of the wireless networks themselves. More capacity means more operating costs, and while the increased demand should technically be associated with higher monthly bills, the competitiveness of the industry actually pushes charges down. As operating margins tighten, increased priority has to be put on the protection of the existing network equipment and the extension of the life spans of components. The most effective way to keep costs as low as possible is to prevent damage. (more…)

Raycap has produced a proprietary line of surge protection devices which do not need to be replaced after they have performed their task of diverting the surge that follows a lightning strike. The electrical surge that either couples into attached power lines and structures, or travels directly through those lines from the strike point to any connected component is often one of the leading causes of damage to sensitive electronics at industrial installations. In many cases, these electronic components are not only sensitive but quite expensive, having been tasked with the computerized operation of the facility itself. Damage to equipment at the point of strike may not be avoided effectively, but damage that results from the overloading of circuitry in attached components does have the ability to be minimized, if not halted all together. Electrical surge surge damage is often a major factor in the cost of operations of modern industrial facilities, green energy included. (more…)

Industrial applications of nearly all types will benefit from the installation and integration of lightning protection systems throughout their facilities. While some may think that lightning protection is limited to the diversion of a lightning strike away from the facility and to a specifically designed attractant like a lightning rod or grounding system, in reality the function of lightning protection extends to other areas such as the protection against lightning surges. Upon casual analysis of the components involved in most modern industrial facilities, one will quickly realize that the damages produced at the strike area itself are actually minimal compared to the costs that can be associated with the power surges that those strikes produce. The degrading or even complete destruction of computerized equipment, data and communications components and general circuitry by lightning surge events provides enormous costs to companies. These costs can be avoided, even if a direct strike to an industrial facility is difficult to avoid. Through the installation of strategically positioned surge protection devices (SPDs) the degradation and destruction of attached electronic components can be minimized or even prevented. (more…)

Industrial Lightning Protection Components From Raycap

Most people are unaware of the integral part that industrial lightning protection components play in their daily lives. Even slight fluctuations in electrical current can cause inconveniences as well as dangers for consumers, in many situations. Surge related interruptions in services like cellular networks can increase the dangers to consumers significantly by potentially making communications impossible during crisis situations where storms are presenting the threat of damage or death. Simply calling emergency services can be a life or death situation, and the loss of communications must be viewed in these situations as far more than an inconvenience. (more…)

Lightning protectors are devices that are installed into technical systems to protect downstream equipment from the associated electrical surges that follow a lightning strike.  The concept is to prevent an electrical surge from traveling through power lines that connect an exposed unit and the computerized, data processing equipment and additional mechanisms that control that unit.  As an example, a cell tower would serve as the “end unit,” being completely exposed to the elements and isolated by its natural design.  (more…)

One of the most interesting developments over the course of the last 20 years has been the evolution of the cellular phone, and the reliance upon it by the general public.  Just two decades ago, a cellular phone was a new type of device that gave you the ability to receive or make a phone call without being connected to a line.  This functionality was provided by towers which were installed in a position that would provide an uninterrupted line between the cellular device and the top of the tower.  The signals that were being sent and received from the device to the tower top were then processed and sent through the network to that person on the receiving end of the call.  This type of setup has evolved technologically in order to provide more enhanced services for the person using the cellular phone, but both the generalized makeup of the process as well as the potential pitfalls of it have remained in place.  Cellular phones themselves have become more enhanced with the ability to transfer larger amounts of data using the same network.  This is how cellular calls ultimately became the access to the internet with the ability to stream video and send pictures.  Only through the ability to transfer larger packets of data were any of these processes able to become a reality, and only through the upgrading of the equipment involved in the process were these things able to manifest themselves.  The stakes became higher as the need for more technologically advanced and robust equipment presented itself, all costing more to both put in place and keep operational.  At the same time that these advanced services have become more commonplace, costs associated with operating the network has been driven down, enabling both lower prices and advanced services all at once.  Because cost cutting via a reduction of service would cause customer dissatisfaction in today’s landscape, the only way to continually drive the rise in operational costs down is to improve the process.  This involves creating ways to extend the operational life span of the equipment used or improve the maintenance and replacement of that equipment.  One of the best ways that this is being accomplished at the cell site is through the installation of more advanced DC surge protection devices, which minimize the amount of damage created by natural events like lightning strikes.  The lightning strike produces an electrical surge which can overwhelm any equipment between the top of the tower and the network, as it travels along connectivity lines as well as power lines it can cause damage to any other connected equipment.  These surges can produce outages that reduce the ability for customers to connect as well as send or receive data.  As more effective prevention measures are developed to reduce the amount of cost associated with lightning strike damage even more, we will see cellular providers able to provide even better services at lower costs than are available today.  Surge protection devices can keep us online and productive in today’s connected world.

The most popular industry term which accurately describes the devices and systems which are designed to shield and keep the radio frequencies utilized in several industries operational is “RF protection.” This critical operation is most crucial within the cellular communications field, where the modern base station transceiver equipment relies upon uninterrupted radio frequencies in order to maintain ongoing operations. Radio frequency protection is the only line of defense against significant losses of revenue that occur when lightning strikes remain unmitigated.  The lightning strike causes damage in several ways, the most obvious is the damage to equipment which can happen with a direct strike. Other damage occurs when the electricity surge following the lightning strike flows along coaxial data lines as well as standard power lines.  These surges can overwhelm the equipment and produce damage at the circuitry level.  The damage is also found within the connectivity lines themselves due to the fact that coaxial data lines are not able to handle the same level of electrical flow that standardized power lines can.  The damage to the lines themselves is only one level of the damage produced to the system, because these lines are invariably connected directly to  communications equipment.  Only through the design and manufacture of products which will protect against the surges in spikes that occur as a result of lightning strikes can the data failures and outages that are so destructive to cellular systems be mitigated.  The secondary loss of customers as a result of communications outages and spotty service is difficult to quantify but must be factored in as well.  Customer dissatisfaction is not able to be mitigated through the excuse of equipment damage as a result of lightning strikes.  Customers only care that their connectivity is not what they expected at all times.  The losses that are found as a result of this kind of fallout and far outweigh the losses as a result of equipment repair.

The technologically advanced RF protection devices that are manufactured by Raycap not only protect against the transients themselves, but also electromagnetic pulses caused by lightning strikes.  When a strike happens to a nearby power line or directly to one, a steep rise in electric fields happens within of microseconds after the initial strike.  These fields produce voltage pulses of extremely high levels which will easily travel through any unprotected antenna or transmission line which is connected to the primary communication equipment.  This can result in outages as well as data loss which will directly impact customer satisfaction rates.  The happy customer base is maintained through the ability to connect as well as the strength and clarity of the signal.  Any failure to take protective steps in support of RF signal protection exposes the business to operational issues as a result of outages as well as equipment repair.  If critical data is lost as a result of the lightning strike, it very well may spell disaster for the provider who is maintaining the network.

A discussion of RF protection needs to begin with its definition.  The industry term which is most often used in description of the protective devices which are installed into systems to shield and protect their radio frequencies is “RF protection.” This form of protection system is typically involved with modern transceiver equipment which means that located in base station units.  Most cases of RF protection revolve around coaxial data lines which are severely damaged or impacted by lightning strikes and the power surge that will follow. Raycap is a world leader in the design and manufacture of these types of protective devices and systems, which assist in providing uninterrupted service within the enclosed areas of telecommunications setups.  Raycap products protect against spikes and surges which produce outages and data failures due to the destruction of communication equipment.  To provide uninterrupted and continual communication within appropriate areas of service, our commitment to excellence is our driving force.

Communication lines as well as data transfer cables are highly susceptible to the power surges and electrical transients which are produced by lightning strikes, as well as to failure incidents within standard power distribution systems.  Even though data lines are designed to carry far less electrical current than a power line, as well as the fact that data lines are almost always directly connected to critical operations equipment, the need for protection to be installed along these lines and pathways is imperative.  The single lightning strike to a connection line can easily have a catastrophic impact on the critical communications capabilities within the network, and subsequent surges can destroy data which is housed within storage components and equipment connected to the lines themselves.  There are multiple solutions for providing protection against damage of this kind, all have been specifically designed for the application.

In addition to protecting against transients, the cellular surge protection devices which are manufactured by Raycap will also protect against electromagnetic pulses, these also being produced by lightning strikes.  When a strike happens directly to a cable or nearby it, there is a steep rise in electric fields that happens almost instantaneously after the strike.  These fields produce extremely high voltages and pulses which then could travel to any unprotected antenna or radio system via transmission lines leading to the primary communication equipment.  Losses because of customer dissatisfaction as well as equipment damage repair is a serious negative force to the bottom line of almost every business.  The costs of equipment repair are easily factored into planning, but the costs associated with customer loss as a result of outages is far more difficult to predict.  Only through the maintenance of a happy customer base as well as a network that remains stable and online for a majority of time can cellular networks be assured that they will be able to maintain a competitive edge in today’s landscape.  In situations where data is lost, customer dissatisfaction rates can be extreme, leading to major problems.  Through the integration of the appropriate RF protection the systems from Raycap, business can not only survive but thrive. Hence the Raycap tagline “It’s our business to help yours thrive.”

If you are anything like the rest of us, you have probably had more than a few occasions where your signal is weak on your cell phone.  You have probably experienced dropped calls or buffering when you are trying to stream video.  You may have experienced failures with regards to downloads of large files on your phone, and all of these problems have caused you to question if you should switch network providers.  The phone that you holding in your hand is viewed as a connection device by most customers, and the network itself is the transfer mechanism allowing them to both receive and send data.  People do not blame their phones for less than quality service, and instead will immediately question the quality of the network that they are paying to connect to.  Because of this perception, cellular providers must invest heavily into not only upgraded equipment with which they can provide faster transfer speeds as well as better connectivity, but they also must invest into the protection of that equipment in the field.  This is accomplished through small and compact devices which are installed at critical junctures on cell towers, between long connectivity lines in order to allow for the unmitigated transfer of information both along those lines and through radio signals.  The systems must remain operational as much as possible in order to avoid the customer dissatisfaction that will lead to revenue losses.  The maintaining of equipment as a result of damage in the field is only half of the losses that can come as a result of natural events like lightning strikes.  Repairing the equipment that is needed in order to provide connectivity is also compounded with the potential of data loss that can spell disaster for a cellular provider.  All of these factors must be taken into consideration in order to maintain profitability, and it has been recognized that the prevention of problems is the best path to take to keeping customers happy.

The strength of the signals that are sent between the remote radio head and the base station unit within the cellular tower is going to be critical in maintaining signal strength at the point of the handheld device.  It is going to dictate if the customer can connect to the network, as well as how fast data can be transferred to and from the device.  Lightning strikes have a major impact on these radio frequencies both through damage to the equipment used in the process as well as interruption of the radio signals through electromagnetic pulses. Through the integration of advanced protection devices that are designed specifically for these purposes, equipment damage can be mitigated, and connectivity rates can be improved.  This will lead to customers which question their choices of providers less often, resulting in higher profits for the provider themselves.  The investment into surge protection devices more than pays for itself in customer satisfaction and retention.

As our lives become more technologically driven, we are more reliant upon industrial processes to not only manufacture the goods that we utilize, but also to provide the connectivity and safety that we rely upon.  Most things ranging from the clothing that we wear to the cell phones in our hands are reliant on the industrial process in order to make our lives more convenient.  Industrial facilities have evolved over time to be far more technologically advanced than they ever have been in the past.  Advanced computer equipment and microprocessors as well as other circuit driven equipment are now found in almost every manufacturing process, and the costs that we pay as consumers are direct reflections of the improvements in speed and efficiency of these processes that has been caused by the integration of technologically advanced equipment.  Any areas of the process which are impacted in a negative way, for example being taken off line or shut down completely, will ultimately result in consumers’ needing to pay more for goods and services. These things can even cause consumers to except a lower quality standard from the connectivity where they may have become used to a higher level of quality.  Many of these negative impacts on industrial processes come from the natural events including power surges caused by lightning strikes.  The direct strike to the equipment used industrial facilities is rare, but will generally inflict significant damage both at the strike point and as a result of the resulting  power surge.  The way that facilities protect against direct strikes is through the installation of overhead shielding and grounding equipment.  Strikes that happen to the power and connectivity lines which run outside of the facility are more common and thus more problematic.  The power generated by the lightning strike travels along these power lines effectively.  This directs massive amounts of electricity towards facilities connected to the power lines,  potentially coming into direct contact with the equipment utilized in any number of processes, ultimately damaging the circuitry needed to keep these processes online.  The chain of events which happens when a piece of equipment is finally affected can create the catastrophic event in which the equipment is so damaged than it needs to be replaced completely.  These types of events take the industrial processes offline and ultimately create slowdowns that can increase customer prices.  Through the integration of industrial surge protection devices at the service entrance and installed throughout the building or industrial structure as well as  close to the equipment as possible, overvoltage events can be mitigated if not avoided altogether.  This allows for industrial facilities to continue to maintain operations effectively and for longer periods of time, thus allowing prices to remain low for the consumers.  The industrial processes that enable  connectivity also are able to remain online for longer timeframes, translating into a greater ability for people to themselves be productive.  In this way, our own personal lives rely upon industrial surge protection directly.  From the clothes we wear to the computers that we use and the internet we connect to in order to provide our own additions to productivity, we are dependent upon industrial surge protection more than ever.

Can Lightning Protection Reduce Climate Change?

Climate change may be the biggest debate of the century. The disagreement is not about the impacts that climate change will have on humanity and the planet, but instead are about if it is caused by man, or not. Both sides of the debate are in agreement that rising sea levels and warming atmospheric temperatures exist, along with intensifying storm activity and the disappearing polar ice caps. There is no debate about the fact that these issues are occurring, but instead it is about if human activity is actually to blame. One side states that climate change is something that would happen if pollution and greenhouse gasses were created by our global industries, and the other states that it would happen even if all these industries were not to exist. Because it is impossible to know for a fact what would be the case if there were no pollution, we simply must assume that an environment that is polluted is worse than one that is not, and even if this pollution is not caused by humans, it is still not positive. (more…)

Raycap is a leading manufacturer of industrial AC, DC and signal line surge protection technologies, which are designed to be more robust and advanced than consumer surge protection devices.  While the function of preventing electrical surges from traveling through power lines to equipment that can be damaged by an overvoltage event is the same in both consumer and industrial applications, the higher protection levels afforded to the industrial installations are necessary to protect both investment and system functionalities.  An industrial application may involve hundreds of millions of dollars of equipment that is interconnected by copper cable, and the services that they are producing may be of vital importance to millions of people.  Needless to say, industrial applications have far more at stake when it comes to the protection of mission critical equipment.  For this reason, they must feature the most advanced technologies available. (more…)

The electrical surge protection market has gone through a technology evolution over the past decade, leading to the development and distribution of devices that are far superior to previous generations.  With regard to industrial-grade surge protection, this evolution is even more dramatic than the residential market because of the rapid advances and pervasiveness of electronic devices in today’s industrial settings.  (more…)

The price of production continues to be the top benefit to using fossil fuels over renewable energy but tide could soon be turning.  Although there is no argument that “green energy” has less impact on the environment and would be beneficial to every nation, there is still a push back from many large countries including the United States to expansion of its use.  This is quite simply due to the costs associated with the production of power for consumer consumption, and the unwillingness of the public to pay more for the same product they already get, although it is currently produced in a more damaging way.  Most consumers will understand that there is an impact on the environment when fossil fuels are burned, but will still vote with their pocket books and choose the method that will cost less. (more…)

Over the past decade, countries all over the world have been embracing renewable energy technologies for many reasons.  Renewable energy does not require a source of fuel to burn in order to produce power, which ultimately provides any country embracing a green energy future with power that can in theory be generated with little to no cost. Additionally it reduces the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the environment, and is thus less hostile to the environment upon which all creatures depend. Opponents of renewable energy will nearly always argue that green energy costs more than fossil fuel production to setup and maintain.  Ultimately, the different sources of power have costs that are nearly even, with the one derived primarily by the fuel costs, and the other derived primarily by equipment costs.  The playing field has been narrowing for many years as the technological advancements in green energy provide better performance and equipment lifespans.  Recent advancements in the surge protection industry have also been helping this, making it entirely possible for the first time in history to produce wind and solar power less expensively than traditional methods. (more…)

The green energy movement is being watched not only by those interested in reversing greenhouse damage to the environment, but also by those who are simply “economically” aware.  This means that while some may monitor the current state of renewable energy sources with an eye towards how “green” sources of energy like wind and solar can reduce emissions, others are simply looking for a way to reduce their power bill.  People who are not activists or passionate about climate change may not necessarily be for or against any one source, but simply supportive of the cheapest methods of energy production for the masses.  This group cares mostly about the fact that the lights go on when they want them to, and that the bills associated with that power are affordable. (more…)

Solar Power Cost Reduction

While the hardcore opponents of solar power can be considered generally suspect as far as their motivations, there are several issues that are still under development which will bring solar power production methods more into the mainstream.  There is been a far more widespread adoption of solar power as the primary production method in Europe than in the United States, probably because of more cultural aspects and a personal feeling of connection to the environment by the population. (more…)

PV Surge Protection For Solar Systems

As the interest in the installation of solar systems into residential homes becomes more popular, the issues that surround photovoltaic (PV) systems become more clear to the public.  The primary motivation for the installation of solar panels onto the roofs of residential homes is generally to save money, where solar power can be generated and then utilized by the residence, as well as be credited back to the power company in the region.  In many areas, the savings that can be found as a result of a home generating its own solar power can pay for the system within only a few years, legitimizing solar power as one of the primary methods of generating electricity moving forward.  (more…)

Cost reductions through the extension of expected lifespans, as well as reductions in downtime due to maintenance and repair expectations are the most effective method of closing the gap between “green” energy production and fossil fuel energy production. At the core of all progress through technology is the presentation of the platform to the public for scrutiny and adoption. Some consumers will allocate a certain amount of acceptance and tolerance of situations that are less comfortable than others if there is a greater benefit to themselves or to society as a whole, but the general consensus of the masses will be to vote with their wallets. (more…)

The exploration of “green energy” alternatives to fossil fuels has been at the center of debate for many years, and although there are few outside of fossil fuel insiders who would argue that solar power is not one of the best environmental choices, the adoption of a technology is generally made based on economics. While the attitudes of residents of developed nations may not all be in agreement regarding the necessity to reduce fossil fuel energy production on order to slow the effect of greenhouse gasses on the environment, there is rarely an argument put forth in support of the more expensive of two choices if that choice is also the more environmentally friendly. What this translates to is that the real choice between fossil fuels and solar power production of energy falls squarely on the costs of production. There are some who are willing to pay more for energy if it has less of an environmental impact, but the general choices of the population will gravitate towards the cheapest power available. (more…)

Strikesorb is the premier offering from Raycap for surge and lightning protection for wind power systems. To accommodate the need for green energy and next generation power technology, more wind farms continue to be built and current wind farms are being expanded. As this trend continues, both turbine manufacturers and wind farm owners/operators are becoming increasingly aware of the costs associated with damage to these systems from the environment. The costs that occurs when a turbine sustains a lightning strike comes in two forms: the monetary costs associated with replacement of machinery caused by physical damage and the costs associated with the system being taken offline and becoming incapable of producing power. Electrical systems inside of wind turbines are at risk and face continual challenges based on the open landscapes that often surround them because they are generally the tallest structures in an often times exposed area. (more…)

The continual change in climate conditions combined with the increasing dependence upon fossil fuels has provided a great in interest in sustainable, renewable energy resources worldwide. One of the most promising technologies in green energy is wind power, which except for high startup costs would be the choice of many nations worldwide. For example, in Portugal, the wind power production goal from 2006 to 2010 was to increase to 25% the total energy production of wind power, a goal which was achieved and even surpassed in later years. While aggressive government programs pushing wind and solar energy production have expanded wind industry substantially, with this increase in the number of wind turbines comes an increase in the likelihood of turbines being struck by lightning. Direct strikes to wind turbines have become recognized as a serious problem, and there are unique issues that make lightning protection more challenging in wind energy than in other industries. (more…)

Raycap acquired STEALTH Concealment Solutions, Inc. (stealthconcealment.com), welcoming the privately held company to their portfolio aiming to further expand the success of both companies in new and existing markets. The transaction closed on June 29, 2018.

Press Release: Raycap Acquisition of STEALTH June 2018

Both solar power and wind power are internationally recognized as crucial components to the future of life in nearly every industrialized society on Earth.  The fossil fuel industry still dominates most cultures, with energy produced from the burning of coal, oil, wood or other elements used to produce heat and electricity, power our automobiles and cook our meals.  However it is widely recognized that there are multiple alternative methods of producing that electricity and energy including wind and solar power. (more…)

Raycap has a full suite of surge protection products available for wind turbine applications. From Strikesorb ,the premier offering from Raycap to various DIN rail mounted protection products and surge and lightning monitoring.  As we enter a time in history when the push towards green energy and technology is continually causing more wind farms to be built, and current wind farms to be expanded, both turbine manufacturers and wind farm owners/operators are increasingly aware of the costs associated with lightning strikes.  The monetary damage that operators sustain when there is an instance of a lightning strike comes in two forms, the costs associated with replacement of machinery due to physical damage and the costs associated with the system being offline and not producing power.  (more…)

Solar power production is an industry that has been in the spotlight in the American media landscape for several years as the push towards “green” energy production gains popularity.  Generally discussed in the same vain as wind power production, these two sources of renewable energy are favored by most environmentalists due to their negligible impacts on the environment. When compared to fossil fuel energy production, both solar and wind power are far and away the more preferable choice due to their low environmental impact and elimination of greenhouse gasses produced through the burning of fossil fuels. Greenhouse gasses and known and most widely recognized as having serious impacts on our worldwide climate, and the harvesting of the fossil fuel itself has also had serious detrimental effects on our landscapes and living conditions in production areas. With the advent of wind and solar power as viable alternatives that have the promise to fulfill demands, the discussion of complete elimination of fossil fuels as a power source, and the moving to greener production methods, becomes a very relevant one.  The hindrance at this point in time are the production costs which directly dictate the price of the energy that is paid by businesses and consumers. While there is generally no argument against wind and solar power as a method of producing power, the push back comes in the form of the prices that must be paid.  (more…)

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are at risk for significant ongoing damage and revenue losses to power plant operators as a result of damaging electrical storms.  Factors ranging from their remote locations and extensive layouts, to direct or indirect lightning strikes affecting system components, can all create revenue losses experienced as interruptions in power generation and equipment replacement costs.  Significant losses are sustained if a PV system is offline for even a few hours, let alone days or weeks.  The only way to mitigate damages caused by lighting surges is by avoiding the potential effects of surges with surge protective devices (SPDs) installed at inverter locations, inside combiner boxes, as well as at various other points within the PV power facility. (more…)

Solar farms using photovoltaic (PV) systems to produce clean energy for consumer or industrial use are subject to serious potential damage due to their specific physical makeup.  The necessity to cover wide expanses of land without having direct sunlight compromised by surrounding structures makes solar installations vulnerable to lightning strikes.  Combine this threat with the physical wear and tear of exposed open spaces caused by wind, rain and other natural events, and there exists a situation where replacement costs must be figured into ongoing operations.  It must be assumed that components of the system will be significantly damaged over time and need repair and replacement.  While there is little that technology can do to stop wind and rain damage, surges as a result of electrical storms can be prevented effectively with intelligent choices of  surge protective devices (SPDs).  All SPDs are not created equal, and offer different levels of solar power surge protection. (more…)

Photovoltaic surge protection systems are some of the most effective methods of increasing profitability of solar power plant installations. Operators of PV power systems understand the significant costs associated with equipment replacement or loss, and are also well aware of the risks of damage due to remote locations and extensive layouts. While inclement weather and natural environmental factors pose significant risks to solar installations, perhaps the most critical risk factor is lightning strikes to facility components. Lightning strikes create damage in the forms of both equipment destruction as well as revenue losses associated with systems being knocked offline for extended periods of time. The only effective means of protection is avoidance of the surge itself through installation of SPDs (surge protective devices) within inverter locations, string boxes as well as various other strategic points within the solar facility boundaries. (more…)

Over the course of the last five years or so, the nationwide interest in clean energy production has sparked additional demand for larger industrial installations of clean production facilities. The growing demand has produced the need for both larger facilities but also safer and more productive systems. The main issue facing these types of installations is the production of energy at a price which can match fossil fuels. The affordability of energy produced through “less clean” means has historically lead to the stagnation in advancements within the clean energy sectors, simply due to the lack of funding to develop the technologies. As we come closer and closer to prices which are equal, we find that technological exploration into improvements can propel clean energy production to a place which is unmatched as far as affordability. (more…)

Electrical surges are one of the greatest threats to wind turbines, and the operation of the systems attached to them. While damages to wind turbines as a result of the harsh natural climates they are exposed to is expected, the damage caused through lightning strikes stands out as especially significant. Due to their natural attraction of lightning by their physical makeups of being taller than surrounding structures and generally placed in remote areas, wind turbines themselves must have an assumed maintenance or replacement plan figured. This type of plan cannot accurately predict lightning damage due to the inconsistent nature of it, as well as the multiple forms of damage that can occur. A direct lightning strike to a wind turbine will undoubtedly produce structural damage to the location of the strike, and there is little that can be done as far as protective measures that will extend equipment lifespans from this type of damage. The coupling of added volumes of electricity into power lines which are directly attached to circuit driven equipment, however, does have an ability to have damage minimized or avoided. Through installation of Raycap Strikesorb SPDs at strategic locations within the wind turbine structure, the inevitable surge can be effectively prevented from reaching it’s destination. (more…)

Electrical protection is the common phrase to describe the protection of electronic components from the damages that occur as a result of electrical surges.  This problem is quite common due to the fact that electrical flow across power lines is not fixed at a specific capacity, and instead has the ability to surge to unspecified levels, the maximum capacity being only capped by the amount that the supply lines themselves are designed to transfer.  Fluctuations in the power levels being transferred across supply lines are known as “transients,” and have the ability to damage or destroy equipment instantaneously.  This represents the primary reasoning behind the installation of electrical protective devices in between supply lines and sensitive equipment in so many applications. (more…)

Industrial surge protection systems protect wind farms, cell sites, electrical vehicle (EV) charging stations and other industrial installations that rely on continuous uptime to remain profitable and serve the public. In cellular installations, customer connectivity to communications and data networks is facilitated by the ongoing operations of computerized equipment at cell towers in the field. Each cellular tower or rooftop cell site is a component of a communications grid which allows customers to remain connected while they are within range of that particular tower. The structure itself is a target for lightning strikes due to its physical makeup. The tower is designed to be taller than surrounding structures to provide unobstructed signals to be sent and received via the sites remote radio heads (RRHs) installed on tower or rooftops. The RRH is a sophisticated piece of radio equipment located at the top of the tower structure, and directly connected to the base station unit through fiber-optic cable and copper power cables; or by a hybrid combination cable consisting of both. Any lightning strike to the RRH or to the structure itself will generally create a surge that travels directly down parallel lines or is coupled into lines, easily moving from one component to the next through the metal structure to the power cables. These electrical transients must be prevented from making this journey in order to minimize the damage from lightning surges. In addition to physical damage, the downtime from being knocked offline due to electrical surges creates unhappy customers who are unable to connect to the network. (more…)

Two industries which see some of the largest benefits from DC surge protection are solar and telecommunications.  Although any industrial application which utilizes DC power current setups will be benefited by the installation of SPDs to protect the levels of current running to sensitive equipment at all times, there are several unique characteristics to these industries that make them especially susceptible to lightning strikes which is one of the leading causes of damage and as a result replacement costs to the business.  Raycap is a leading producer of DC surge protection products and systems, and offers numerous configurations of its Strikesorb surge protection line, which provides the optimum level of DC power protection from electrical surges produced by lightning strikes.

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DC surge protection is particularily necessary in several industries that utilize DC current in order to maintain service functionality.  Two major industrial applications of DC surge protection devices are the telecommunications industry, utilizing cell tower structures, and in the solar industry utilizing photovoltaic power plants.  Although the solar industry is more variable in its utilization of both AC and DC currents, the primary use of DC power is wider spread.  While there are numerous products on the market which provide a minimal level of surge protection for these types of installations, the Strikesorb line of SPDs (surge protective devices) are an excellent selection due to their superior mechanical construction and benefits. (more…)

is the common phrase to describe the protection of electronic components from the damages that occur as a result of electrical surges.  This problem is quite common due to the fact that electrical flow across power lines is not fixed at a specific capacity, and instead has the ability to surge to unspecified levels, the maximum capacity being only capped by the amount that the supply lines themselves are designed to transfer.  Fluctuations in the power levels being transferred across supply lines are known as temporary overvoltages (TOVs) or transients and have the ability to damage or destroy equipment instantaneously.  This represents the primary reasoning behind the installation of electrical protective devices in between supply lines and prior to sensitive equipment in so many applications. (more…)

Industrial Surge Protection is one of the single most important elements that needs consideration on every industrial application involving sensitive equipment, computers or data processing.  In the modern age, there is a significant amount of automation of nearly all operations on an industrial scale, assuring the ability to stay online during specified times, oftentimes 24 hours a day.  The majority of industrial applications have various characteristics in common across nearly every industry, generally utilizing a large amount of electricity.  The supply lines to the installation will have capacities far beyond those serving residences, and the probability of transients coming across those lines from the grid or lightning strikes is quite high.  The sheer expense of the machinery that is connected to these lines is reason alone for installation of surge protection devices, but when factoring in the potential for human life loss or outages, the choice to deploy electrical surge protection becomes clear. (more…)

Industrial surge protection has become an industry that is necessary in order to create extend equipment life and conserve capital.  All businesses face similar challenges related to cash flow, and no industry is immune to the pressures that are associated with costs of doing business vs income.  As a result of these pressures, of the business of risk management has become huge business of  validating methods to keeping costs down while providing service to customers. These analysis generally involve extending the lifespan of industrial equipment in any way possible.  The expected replacement schedules of industrial equipment take into consideration wear from regular use, as well as a certain amount of expected natural occurrences which result in the need for replacement or repair.  It is here that industrial surge protection systems can be so beneficial to companies. (more…)

The protection of wind turbines from electrical surges produced by lightning strikes has become more and more crucial as the move toward wind-generated power grows in popularity.  Over the course of the last five years, the increasing interest in “green” energy from both an economic and sustainability aspect has created the need for ever increasing production of new energy sources like wind turbines, solar panels and other alternative energy technology.  The majority of “clean” power production shares a common element, the installation of mechanical elements and electronic components in remote areas that are subject to the harshest of weather conditions, including lightning strikes.  The damage that results from a lightning strike either directly to a wind turbine or coupled into power lines from a strike to a nearby structure is significant, and can range from catastrophic failures that need complete equipment  replacements to offline outages that require expensive maintenance and resetting to restore functionality.  While a direct lightning strike to turbine blades or the wind turbine structure itself will invariably produce mechanical damage, the surges that come from these strikes can be prevented from reaching the sensitive equipment of the installation, as long as the electrical protection systems are robust enough to prevent surges of this magnitude.  There are millions of lightning strikes every day across the globe, and the prevention of surge related damage to the systems that produce clean energy will help reduce costs and ultimately create a situation where wind-generated power will match fossil fuel power. (more…)

There are many different types of industrial applications which utilize sensitive equipment in order to provide functionality, all of which should be outfitted with a surge protective device. In most cases this will be presented in the form of computerized machinery and data processing equipment or lines which will either provide accesses to networks or continually monitor/manipulate situations within the network in order to maintain ongoing operations. Advancements over the years have allowed for larger transfers of data with faster speeds and over larger distances, as well as tighter control over the machinery in play at any point, but with this advanced technology comes greater expense and risk with regards to electrical transients. All of these pieces of technology require certain levels of power to be supplied, and all have a tolerance threshold which cannot be breached safely. One of the most damaging and destructive phenomenon that can happen is the lightning created electrical surge, and without adequate protection against this phenomenon, a company can lose millions of dollars in an instant. The circuitry within modern computers and data processors are only able to withstand a minor fluctuation in current before damage or degradation happens, lightning strikes to the supply lines or the facilities themselves creating surges that are far out of this safety zone. The only effective method of damage prevention is suppression of the surge completely and totally, this being accomplished through the installation of surge protective devices which monitor electrical flow and instantaneously cut it off if necessary. (more…)

Wind turbine surge protection is an absolute must if operators are to prevent the eventual failures of equipment and damage to components caused by lightning strikes.  Wind farms are generally positioned in remote locations, subject to harsh weather conditions including lightning strike related damage. If lightning strikes even near a wind farm the likelihood of residual surge damage is significantly increased if the wind turbine is left unprotected.  In fact, the majority of damage caused by lightning is as a result of indirect strikes to turbines having inadequate protection, or a combination of insufficient grounding or transient surge protection.  Lightning strikes will most times be associated with blades, however there is also significant risk of damage as a result of over-current and over-voltage transients which are brought about through both direct and indirect strikes.   There are roughly 1,700 active electrical storms at any time of day throughout the world, producing over 100 lightning flashes per second.  This means that there are upwards of 8 million lightning strikes every day, and cloud to ground strikes make up about 10% of this number.  The odds of a wind turbine being struck by lightning are high, and the resulting damages are not limited to component failure.  In addition to the obvious direct strike damage, there is also significant risk to people and structures in the form of step and touch potentials, side flashes and secondary events such as smoke inhalation, potential falling objects and water ingresses. (more…)

Surge protection for wind turbines is a crucial addition necessary for wind farm operators to protect their investments, keep operations running and reduce ongoing expenses caused by electrical surges caused by lightning strikes.  Wind power is a key to the new energy development movement with the potential of helping countries reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. Countries and companies all over the world are beginning to fully realize the benefits of clean energy production, and as the explosion of interest in wind generated power increases, so does the need for effective protection of these structures and the systems that comprise them.  Wind turbines are generally the tallest structures in an area and often are located on high ground. As such they are often subjected to the harshest weather conditions including the thousands of electrical storms present on any given day across the globe.  These storms produce nearly 8 million lightning strikes per day. (more…)

Industrial Surge Protection is the term that is used to describe the securing of data equipment, processors or other machinery from damage as a result of electrical surges. While the most severe kind of surge which will effect industrial applications is as a result of lightning, there are also surges which are produced by numerous other kinds of failures or errors. No matter what the source of an electrical transient, the only way to prevent damage to equipment is to prevent it from ever reaching the end point. In order to do this specialized industrial surge protectin equipment must be installed in between the source of the electrical surge and the equipment itself. The installation points are generally at junctures, electrical boxes and line joins. The power lines themselves are designed to allow for the most unrestricted flow of electricity possible, so the installation of these diversionary or breaker types of devices becomes crucial in order to prevent the flow when necessary. (more…)

Electrical Protection is crucial to the ongoing preservation of the sensitive components inside of computers and most high tech equipment that requires electricity through the power grid. Electrical protection devices will generally fall into two categories, those designed for consumer use within the home and those designed for industrial use to protect today’s complex and sensitive electronic equipment worth millions of dollars. Naturally, the levels of protection necessary for these two classes of equipment are vastly different. Raycap specializes in the manufacture and sale of electrical protection equipment that is designed for industrial use. (more…)

Industrial Lightning Protection is an industry that was born out of necessity. As advancements in sensitive electronic components capable of being damaged by even slight fluctuations in electrical current have grown, the necessity to protect that equipment from electrical surges has become more crucial. Because of the expense and more mission critical nature of electronic equipment being installed in industrial applications, advances in electrical protection became necessary. (more…)

RF Protection

RF Protection is an industry term to describe protective devices that are installed in order to shield radio frequencies, and are typically involved in modern base station transceiver equipment. In most cases the application involves protection RF and Coaxial data lines, which can be severely impacted by lightning strikes and the associated transient that follows. The area of concentration with regards to RF protection at Raycap involves the design of protective devices which can influence the experience of uninterrupted service within enclosed areas. Raycap designs and manufactures products which protect against the surges and spikes which can produce data failures and outages through the destruction of communication boards. Ongoing, unfettered communication within specific areas of service is our goal. (more…)

Most consumers will lead their daily lives without ever thinking about lightning strikes or the power surges that go with them. For the most part, this is an occurrence that will almost never have an effect on you, but this is generally because of the surge protection systems that protect you without your knowledge. You might think that the only effect that a power surge will have on you as far as a direct impact is if it occurs in a way that destroys the circuitry of your computer or smart TV at home. You probably have your home computer equipment plugged into surge strips or possibly a more elaborate UPS battery backup and surge protection combination, all of which protect your home electronics if some sort of malfunction was to occur. Transformer explosions are one of the most common forms of malfunction that can cause power surges to your home, but lightning strikes to equipment in the field can also have the same effect. Even the slight fluctuations in power levels that happen regularly in some areas can have a damaging effect on your computer equipment, shortening its life span if it is left on during the times when surges happen. This is not, however, the only impact that surges have on your life. (more…)

Green energy is the future of energy production worldwide. There is basically no denying this fact because fossil fuel production methods rely on the burning of limited supply fuel sources, where green energy production does not. Any fuel source that is limited in supply will eventually run out, which ultimately puts any form of production that uses fuel sources that are not destroyed in place as better, no matter how it is perceived. Take this fact along with that green energy will eventually evolve to be cheaper than fossil fuels, and it is obvious that investment into green technology is a smart move. But how and why is the green energy technology market evolving and improving while the fossil fuel market is not? The answer lies in associated technologies like surge protection. (more…)

“Data surge protection” or “signal surge protection” is probably a phrase that most people in the public sphere have never heard. Even though it is pretty easy to figure out that it is the protection of data from the damage that can happen as a result of power surges, what that exactly means and how it works is a mystery to many. This is probably because power surge protection happens in the background and does not directly impact most people with any regularity. Most modern power grids are remarkably well designed and generally will see little to no fluctuation in power during a day to day period. Surge protection is all about that instance that is not planned for, however. It is about that specific time when something goes wrong, even though there has been no previous issue for a long time. When a power surge happens it is unexpected and almost instantaneous, and the damage that will occur if your equipment is unprotected is not something that can be reversed. Even worse than the loss of the equipment itself may be the data that was being stored on or within the device that was damaged. Anyone who has crashed a computer knows this pain. You trust that your files and data will always be there because they have always been there before. Then suddenly they are no longer there, and you are forced to start over. This can cause extreme difficulties for most people, and even bigger difficulties for companies that rely upon data just to function. (more…)

A commercial grade surge protection device is a component that is installed at critical junctions within an industrial space, along wires and cables that attach to equipment. Their single purpose is to stop electricity from flowing past them, and while this may be achieved using different types of technology, the concept that they function within is the same. The flow of electricity is unencumbered until it passes a specific level, at which point the surge protection device stops the flow completely. This may be done by creating a gap that the flow cannot jump, or potentially divert the flow to an area where it can dissipate safely. The main point is that the electrical flow cannot pass through them if it is not within the safe range. The reason this is necessary is that the power lines and cables that connect computerized equipment together can handle a greater flow of electricity than the equipment itself can. One may ask, “well by not make the cables and wires only able to handle the same amount that the equipment can, in order to protect it?” The answer is that rewiring an entire installation if the power lines were to burn up is far more difficult than resetting or replacing an AC surge protection device, or DC surge protection device. The surge protection devices themselves are designed to not only protect equipment but also to be able to be reset or replaced with less effort than redoing the installation itself. This enables systems to be restored to functionality in a fast and easy way, saving equipment costs and also minimizing downtimes. (more…)

Commercial grade surge protection that is utilized in industrial sites that have millions of dollars’ worth of equipment at stake is much the same as residential devices that protect your home computer. While the real differences are found in the surge protection type and technology as well as the robustness of the components in the device itself, the general way that the device functions is not very different in both applications. Think about it like this, there is water flowing down a stream that has a dam set up on it. Instead of the dam being closed in order to hold the water back, the opposite is true. The dam is wide open and allowing all of the water to flow past it without any restriction. The dam has a technological device attached to it that will close it completely if the water flow levels go above a certain point, and this device is set to perform this action instantaneously. The very second that the water goes above a certain point, the dam slams shut and cuts off the flow of water completely. Once the flow of water has returned to the safe levels, then the dam doors can be reset open and allow the water to flow. Surge protection devices work in this same way, only the water is electricity and the dam doors represent a gap or diversion that stops the electrical current. (more…)

TVSS or SPD

TVSS is an older term in the electrical surge suppression industry, which is still used by some but is more frequently referred to today as SPD, or “Surge Protective Device.” The term TVSS stands for “transient voltage surge suppressor” and was officially replaced by Underwriter’s Laboratories in the recent past. TVSS devices, which will be referred to as SPDs for the remainder of this article, are interrupters which act as a cutoff of electrical spikes and temporary surges on AC power lines. SPD installation is not only suggested but is crucial for sensitive equipment which would sustain damage if such a surge was to happen on a connected AC power line. SPDs make up the most popular and most widely used of all surge suppression equipment today. (more…)

Mobile network providers face higher equipment costs as the demands for expanded coverage areas and network speeds increase.  Customers are not only demanding faster networks, better connectivity and uptime from their network providers; they are also faster data rates and lower costs.  All of these increased capacities translate to higher expenses for operators, who must find ways to mitigate the costs by extending equipment lifetimes and eliminating risks associated with damage to the equipment on their cell towers and cell sites.  Raycap is a specialized company that engineers, produces and distributes technology that provides lightning protection and connectivity solutions for cell sites. (more…)

The protection of industrial sites from lightning is a necessary endeavor.  The equipment used for lightning protection at a typical industrial site is varied and available in different configurations depending upon the need at the site. The equipment to protect industrial sites from lightning and other electrical overvoltages in order to minimize downtime and avoid industrial equipment replacement costs.  Although the expensive and sensitive equipment that drives operations at factories and other industrial installations has an expected lifespan, the business plan will generally figure in an additional cost for replacement of components due to accidents and “less standard” occurrences such as lightning strike or other electrical damage, or theft.  One way to increase revenues retained by the business is to leverage equipment in order to minimize replacement costs and maximize the useful lifespan of equipment necessary for continuing operations.  The installation of lightning protection technology and systems from Raycap is an excellent way to leverage such assets. (more…)

Cell site surge protection is becoming increasingly important due to higher volumes of cellular traffic, 3G, 4G and LTE, and the expansion of the transmission capacities needed. Optimal equipment functionality is necessary in order to keep next generation network infrastructures up and running at all times, and must be protected from devastating natural events such as lightning.  As mobile network operators have improved levels of service to their clients through new and improved architectures, such as distributed base station architectures, featuring remote radio head (RRH) technology and the higher capacity base station units that accompany them the need to protect exposed electronics at the tops of the towers has become evident.  The ultimate goal of any mobile operator is improved network reliability and availability, and Raycap is the partner of choice for the world’s largest mobile operators.  Raycap’s superior cell site surge protection technology is powered by Strikesorb, a technology designed specifically to provide the most extensive protection to mission critical infrastructure. (more…)

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/industrial-surge-protection/

When most people think about surge protection devices the only thing that comes to mind is the surge strips that you can buy at your local hardware store, when in reality they are an important and integral aspect of modern life. Industrial surge protection not only keeps daily life for most of the world running smoothly, but also keeps some of the most evolved and high-tech products and services affordable to the masses. The place to start is probably with a definition of what a surge protection device is, and how they are employed on the industrial level. A surge protection device can take many forms, but it is essentially a piece of equipment that is installed somewhere in between a power source and a piece of equipment that is powered by that source. There are numerous methods that the surge protection device may use in order to provide the protection it is designed for. These different techniques involve diverting the flow away from the device, completely cutting off the flow or drawing the flow down. (more…)

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/industrial-surge-protection/

The risks of loss due to damage from power surges at industrial plants are far higher than residential ones, even though the same power grid will generally supply electricity to an area servicing both industrial and residential customers. The single job of an electrical system is to supply electricity to equipment and appliances that use it, in order to provide the service that the equipment is designed to provide. The main differentiation between residential and industrial customers is the level of power flow that is delivered and needed at the location. Residential customers will be familiar with the two types of plug configurations that are seen throughout their house or business, these types nearly always providing 110 or 220 levels of power. The residential space is designed to allow power flow within this range to enter the premises, the first barrier of protection is found at the circuit box. Circuits are a crude form of power protection, essentially functioning in a capacity to cut off electrical flow if it exceeds a certain range that is deemed unsafe for the wiring inside of the location. People will usually take extra levels of precaution by installing surge strips or some other form of surge protection device before their computerized equipment. This is because it is understood that the computerized equipment is more sensitive and can be damaged by even small fluctuations in power, and additionally is usually more expensive than other types of equipment. This same thought process is used on the industrial level, the differences being that the equipment is more expensive, the necessity to stay online is more critical, and the power levels that are being monitored are far higher. In a nutshell, the stakes are far higher on the industrial level than on the residential level.

Industrial surge protection equipment is designed to be more robust as well as more accurate because it is tasked with protecting systems and equipment that are doing facilitating industrial tasks rather than residential tasks inside your house. There are multiple ways that surge protectors can perform the tasks that they were designed to do, which is ultimately to prevent electricity that is outside of a specific range from reaching equipment that would be damaged buy excess electricity. These methods can generally be put into 3 different types, starting with the complete cut off of electrical flow outside of the range, the diversion of excess electricity outside of that range, or the drawdown of excess electricity. All these methods will perform the task of protecting the equipment on the other side, but each method of doing so will be most appropriate for the specific application that they are installed within. For example, if the industrial installation that is being protected provides a service that would be a major disruption to the public if it went offline, then the complete cut off of power if a surge outside of a specific range was to happen would be less than optimal. In this circumstance a drawdown of access electricity or a diversion of that electricity while allowing for continued operation within the range that is specified would be more desirable. Today’s technologically advanced surge protection devices that are performing within industrial installations can perform tasks on levels previously unseen.

All businesses are concerned about the bottom line and in exploring the potential advancements that can improve cost savings and increase profitability over time. The obvious desire to increase the top line sales may be the most visible business benefit, but there are significant improvements to be made to business operations by watching savings more carefully. This includes the extension of equipment lifespans and the reduction of equipment replacement costs.  Technological advancements which will improve equipment lifespan can be found everywhere in the advanced manufacturing technologies of today. But those that utilize circuit driven machinery within industrial applications and sites have an advantage they may be overlooking.  This advantage is the technology offered by Raycap products to provide capital (CapEx) and operational expenditure (OpEx) reductions through effective lightning surge and overvoltage protection.

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Most processor-based equipment, or that involving circuitry which can be easily damaged by electrical transients, will either build in or suggest some basic level of overvoltage protection.  Electrical “transients” are brief fluctuations in the stable electrical current that flows to a device in order to keep it powered, and many are unaware that there are not only many transients which will happen throughout the course of a day, but also that there are numerous causes for electrical transients which will produce extremely wide ranges in the variation of current, from small and temporary increases to large-scale surges which can produce extreme levels of damage.  The basic premise is to keep a consistent level of power flow at all times, while expecting and preparing for the surges which could produce damaging effects.

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Industrial surge protection for cell towers and cellular installations has special considerations due to the expenses involved with regards to the sensitive equipment necessary as well as the attraction for lightning strikes themselves which are posed by the towers.  Due to the necessary positioning of the towers in order to provide quality service as well as the materials that the towers and structures themselves are constructed from, cellular installations are direct targets for lightning strikes and must be appropriately protected as far as surges and electrical transients.  Raycap is one of the world’s leading manufacturer of surge protection equipment specialized for this purpose, and provides it’s Strikesorb technology as the best option for cellular providers. (more…)

Those familiar with the industrial surge protection industry understand the importance of the Strikesorb technology developed by Raycap for the protection of mission-critical distributed base station architectures. A cell tower is a prime target for lightning strikes simply due to the combination of height and metal in the construction, along with their often being positioned within areas that do not feature equally tall structures.  In essence, the necessary components needed to provide adequate cellular service signals also attract lightning, and the probability of a strike on or near a tower is quite good. Even if critical signaling components on top of towers or rooftops “already have built-in protection” smart operators know that it is crucial to install Raycap’s industrial strength DC surge protection systems to guard against the intense and often repetitive electrical surges that come with a lightning strike. Raycap connectivity and protection solutions for RRH networks protect the sensitive equipment within the cell site which would almost certainly be damaged by a lightning surge.  The Strikesorb technology developed by Raycap is deployed by many cellular network operators worldwide, and is recognized as the finest remote radio head (RRH) surge protection solution on the market. (more…)

Raycap is one of the world’s leading manufacturer of cable connectivity and lighting surge protection solutions for use in remote radio head (RRH) architectures. Raycap solutions are specifically designed to protect the sensitive radio equipment at the tower tops, as well as the equipment inside the ground shelters at a distributed base station (or RRH) architecture. The RRH architecture (also known as Fiber To The Antenna or FTTA solutions) is key to the development of next generation wireless networks and satisfies the industry’s need for increased capacity, advanced service offerings, and energy efficiency. This innovative architecture moves the active transmission equipment closer to the base station antennas, connecting them through fiber optic and DC power cables to the Base Band Units (BBU) which are typically located close to the DC power at the site.

Raycap offers a full complement of integrated Remote Radio Head (RRH) surge protection and connectivity solutions to enable and protect RRH architectures. These include field upgradable enclosures in a variety of sizes and capacities, cable solutions, mounting systems, boxless connectivity solutions, as well as Strikesorb®, the ultimate lightning & surge protection for the exposed RRHs. Raycap’s connectivity and power protection solutions feature optional maintenance-free Strikesorb surge protection, engineered for use in RRH architectures to protect equipment from incoming lightning currents. Worldwide, Raycap’s solutions for RRH networks have been installed at more than 250,000 wireless sites.

The next generation 5G/LTE networks, as well as 2G, 3G & 4G networks, are dependent upon distributed telecommunications architectures, which are the focus of Raycap’s RRH surge protection and cable connectivity solutions. By providing the ultimate protection to mission critical components at hard to reach locations, network assets are less vulnerable to damage from direct strikes and surge events produced by direct and coupled lightning strikes. Through mitigation of damages to the critical components, cellular carriers have the ability to lower their operational expenses through reduction of the expected replacement rates for damaged equipment, as well as maintain a more consistent and continual uptime rate for customers.  Through ongoing and continual cell site surge protection protection on mobile networks, Raycap’s systems are able to assist carriers in building their businesses more efficiently and effectively, all the while maintaining better network uptime and reliability.

Raycap draws its expertise from RRH and FTTA/PTTA projects done with some of the largest mobile operators in the world. The company can leverage an unprecedented expertise both at the design phase and throughout the life-cycle of the infrastructure and knows the key drivers of a successful FTTA/PTTA network roll-out. Raycap offers a combination of field-proven products to support any site scenario. Customization of existing products or fully custom new product development is available, depending upon an operator’s needs. Strikesorb systems are safer and far superior to conventional protection technologies for mission-critical architectures such as RRH and are the preferred protection device chosen by the largest mobile carriers and providers worldwide.

Surge Protection Special Devices

Industrial businesses rely upon the ability to function in a variety of harsh circumstances in order to maintain their ongoing ability to generate revenue.  Industrial business components are often manufactured with higher tolerances based on the need for a functionality that exceeds the typical requirements found in residential types of applications. All in all, industrial equipment must be more robust  because it is installed into harsher, more exposed environments that would typically damage less hardened  components.  Industrial equipment is required to function under conditions that are far more difficult than what is asked of most of the commercial equipment that we interact with on a daily basis.  Therefore the types of components found in industrial equipment and machinery, while being tougher than residential grade equipment, are also expected to be exposed to a variety of unforeseen circumstances that can also bring about damage.  We will often see these types of unforeseen things happening in a variety of ways, ranging from theft and vandalism due to the fact that industrial spaces are less populated than others, to damage as a result of weather because industrial equipment is often more exposed.  Either way, protection against the unforeseen is necessary in order to maintain the ongoing operations of the businesses as well as protect the bottom line as much as is possible. (more…)

Protection of the sensitive equipment involved in the routine operations of industrial sites is paramount in order to avoid costly repairs, replacement delays and crucial data loss.  The fragile circuitry that functions within that equipment not only keeps the larger machinery online and functioning correctly, but also prevents even greater losses due to potential damage to less sensitive equipment through malfunction.  In essence, the computers, microprocessors and circuit-driven devices are the heart of the industrial site, and they must be protected against damage of any kind in order to ensure smooth operations.  Aside from the obvious potentials of theft and natural disasters, electrical overvoltage and power surges are the largest threat to the operations of most industrial sites, and unfortunately this fact is not understood by all owners and managers until it is too late and an accident has occurred.  Raycap is in the business of preventing accidents through surge suppression protection, and protection of your installation against these threats is our number one priority. (more…)

Industrial sites and factories that house industrial control equipment are often the unfortunate recipients of electrical overvoltage events caused by power surges and equipment switching errors.  As well, industrial sites are often in danger of being struck by lightning.  In addition to the obvious issues that come with a lightning strike, the volume of consumed electricity that is necessary to keep most industrial applications online makes them especially susceptible to electricity-related damage.  In order to minimize the damage to equipment caused by electrical surges, it is crucial to create a redundant electrical protection system for industrial sites. (more…)

Surge suppression devices are the single best method of protecting equipment from electrical surges and overvoltage events.  Anyone with a computer or television understands the damaging effects of power surges on any equipment which contains circuitry, as a power surge to the home has the ability to easily knock equipment offline and destroy internal components that are only able to handle a limited amount of electrical current.  The exact same premise applies to industrial applications and sites, the only real difference is that the stakes are exponentially higher with far greater potentials for both damage and losses in industrial environments.  An electrical surge to a private residence can cause thousands of dollars in lost data and equipment failure, and an electrical surge to an industrial site can cause millions, let alone the risk of fire and other dangers.  The number one rule with regard to electrical surges is to avoid them if possible, and suppress them if necessary.  Raycap is a world leading manufacturer of surge suppression devices and systems designed to protect industrial sites from electrical surges and overvoltage. (more…)

Raycap holds the distinction of being recognized as a world leader in the production and manufacture of overvoltage protection components and systems, designed for industrial applications.  The patented Strikesorb SPD technology allows for previously unmatched levels of protection from electrical damage to sensitive equipment like microprocessors and computers.  Overvoltage events can cripple any equipment connected directly to an electrical grid without interruption equipment installed, being produced through a variety of accidents which can cause surges.  These surges are immediate increases in the levels of electricity flowing from the source to the components, and are generally the result of lightning, switching errors, operator error or malfunction.  Raycap’s Strikesorb line of products acts as a barrier between equipment and electrical overvoltage levels, in order to instantly divert electrical current away from potentially damaged components if the critical level is exceeded. (more…)

The cellular network that our cellphones connect to in order to allow us to have conversations, surf the internet and download media is reliant on towers to make these activities possible. This means that the coverage areas that your network provider is discussing in their marketing materials is based upon overlap between towers, and the ability of your phone to find a signal from a tower nearby. Your signal is weak if the closest tower is far away or obstructed, and it is cut off if there is no tower within range. Complete coverage means placing enough towers in the general vicinity of users to not have gaps, no matter where they go. Each tower is responsible for a portion of that area, and if that tower was to be rendered offline, then the other towers in the vicinity would have to take up the slack. Network providers rely upon equipment placed within these towers to make the functionality of coverage happen, with the RRH (remote radio head) being placed at the tower top and the BSU (base station unit) equipment being placed either at the bottom or outside of the tower itself. The units are connected through the power cables and data transfer lines that run between them. These same lines are responsible for one of the greatest weaknesses that exists within the cellular tower. That weakness is that events resulting in damage to the equipment at the top of a tower will generally also damage equipment at the bottom. (more…)

Cellular networks are comprised of single cell towers covering areas with their signal, overlapping into as close to complete coverage for users as possible. Every cell user has experienced the “dropped call” or the lack of bars that illustrates a weak signal. These issues cause a poor user experience, and cell phone carriers are continually fighting the battle to improve the customer experience through more robust signals and greater connectivity. This means creating not only a network of towers that will provide as close to complete coverage without gaps as possible, but additionally the redundancy of a single tower which might be rendered offline should be compensated for by the surrounding towers. These issues are common, and as a result customers will move between carriers seeking a better experience for lower prices. This is where technology outside of the common equipment used in the process comes into play. (more…)

The concept of surge protection is relatively simple, but the technology that ultimately creates effectiveness within the defined parameters of these devices is continually evolving. “Surge protection devices” serve a single function, to prevent electrical flow beyond a specific measured amount from moving past the device itself and impacting the circuitry, wiring or internal components of equipment that is connected downstream. The electrical flow that is being monitored is generally moving along wiring or cables of some type that connect computerized devices together, or attach them to a source of power. These devices have a threshold of electrical power that cannot be crossed without component damage, resulting in the necessity of these components to be protected from any amount of electrical flow beyond that specific amount. The effectiveness of the device tasked with this prevention is measured in a few ways, mostly being seen in the completeness of cutoff or diversion of the electrical flow, the speed with which it is stopped, and the amount of time that it takes to re-establish the “functional” status of after the instance of an electrical surge. The most effective surge protection devices are going to be the ones that not only cut off the electrical flow instantaneously, but also remain in a protective state even after this happens. Over the years, technological advancements in the makeup of the devices have improved effectiveness dramatically, resulting in the ability to utilize increasingly sophisticated and expensive equipment without the routine damage or degradation of functionality that was expected in the past. Surge protection devices are extending the useful life spans of nearly everything they protect. (more…)

For most consumers surge protection is an afterthought that is only considered as a way of protecting their home computer equipment in the event of a large scale power surge. In many cases, this is a very rare occasion that may never be noticed more than some flickering lights, but in some areas these power surges will have a degrading effect on computers if they are allowed to run continually. Some communities have power grids that will have more common surge issues that may not be enough to completely trip the breakers in a home, or cut off the power flow through a surge strip. But even these minor fluctuations in flow can have the effect of shortening the life span of circuit driven equipment. In many people’s minds, the investment into expensive surge protection devices to keep a component safe that will ultimately be replaced within only a few years does not justify the added costs. While this economic decision does make sense, the situation cannot be compared to industrial installations when considering whether to add surge protection, and in these cases it is not only necessary but it may be critical. (more…)

Surge Suppression

Electrical surges are well known to be one of the largest sources of damage to sensitive equipment like microprocessors, computers, circuits and other items that are directly connected to an electrical power source. Household surge protectors are devices used as power strips that work as a method of plugging several household items into a single device but will also trigger a circuit break if there is a power surge, thus protecting any equipment attached from potential loss.  Less people are aware of industrial surge suppression systems and devices like those manufactured and produced by Raycap, one of the world’s leading electrical protection companies. Raycap’s business is to manufacture individual components and complete systems that provide protection from electrical surges and overvoltage on an industrial level, working to prevent damage to mission critical equipment worth millions of dollars. Needless to say, simple household surge suppressors are not the type of protection we are discussing.

Raycap manufactures several product lines designed to provide industrial level electricity protection from a variety of causes and sources. While their Strikesorb and Rayvoss lines are not the only protection devices that are utilized within industrial system installations, they are an extremely effective solution for protection devices put into place at the front line conductor entry point locations, protecting both the equipment and the panel boards feeding the equipment.  These devices are specifically designed to eliminate electrical power surges from coming into the facility.  Both the device and the correct installation point are crucial for leveraging maximum efficiency and protection against the wide variety of electrical spikes.  Raycap products have been designed and tested against different surge currents and have proven time and time again to be among the finest on the market.

The different causes of electrical transients require different levels or tiers of surge suppression devices in order to effectively prevent the surge from reaching equipment inside an industrial site.  For optimum protection the National Electrical Code recommends a tiered approach of surge protection, placing the high capacity surge suppression devices at service entrances followed by surge suppressors installed at branch panels and downstream. Residual voltage which is the amount of transient voltage that will remain on an AC line after a surge suppressor has functioned can still be extreme enough to cause significant damage downstream. A second and even third level of surge protection is needed in order to provide clean voltage to sensitive equipment.

When lightning strikes many times it is multi-stroke in nature, meaning that a single flash will contain four or even more strokes.  Lightning strikes to power lines that are directly connected to equipment will produce surges of massive levels which can not only destroy circuitry but additionally cause fires within industrial facilities and compound the levels of damage.  Even lighting strikes to buildings and structures can couple into power lines which are attached to equipment and must have protection systems designed specifically for coupled strikes in place. While a direct strike to equipment is almost assured to cause damage beyond the level of repair, a tiered diversion system consisting of first overhead shields and lightning rods, then high capacity line side and load side surge protection to all conductor entry points, critical panels, and downstream equipment is the best possible plan to protect an entire industrial facility.

Raycap systems for surge suppression will assist your facility in remaining as unaffected by power surges and overvoltage events as possible.  Contact us today to find out more.

Overvoltage Protection

Raycap is a leading designer and manufacturer of electrical overvoltage protection devices and systems for use within industrial sites. The protection systems developed by Raycap use industrial-grade components, such as the patented Strikesorb SPD technology, which enable unmatched levels of protection of critical, sensitive equipment within the industrial site. This vulnerable equipment, such as computers, microprocessors and other devices powered through the electrical grid would be damaged by lightning strikes and other overvoltage events which produce power surges coming from the electrical grid or from inside the industrial facility itself.  The protection technology inside of Raycap’s products prevents damage occurring from varying overvoltage and surge causes, and is designed to prevent any electrical surges from coming into contact with equipment. (more…)

Electrical Protection

Raycap is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of electrical protection devices. Its electrical protection systems are designed to provide the finest protection available for industrial equipment and sites.  Electrical protection comes in numerous forms to divert the damage from specific electrical events, and the combination of these mechanisms into systems is the best way to provide complete protection from electrical surges. (more…)

Protection From Lightning On Industrial Sites

The protection of industrial sites from lightning strikes and the surge damage that occurs as a result is important in order for companies to reduce the amount of losses absorbed over time.  There are two types of degradation losses as a result of surge instances that occur and effect sensitive equipment and data, causing gradual degradation due to surges at shutoff and startup, and instant damage and loss as a result of large power surges, generally as a result of lightning strikes.  The ongoing damage to equipment as a result of the switching surges is mitigated through the use of specific protection equipment, and the protection from lightning is achieved by using several methods and types of equipment designed specifically for the purpose.  Lightning losses are as a result of damage to computer components and programmable logic controls or microprocessors from the physical or the data loss standpoint.  Raycap is a leading manufacturer of systems designed to mitigate lightning losses of both kinds. (more…)

TVSS For Electrical Protection

The term TVSS has been in use for years, being a shortened version of “transient voltage surge suppressor.” Raycap is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of TVSS devices, or Surge Protective Devices (SPDs), used throughout industrial sites to protect sensitive equipment from power surge damage and data loss.  Electrical surges on AC power lines can be caused by several different events, all with varying degrees of damage as a result.  In the case of lightning surges where spikes of over 50,000V routinely happen, Strikesorb TVSS equipment installed before and after the point of strike has the ability to minimize loss from the lightning surge.  TVSS equipment also mitigates the damage from minor spikes or surges or “electrical transients” caused by the switching on and off of equipment.   (more…)

What Is TVSS?

TVSS is the industry term for a “transient voltage surge suppressor”. This term is still in use however it has been officially replaced by Underwriter’s Laboratories with the term “Surge Protective Device” or (SPD).  TVSS are devices that act as a cutoff in the case of a momentary spike or surge of electrical power on an AC line.  The installation of TVSS (SPDs) is crucial to the protection of sensitive equipment that can be damaged by electrical surges on AC lines; and of the data that might be destroyed if such spikes  happen.  TVSS devices (SPDs) are the most popular type of surge suppression equipment in use today. (more…)

Industrial Protection From Lightning

Raycap is a world-leader in the manufacture of equipment and products that provide industrial protection from lightning. There are hundreds of thousands of industrial sites in the United States alone that are highly susceptible to a lightning strike at any time, all of which are at risk of costly losses due to the electric surges that result. These losses will generally come in the form of damage to high tech equipment or data loss due to that damage, as seen in the failures of fragile components inside computers, programmable logic controls (PLC) or microprocessors, all of which are heavily used in the automation processes of industrial sites. The protection that can be provided by the addition of Raycap products to both existing and new sites can potentially save millions of dollars in a single incident, and while direct strikes are rare, the potential for damage exists 24 hours per day. (more…)

Industrial Lightning Protection

A lightning strike is one of the most costly and damaging incidents that can happen to factory equipment, damaging high-tech electronic equipment like computers, microprocessors and programmable logic controls (PLCs) used to automate manufacturing systems at industrial sites. Although rare, lightning strikes cause large electrical surges that have the potential to cause catastrophic failures and process interruptions, bringing the necessity of industrial lightning protection into the planning of any industrial site. Industrial grade surge protective devices like Raycap’s Strikesorb and Rayvoss products are the only real solutions for serious protection of equipment from these overvoltage situations. If equipment goes unprotected, even a single unfortunate incident can cost millions in damage. (more…)

Today’s industrial and professional systems in place within industrial businesses depend upon microprocessors and other forms of sensitive electronic equipment.  This means that nearly every aspect of our lives is more dependent upon having higher levels of protection from electrical surges than ever.  The logic controls and embedded microprocessors, as well as computers and other devices all utilize electronic circuitry in the automation process.  Motor speed and machine programming as well as tool changes within the sophisticated manufacturing systems of today’s industrial businesses are especially vulnerable to voltage transients caused within the system.  Power surges wreak havoc on processes causing high cost interruptions and catastrophic failures, as well as creating premature aging of computerized equipment.  By using industrial surge protection devices, industrial processes and manufacturers can mitigate the ongoing problems and disruptions caused by surge events.

There are multiple types of surge events which are externally generated, ranging from transformer failures to lightning strikes and downed trees on power lines.  These problems present themselves at random times over and above the damage that is caused internally by equipment in the network.  Overvoltage events that are created by the utilities themselves as well as power fluctuations which are created by machinery operating in other areas of the same facility will all have an adverse effect on both the machinery and processes themselves, as well as the productivity.  Facility-wide surge protection must be in place at all stages of the electrical distribution system, ranging from single-phase loads all the way to the electrical service entrance.  Only industrial grade surge protection devices are acceptable solutions to mitigating the issues created by these surge events.

Lightning strikes can happen either directly to the equipment or locally to the power lines which are connected to the equipment operating inside of the facility.  The direct strike is a rare occurrence but will cause extensive damage if not properly protected against.  Direct lightning strikes on high voltage lines as well as other metallic structures are mitigated using grounding air terminals and shielding above the structures.  This type of protection does not remove the risks associated with lightning surge damage which happens down line, nor does it helped to reduce the severity of damage when it does happen.  Local strikes damage equipment by creating the massive power surge which then uses power lines to enter into buildings and overwhelm equipment downstream.  Equipment damage of this type can happen as a result of lightning strikes that occurred not only outside of the facility but miles away.  Therefore surge protection devices should be installed as close to the equipment as possible for optimal operation.  There are many different types of events which can create power surges, all having the same types of damaging effects on the systems that are relied upon within any businesses.  Through the installation of technologically advanced surge protection devices which are manufactured to handle industrial grade loads, business can maintain a more stable schedule as well see equipment life span extension.

The cellular service provider industry is easily one of the most competitive landscapes on the planet.  This is due to the perception that the products and services that are being offered are pretty much the same from all providers.  This isn’t true obviously, but the public perceives it to be so in many cases. Cellular users will judge their service separately from their device, feeling that the device itself is the connectivity mechanism that provides them with the ability to make calls as well as receive or transfer data.  They perceive the provider that they are paying as being the company that simply provides their ability to connect, and as a result most consumers will view their own provider in harsh terms when they are unsatisfied by the service connection they receive.  At any point when a user decides to make a call or connect to the internet, they expect immediate service.  When they download information or stream video, they expect no buffering and no interruptions.  Most will not think about their service when they are not unhappy and begin questioning the value of their service provider only when connectivity issues arise or prices go up.  Customers moving from one carrier to another presents a problem for the carriers, as winning back a customer is far more difficult than gaining that customers in the first place.  This is why the most competitive players within these industries invest heavily into surge protection equipment and radio frequency signal protection.  Because of natural events such as lightning strikes – that are unavoidable – cellular providers will bear the brunt of customer dissatisfaction.  In order to maintain the strongest signals and the longest up times, carriers must avoid the situations they know will cause downtimes and service disruptions. They must avoid the damage that comes as a result of lightning strikes.

Radio frequency signal protection comprises a system of devices that enable ongoing communication to happen between the base station unit and remote radio heads at the top of the cellular tower, rooftop or other structure.  The signal that connects a user on the ground with the network and its clarity or strength is determined by many factors including number and type of equipment in the system, as well as maintaining the ongoing communication abilities between the top and bottom of the tower.  These radio frequencies that played a critical role in the service that the customer is judging can be interrupted or knocked out completely by lightning strikes to the connection cables or to the equipment itself.  The components via power cables are also affected, and they also provide an easy path for transients to reach the equipment further up or downstream.  Even though coaxial data lines are not able to handle the level of electricity that power lines are, their direct connection to the equipment itself provides problematic with regard to signal interruption and data loss.  Interruptions caused by any number of natural events will weigh heavily on the customer base as they expect flawless service.  Through radio frequency signal protection, small and compact devices are installed into the system which will not only mitigate the flow of transients, but also stop electromagnetic pulse disruptions.  Through the installation of technologically advanced RF protection, the competitive advantage is given to those who understand that prevention is just as important as expansion.

Most people who are casual users of cellular technology only have a basic understanding of how their calls are connected.  They understand that you must have a strong signal as a result of being somewhere in the vicinity of the cellular tower as well as have that signal be able to be received by the tower effectively.  In order to receive a stronger signal, people understand that they may need to move to a different place which would provide an unobstructed path from the device in their hand to the tower, or at least the best situation possible.  Connectivity issues are one of the biggest concerns for  cellular users, and dropped calls as a result of interrupted signal receipt is also one of the primary concerns.  With the ever-evolving consumption of data as a result of new features built into devices such as aps, streaming services and downloads of video, consumers demand even more from cellular providers in order to maintain high satisfaction rates.  Most consumers have little sympathy for their carrier of choice when it comes to the normal events that can potentially impact connectivity.  They only know that they can or cannot connect, or that their calls drop.  Dissatisfaction rates are one of the leading causes of cellular customer loss, and the protection of the customer base through the providing of uninterrupted signals is the primary concern of every cellular provider.  This is why most providers will factor in a significant amount of RF protection, even though it is something that almost no consumer has ever heard of.

“RF protection” is an industry term used to describe the sequences of protective devices which have been installed in order to protect radio frequencies.  The communication between the base station unit and the remote radio head within most cell towers is the nerve center that must be unfettered in order to maintain customer satisfaction.  These devices are connected through hybrid lines as well as standard power lines, and a lightning strike directly nearby any of these lines can cause a significant amount of damage to the equipment involved, trickling down to a lower customer satisfaction rate.  Because data lines are directly connected to the equipment which processes data, losses can go far beyond just the lack of service.  Data loss issues will cause significant customer unhappiness and can pose an almost insurmountable difficulty for cellular providers to deal with.  Through both standard damage to equipment as a result of a power surge by lightning strike as well as electromagnetic pulse disruptions, which create rises in electric fields, costs associated with a single lightning strike can be large.  These pulses can easily knock out critical communications capabilities within networks if antenna and radios are left unprotected. RF protection equipment installed at critical junctions within the cell tower systems can create both a happier customer base as well as a better competitive advantage for the provider.

Strikesorb Surge Protective Devices – Technology

Introduction

There are several manufacturers of Surge Protective Devices (SPD) worldwide, sharing a global market that is expected to exceed US$2.4 billion by 2020, driven by the global need to protect sensitive electronic equipment from power fluctuations. The overwhelming majority of the SPD manufacturers use the same technologies – developed some 30 years ago – to protect today’s sophisticated electronic equipment. Their approach to surge suppression relies on using a multitude of bulk produced, commercial quality, low surge current rated metal oxide varistors (MOV) or silicon avalanche diodes (SAD) originally developed for electronic printed circuit board (PCB) applications. (more…)

Future-Proofing Your Remote Radio Head Networks

For mobile operators to remain competitive they must find ways to quickly deploy remote radio head networks to meet their service offering expansion targets before their competitors do.
To make ready for the explosion of mobile traffic, mobile operators are making infrastructure changes to support an ever-increasing consumer appetite for media rich services. They are building new or retrofitting existing wireless networks that will accommodate expanded capacity to support future growth and enable the deployment of next generation networks. While operators are working to make these improvements, they must also manage capital expenditures and balance rising operational costs to ensure their competitiveness in a fast-changing, high-stakes industry. (more…)

The need for industrial surge protection

Today’s industrial and professional equipment is dependent upon microprocessors and other sensitive electronic equipment, increasing the world’s need for greater protection from electrical surges. Embedded microprocessors, computers, programmable logic controls (PLCs) and other electronic circuitry that is used to automate industrial machine programming, tool changes, motor speed and other processes within sophisticated manufacturing systems is especially vulnerable. At industrial sites, power surges wreak havoc on equipment, causing catastrophic failures, interrupting processes and causing equipment to prematurely age, leading to failure. However by deploying industrial surge protection, manufacturers can mitigate potential problems and keep their equipment and the related processes up and running reliably without disruption or damage due to surge-related events. (more…)

Industrial Surge Protection Devices

Industrial installations and facilities rely upon unique combinations of equipment, geographic locations and protection systems in order to operate to their fullest extent. Weaknesses in protection systems can and will result in losses to the business realized as added operational costs and lost customers, as these things go hand in hand in many cases. The ongoing operations of the facility might create a specific number of products or services that are utilized by the public or private sector, and the pricing of these products and services is tied directly to the amounts that can be produced within a time frame.  Outages or stoppages within the facility can create situations where projections are missed or services are interrupted, resulting in higher costs or lost customers. When combined with the necessity to restore functionality, equipment repair costs and lost productivity hours, business margins typically shrink every year. The competitive landscape in nearly every business sector demands the reduction of operational costs as much as possible, and weakening of  any systems due to weather events are a major contributing factor that must be addressed. (more…)

Improved Surge Protection Devices For Telecom Systems

Telecommunications systems rely upon a relatively simple concept for connection that is unbelievably complex to achieve. A user holds a device and interacts with it in order to send or receive data. That device sends or receives the signal from a cell tower that is within range, connecting them to a network allowing other users to send or receive data in the same way. The strength of the signal from the tower is what dictates the clarity of the calls or the speed with which data transfers. If you are out of range of a tower, you receive no signal and are not connected to the network. Major cell networks work very hard to create complete coverage areas in places where customers are, ultimately positioning themselves as superior to their competition by their coverage areas and the  speed of the network itself to transfer data. While this seems straight forward, the process is actually problematic in a way that is difficult to avoid, those pitfalls coming in the form of nature. The cell tower itself is a magnet for lightning strikes because it is tall and made of materials that will attract lightning. The cell tower also holds the equipment that is necessary for users to connect their device to the network. A lighting strike to a cellular tower has the potential to render the system offline just with a strikes to that particular tower, and it also poses problems by creating millions of dollars’ worth of damage that need  to be repaired before the tower can be returned to functionality. This threat exists for all cell towers worldwide. (more…)

Green energy production is an evolving industry. For many years, the methods used to produce electricity for public consumption remained relatively unchanged, extracting fossil fuels from the earth and burning them in order to move turbines. The movement within these turbines generates electricity which is able to be harnessed and stored, then supplied to individual consumers through a grid system.  While there have been technological improvements over the years to the power grids themselves, as well as to the storage and transport mechanisms, the method of creation has lagged technologically. Instead of moving towards alternative methods of moving the turbines themselves, industry has experimented with alternative fossil fuels, simply concentrating on getting the most energy produced by the burned fuel system. Even though it is common knowledge that there are methods that can move the turbines just as effectively without burning a fuel source, cost hindered the development and advancement of these industries. Due to the fact that the energy production industries are for-profit businesses, their interest is creating the product as cheaply as possible within any regulations that exist. Regulations will almost always center on the negative by-products of the process, so industries find that it is cheaper to lobby for removal of the regulations than it is to develop alternative processes. The green energy methods have existed for many years, but have never been fully adopted by the major players in the market simply because it was always cheaper to use fossil fuels, even though there are negative side effects. Technology will advance even if there is not widespread adoption, and although it has taken significantly longer than it would have with major support, we are finally entering a time period where the major industries will more fully support green technology simply because it makes good business sense. Green energy production is finally hitting a point where it is both cleaner and cheaper.

The major factors that were hindering the adoption of green technologies were costs due to necessary repairs to equipment. The technological processes used in wind and solar energy production rely upon computerized equipment that is continually in harm’s way, due to the fact that it is positioned in the field and exposed to hazards like lightning strikes. In wind turbines, the physical makeup of the structure that is necessary in order to achieve maximum efficiency also makes them a prime target for lightning. The wind turbines sit in remote and unobstructed areas where wind flow will be maximized, and they are generally the tallest structure in that vicinity. Lightning strikes to the blades are common as a result, and the surge of power that follows a lightning strike will produce damage to equipment that is connected to the structure. As a result, a lightning strike to a wind turbine not only destroys the blades, but also destroys the computer equipment attached to it. These costs are being reduced through the evolution of more technologically advanced surge protection devices, lowering the costs of production as a result. Surge protection devices are developed for the purpose of reducing surge related damage to equipment in all industries, so the technological evolution of the devices is not tied to adoption by one industry. The more advanced and efficient these surge protection devices become, the more they can be used to bring down the prices of green energy, ultimately forcing the fossil fuel production methods to be reconsidered in favor of the less expensive methods. Surge protection is a key to the future of the climate, and casual observers probably do not even realize it.

Photovoltaic Surge Protection

Solar panels need surge protection as well as overhead protection from lightning.  Photovoltaic systems that produce energy through the conversion of sunlight in both the residential and industrial markets are susceptible to damage as a result of lightning strikes.  These strikes can be both direct and indirect and still cause significant amount of damage to system components.  The main reason behind this susceptibility is physical makeup of the panels.  They are large and flat and have fully exposed surfaces, and additionally they are located geographically in unobstructed areas that are many times remote. (more…)

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/industrial-surge-protection/

You may think that the damage that is caused by lightning strike to an industrial business will be seen in the form of fire or explosion at the point where the lightning hits something. In reality, damage that is significant is rarely seen in this form due the fact that most businesses will provide overhead shielding or other forms of protection positioned above the structures.  These protection forms attract the lightning to strike them instead of the structures that they are positioned above.  This will allow for the effective mitigation of the surge is associated with a lightning strike, as well as draw the damage associated with the strike itself to be localized.  (more…)

So called “new” or “renewable” energy methods such as wind power and solar power have long been looked to as hopeful alternatives to the pollution of fossil fuels and representing a better the future for the planet. Even if you do not believe that climate change is manmade, it is undeniable that burning fossil fuels pollutes our environment. There are few that would ever try to argue that pollution is better than no pollution, and ultimately the discussion about fossil fuels vs alternatives like wind power come down to economics. Opponents of wind technology cite as their argument that wind turbines are a blight upon the landscape, and also that they cannot produce enough electricity on their  own to replace the fossil fuel systems that service our major cities, and other cities around the globe. They also often state that wind is a more expensive technology to run, that produces the same product, ultimately making the argument rest on the listener to decide  if a certain amount of pollution is worth the cost savings. Because fossil fuel systems produce power less expensively than wind does, those that are money-conscious will many times vote to support the system that will be cheapest, as long as they cannot readily see the consequences in front of them. Their opinion is often swayed by arguments against wind technology development that are being put forth by the fossil fuel companies themselves. If it is not harming you right now they think, then it is better to pay less money for the product. This entire argument would fall apart if wind power could fill all the existing demands and also be a cheaper way to produce the product. That day is coming soon. (more…)

Today’s world is an interconnected one, and highly technologically advanced systems interact with our daily lives almost constantly.  Each year, statistics show that people are more reliant upon their phones and wireless devices to conduct their business, even if that business is as simple as using a search engine to answer simple questions about home improvements.  We are continually exposed to information that is housed on computers and data centers elsewhere, and our access to this information is one of the main reasons that modern life is considered easier than the past.  Access to knowledge is the greatest accomplishment of modern man. (more…)

The world of industrial surge protection has gone through many changes over the years, essentially evolving as technology, demand and needs increased. It has generally been the technological advances that are discovered and enhanced by private companies that propel the next levels of protection, creating better quality products also led by the need to push margins lower. The industrial surge protection devices that are employed by major companies in their applications are the ones that can save the operations most through superior performance. In industries where loss expectations have a direct correlation to profitability, any way to reduce those expected operating losses contributes to the bottom line. This is the reason for the ever evolving surge protection device industry, and it is why the best technology will always be the one most in demand. (more…)

To say that the telecommunications industry is competitive is an understatement. The telecom companies have been fighting a battle for customers over the last 25 years that rivals the airline industry. The increasing expectations of customers of higher levels of capacity, wider areas of coverage, faster download speeds and cheaper monthly prices have driven the telecom giants to make attempts to shave costs nearly everywhere. In today’s environment, they need to produce more satisfaction from customers using less machinery and more technology support than ever before, and this is no easy task. As performance demands from the public increase, so do the costs of the technologically advanced equipment necessary to the process. Equipment that becomes outdated is being replaced by equipment that now costs hundreds of millions, and telecom companies have no choice but to invest in order to stay competitive. If you are not offering the latest “data-hungry” options to your customers, as well as nearly instantaneous download speeds and uninterrupted coverage, they will simply move over to the nearest competitor who will give it to them. Customers within the cellular space are only as loyal to their company as their latest billing cycle. (more…)

Green technologies are changing the world, essentially by making electricity more available to consumers while impacting the environment less. The general discussion points around green technology is its ability to generate the same power products without the necessity of burning fossil fuels in order to accomplish that task. This reduces the amount of pollutants that impact our bodies and the environment, while allowing us to turn the lights on and off without noticing any difference. There is no “better electricity” that is being manufactured using green technology, and instead the improvement to the world is that it being created in a cleaner way. This has caused much debate in society, as some people see the importance of cleaner production methods while others do not see it as being an issue. The main argument between the two groups is that the cleaner products generally come at a higher production cost, and most people who do not see the older methods as problematic are not willing to pay more for a cleaner method. Few are trying to argue that the burning of fossil fuels is superior in that it is cleaner, and instead they argue its superiority based on cost. If they cannot directly see the impact to the environment, they feel they cannot justify the cost. (more…)

When a discussion of “industrial surge protection” happens, the majority of people who are not involved in the decision making process for large production facilities will probably not understand the critical nature of the industry. The term “industrial” is used to describe a wide variety of installations, generally having some characteristics that are common but for the most part simply meaning “beyond the scope of residential.” Industrial facilities must always be protected, whether they range from light industrial to large installations of equipment designed to work in unison in order to produce or manage a product or service. Products or services beign manufactured can range from the production of electricity for residential use to the production of a simple consumer product, but nearly every industrial facility tends to have the same weaknesses and strengths. The isolated nature of the facilities themselves make them less of a nuisance and irritation to communities, as well as allowing them to function in a way more conducive to the production of products. The larger consumption levels of power and materials allows them to produce products at larger capacities, thus driving costs lower and making prices more affordable. The larger scope of equipment and machinery involved allows the capacities necessary for these increased production levels to be met. They are bigger, more isolated, more exposed to the elements and involve more expensive equipment than anything that most people will ever come in contact with. All of these strengths are also weaknesses if not properly protected. (more…)

A lightning strike causes a significant amount of damage to nearly anything it hits. Most people have seen pictures or videos of the damage that is caused in the area that the strike happens, generally resulting in explosion and fire, and most times resulting in the destruction of the thing that is struck. In order to prevent lightning from striking structures that are known to be vulnerable due to their physical makeup and positioning, precautionary measures like the installation of nearby lightning rods and overhead shields is usually the consideration. The main idea is to divert the lightning away from the structure that would be damaged by the strike, and to a different area that would see less costly damage. Lightning always travels to earth, so the methods of diverting lightning strikes involve positioning these protection mechanisms away from expensive equipment and connected to the ground. Hopefully, the lightning will be attracted to them instead of the more expensive structure in the event of bad weather. (more…)

Surge Protection Is Critical For Industrial Installations

Most businesses will face challenges to operations that will increase costs and potentially stretch the profitability thinner than is comfortable.  For this reason, one of the ongoing tasks of most businesses is to try and discover ways to reduce costs and improve functionality at the same time.  This is usually approached through the integration of better technology or improved robustness of the equipment involved in the process.  Through the integration of improved equipment comes the reduction of not only costs of repair but also costs associated with ongoing maintenance.  As an example, the system which shuts down in order to protect itself against damage will suffer loss at the downtime and would be better served if it were able to immediately restore itself to functionality after the incident that caused the shutdown had passed.  This would not only produce less damage to equipment but also reduce the costs associated with the restoration of functionality.  Even small percentages of cost reduction can have a huge effect on the bottom line over time, so it is important for businesses to be continually aware of any new and improved capabilities that might be at their disposal. (more…)

Surge Protection For Vulnerable Businesses

Industrial businesses often have unique issues that make conducting day to day operations more challenging than a typical situation.  The majority of businesses will operate in a way that utilizes specific types of equipment to perform necessary functions.  This equipment will be housed in protected spaces that ultimately allow for it to remain operational for as long as the equipment can usually remain functional.  This means that through only minimal efforts to potentially protect sensitive equipment, it can operate without too many issues for around as long as is expected before it wears out.  Industrial businesses are generally located in either challenging circumstances and areas, or are being forced to operate on a level that far exceeds the typical residential types of functionality.  For example, heavy machinery would be able to perform far larger tasks than any type of equipment to be used in your home.  In industrial installation, the amounts of electricity and other forms of fuel for operations would be far greater than anything used in lesser circumstances.  This equipment is also forced to function in harsher environments that may be unprotected or less than optimal.  This may be because the type of business requires isolation from the public, or it could be because the business needs to operate closer to some source of fuel.  Whenever the circumstance, industrial businesses operate at higher levels and the equipment that is required for these operations needs to be more robust in order to perform the tasks necessary.  That being said, industrial businesses also have the need for extra measures of protection in order to not only protect the equipment but also to keep the businesses online and functioning during the most extreme circumstances. (more…)

Protection From Lightning On Industrial Levels

The protection of industrial sites from lightning and lightning strikes in general is critical.  A typical industrial site will employ some form of lightning protection, although the equipment that is used for this process will vary depending on the specific needs of the installation itself.  These protection systems all share the same purpose, to reduce the repair and replacement costs associated with equipment damage as well as minimizing down times of the systems themselves.  Even though the expected life span of equipment in the field will have specifics attached to it, most industrial operators will also factor in additional costs for repair and maintenance or potentially early retirement due to equipment being rendered unable to perform the duties that are necessary.  This is because the operation of even the most robust equipment in industrial settings will often perform at less than the life span that is expected.  By maximizing the amount of time that a specific piece of equipment can be maintained as operational, the business will be able to add to the bottom line by shaving dollars off the capital expenditure budget.

One of the most damaging occurrences that can happen in industrial settings is a direct or indirect lightning strike.  This type of incident will usually result in a catastrophic loss of equipment at the strike point, as well as a significant amount of loss downstream to attached components.  Even an indirect strike can result in significant amounts of losses due to the fact that the subsequent surge of electricity can couple into structural elements as well as attached cables, traveling downstream and creating damage at the circuit level on computerized equipment.  There are several methods of protection against this type of damage, and some combination of the protection methods is generally employed.  Overhead shielding attracts the lightning strike to itself instead of the more sensitive areas where it cannot be controlled, thus resulting in a lightning strike to an area that does not have a major impact on the equipment functioning within the region.  The other form of protection methods that we will see most often employed is the utilization of surge protection devices installed at critical junction points within the system.  The expectation of near total loss at the strike point will not be changed by the integration of these types of devices, but the minimization of the downstream surge effect is the point.  By separating the types of damage that can occur and directly dealing with prevention methods designed for that particular type and level of damage, we can leverage the technology that is at our disposal in order to maximize our return on the investment that has been made in operational equipment.  Even though there is added expense that is absorbed by the business when additional equipment is installed into the system for the sole purpose of protection, it is inevitable that this protective system will pay for itself in savings over the course of a certain period of time.  As technology within these systems improves, we see the maintenance and replacement costs associated with the protection systems themselves also improving.  All of this adds to the profitability of businesses.

More info link: https://www.raycap.com/protection-of-industrial-sites-from-lightning/

Industrial Lightning Protection Systems

While most people are familiar with the fact that there is a certain amount of specialized equipment that would go into any industrial operation in order to maintain its functionality, they also understand that there is a significant amount of equipment that is installed within the spaces to simply maintain the operational aspects of the system itself.  What this means is that the day to day operations of any industrial installation will exist and continue only in a perfect world.  Savvy industrial operators must also plan for unexpected events that can potentially impact their operations negatively.  Failure to plan for these types of instances can result not only in losses associated with equipment damage but also the losses that are associated with extended down times as equipment and operations go offline.  Operational costs do not end with the purchase of equipment and the costs associated with its daily operation.  Instead, they also extend to the additional elements of unforeseen circumstances that might be able to be minimized if planned for, but also must be expected to happen.  In the case of industrial installations, we will find unexpected damage costs building up due to things like fire, theft, and natural occurrences associated with weather.  One common weather related damage can be seen with lightning strikes and their associated power surges. (more…)

Surge protection is the utilization of devices and systems to reduce the amount of damage that would occur if an unregulated flow of electricity was allowed to contact sensitive circuitry. The levels of protection that are able to be achieved are generally dictated by the necessity of monetary protection, and the highest end systems are mostly found in industrial applications or high end residences that have many thousands of dollars’ worth of computer equipment. The added necessity of keeping systems online and functioning from a business standpoint will also factor into the levels of surge protection that are chosen. The “industrial grade” surge protection devices are usually more robust versions of the same types of technologies that protect private residences, at least from a functionality standpoint.

Lightning protection is not the same thing as basic surge protection. If you have your computer plugged into a surge strip in your home or office, you are employing a low level of surge protection. Variations in the flow from the grid to your computer can slowly create circuit damage over time that is not as obvious as the immediate and acute damage caused by an unprotected surge. The small devices that you will employ in residential applications will mostly be determined by the value of the devices that you are protecting, most people not willing to pay thousands of dollars for a technologically advanced protection system to ultimately protect only a few thousand dollars worth of equipment. However today’s smart home systems that utilize high levels of technology to control aspects of your home, security and electronic functions can benefit from the inclusion of a higher end protection systems, more like those found within industrial installations.

Within commercial applications, surge protection systems must be technologically advanced and able to withstand the largest surges. Because the instances of lightning strike are more frequent within industrial installations due to their remote and unobstructed physical footprint, it would be foolish to believe that your structures will not ever be struck. When this happens, your equipment faces the very real danger of the surge that follows the strike coupling into attached cables or even traveling along parallel beams that have an ability to conduct electricity. The surge created by a lightning strike is at a much greater level but shorter duration than overvoltages caused by say switching components within a closed electrical system. Residential devices like surge strips are not designed to manage the high surges that come from lightning, and therefore will fail if a home or near vacinity is struck and not protected buy a robust surge protection device at the service entrance. Any device of that level would immediately be destroyed and provide no level of protection at all. Only industrial grade protection technology like that provided by Raycap devices will protect your investments against even the largest of surges, and keep your business functioning and online without interruptions. In a business environment, losses are not just found in equipment damage but also in downtime, so the avoidance of damage also assists in protecting the bottom line of the business as well. Whether it is residential or industrial surge protection that is necessary, Raycap has you and your business equipment covered.

It is unfortunate that cultures do not put more emphasis on the value of a technology for the purposes of creating a better world, as opposed to cost. Traditionally, advancements have existed for some time before being widely adopted, generally because they are cost prohibitive during the initial stages of development. When something is new, it may receive attention from small groups with vested interests in that area, but will not receive the mass rollouts that would be necessary to create a self-fulfilling situation of ongoing advancement. In the initial stages of development of almost anything, the initial group of those interested is willing to pay higher costs simply because they want to use that technology, even if it is available in a different form at a lower price. Only once costs have been driven down through general ”adaptations over time” does that technology begin to become more available to the wider audiences that will then supply additional research and development through their purchases. This is the case with green energy technology, which has existed as an alternative to fossil fuels for many years but has yet to receive widespread adoption in many areas of the world, even though it is known to be superior in most respects. The energy production models are chosen by the companies in control of consumer energy distribution, and they will nearly always choose the methods that have the lowest associated cost. Because they are “for-profit” businesses, they need to weigh the costs of production of the product against the environmental impact, then choose the production model based upon what the consumers are willing to pay. Profits are always considered before environmental impact in private businesses.

The green energy markets exist as tested and verified alternatives to fossil fuel production of the same product. Green energy models have had a higher cost of production in the past because of the cheap availability of fossil fuels, and the need for higher levels of technology to produce the energy that is purchased by consumers. The argument has traditionally been that since there is no pollution created, the method of choice should be green and consumers should be willing to pay a premium for it. Consumer support will generally go the opposite direction if there is not perceptible negative impact in the current time, essentially making the rollout of more expensive but cleaner products difficult because the public is unwilling to pay for them. People are willing to accept a certain amount of damage in order to save money, and as long as they cannot readily perceive that damage they will support the cheaper methods. This is why mass adoption of green technologies has taken so long, because the methods had to exist in working models for lengthy periods of time, evolving and streamlining on their own, to the point of finally representing the cheaper production method. Once the public can see that they will not only have a cleaner environment but will also pay less per month, their support shifts to the alternatives. This has been accomplished through the integration of technologically advanced surge protection devices, which curb the expected damages to equipment in the field as a result of power surges. Lightning strikes to wind turbines are a common cause of damage to computerized components, and through the integration of new and better surge protection devices that damage is being minimized more every year. We are now to the point where the costs of damage on a quarterly basis are lower than the costs of fossil fuel purchase, effectively making wind and solar power cheaper to produce. From the unlikely source of surge protection comes the evolution to an industry that will keep the world functioning, only without the pollution of the past.

Industry has evolved over the years beyond the point that many could have predicted 100 years ago. What was once believed to be the cutting edge of technology is now considered old-fashioned or obsolete, and as technology improves our advancements come even faster. Technology itself creates faster evolution of systems, and ultimately the benefits that those systems produce create more technological innovation. Just 30 years ago the concept of a home computer was beyond the scope of rational thought, and today we could not imagine life without them. As technology speeds forward and becomes more advanced, the need to protect that technology becomes more critical. Surge protection as a concept has not changed much in 100 years, essentially relying upon a method of stopping electrical flow by either diverting it or creating a gap it cannot cross, but the technology of how that is achieved has moved as fast as any other technology. The days of the circuit breaker may not be gone, but the methods of protecting systems that rely upon regulated electrical flow have advanced significantly.

The technological advancement of surge protection systems can be found in multiple areas, primarily in the components that make up the SPD itself, and the ability of the SPD to react faster and be restored to functionality quicker. The materials with which the SPD is constructed will determine how well it can survive a surge event itself. In the past, surge protection devices were destroyed in order to create the necessary gap, and eventually they evolved to a point of being able to be reset. This resetting process took time and manpower, and through the creation of more robust surge protection devices with upgraded housings and made of better materials including internal components able to withstand the potential damages they are exposed to daily, the devices themselves needed less attention. Once the technology had evolved to the point of the devices themselves not needing to be reset after a surge incident, we have found that the productivity of systems they protect has increased. Through the simple process of eliminating downtimes caused by surge protection systems doing their job, there is a greater level of productivity achieved, while at the same time money is saved that would have been spent on repairs and technician time. With every micro-second that can be shaved off the process of a SPD being triggered, there are millions of dollars in damages avoided. With every minute that is saved by not having a complicated resetting process involved in systems being returned to functionality, millions of dollar’s worth of products and services are created. Many people think that technological advancement of the systems that create products and services themselves are what is bringing us into the future. In reality it also has a lot to do with the protection systems that allow these configurations to function without damage or interruption that is moving us forward. We are entering a technological phase that will see new and improved devices coming online every day, and in the background the surge protection devices will be allowing them to do the job they were created for.

Does The Future Rest In The Hands Of Surge Protection Devices?

Surge protection devices and systems save hundreds of millions of dollars every year in damage that would have occurred as a result of power surges. The typical consumer understands this fact on a small scale, probably utilizing a power strip of some kind to protect their computer in their home. Consumers can probably grasp the magnitude of the savings when this exact situation is explained as being  in place in every industrial installation in the world, with businesses protecting their computerized investments with surge protection devices as well. While they may be more advanced and robust than your home power strip, the premise is the same. When a power surge happens, these devices instantaneously cut off the flow of power past the protective device and thereby protect the equipment on the other side. The monetary savings that surge protection devices provide is obvious every time a power surge happens, but there are larger issues at hand that many people are unaware of. For example, when people debate alternative energy production and environmental damage, they are probably not thinking about surge protection being a factor. (more…)

The Future For Alternative Energy And Surge Protection Devices

Most people will recognize the importance of alternative energy production methods like solar and wind power. Even those who are opposed to a widespread rollout of alternative energy methods will generally not be opposed to its development from anything expect a monetary standpoint, due to the fact that at the current time,  its use will cost consumers more than if the same power was produced through fossil fuel. The discussion isn’t whether or not the generation of power using free and clean fuel sources is a good thing, but instead how much people will pay for it. Unfortunately, this is what has stagnated its development over time, that those in power choose to align themselves with antiquated industries simply because it costs less at the moment, without consideration that the development of the technology itself will drive down prices.

The costs associated with alternative energy are found in equipment used in the process.  The wind and sun are free, and the real costs that are necessary to be covered by consumer pricing models are found in start up costs and in the repair and replacement of equipment. Wind farms and solar fields are generally found in remote locations and are unobstructed by larger structures. This is done on purpose in order to maximize the wind and sun that can be harnessed for the process, but it also opens the facilities up to lightning strikes and other weather-related damage as a result. When lightning strikes a component that is exposed in a green energy production facility, a surge of power travels along all connected lines from the strike point. This surge can damage attached computers and data processors that are critical to the functionality of the system, necessitating their repair before systems can be returned to working order. Costs are compounded in this regard, reducing surpluses of electricity that can be made using the free fuel sources while they are available and also increasing the operational costs. Reduction of this damage improves the functionality and drives costs down at the same time, resulting in lower prices that consumers must pay for power.

The development of better surge protection devices is not generally funded by government programs that alternative energy development rely upon to further their technology. This means that the private sector and companies like Raycap are leading the charge towards a cleaner world simply through the development of better products for our customers. As our surge protection devices and systems become more robust and technologically advanced their integration into alternative energy production facilities drives down consumer costs. The result is a cleaner planet that may be able to curb climate change simply by trying to save money. When a solution is both cleaner and cheaper, there is almost no argument against its widespread implementation over existing dead technology. Raycap is disrupting the systems and solving the issues of inefficiency within global power generation industries with or without the support of government funding. We are changing the future on our own.

As the climate continually shifts throughout different areas of the globe that are growing increasingly reliant upon stable energy production systems, we find that the opportunities surrounding wind power are the most interesting.  The desire of most nations to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels brings developing green energy technologies to the forefront of most strategic discussions.  While the simple increase in the volume of wind turbines that exist potentially could increase the power production capacities in any country due to the fact that the wind itself is a free fuel source, there are still challenges that hinder this effort.  Repair and maintenance are the main challenge that faces areas that desire to increase their power production volumes using wind technologies..  Due to the high repair and maintenance costs that are associated with these types of systems, large rollouts are sometimes rejected.  Simply put, the argument between the low costs associated with fossil fuels and the higher costs associated with green energy technologies will many times be decided based upon the cheaper production method.  The superiority of wind technology with regards to pollution and climate change is not able to be argued.  A system that produces no pollution vs. a system that burns fossil fuels cannot be viewed as anything except superior.  The only argument against the widespread rollout of these clean technologies is the price associated with their production.  This is why driving down the costs within the wind power production arena may be one of the most important challenges facing the adoption of this technology.  If costs can be reduced to lower than fossil fuels, a cleaner world can be achieved simply by using the more cost effective methods.  This presents an argument that is almost unable to be defeated. (more…)

Continually changing climate conditions, combined with the increasing dependence of developed countries on fossil fuels, has pushed interest in renewable energy sources to the forefront globally.  While all green energy technologies are being developed and refined, wind power is one of the most promising.  As governments put forth aggressive programs designed to increase their wind power production, these increases to the amount of wind turbines bring forth an additional increased statistic.  With more wind turbines comes more damage as a result of lightning strikes.  Surge protection has become a critical component when viewed by the majority of people interested in these developing technologies. (more…)

When nations worldwide attempt to increase their power production capabilities in order to satisfy their growing populations, the discussions of which methodology should be used to produce this power become critical.  Utilization of fossil fuel technologies has a proven track record of stability and the ability to satisfy demand.  The tradeoff to the rollout of these types of power production methods is pollution and damage to the environment.  Additionally, fossil fuel prices can fluctuate dramatically, creating chaos where stability is necessary.  The utilization of green technologies to produce the same power eliminates the instability of fossil fuel prices from the discussion.  The wind is a free source of fuel which can turn the turbines the same way that the burning of fossil fuels does.  Because the fuel source has no cost, the maintenance and upkeep of the systems are the only costs which must be covered by consumers.  These production methods also do not produce pollution or release damaging elements to the climate.  The drawback to the widespread utilization of wind power is that the systems are more sensitive to damage as a result of inclement weather than fossil fuel systems.  In a nutshell, lightning strikes and other environmental factors that can cause damage to the physical structures involved in wind power generation drive costs higher than fossil fuel production methods, at the current time.  Through experimentation and utilization of technologically advanced surge protection systems, the opportunity to drive down costs presents itself. (more…)

Industrial installations are very much like the components that you have within your home, only on a significantly higher level of both cost and electrical consumption. These components are also more robust than anything that you would see in a residential area, in every capacity.  Because of the increased demands on these types of components, efforts are made to create the toughest equipment possible. One thing that is surprising about many industrial systems is that they utilize components that are easily damaged through excess electricity. You can make the shell as tough as you want, but the equipment can still be damaged through electricity moving along the lines that connect it to other equipment in the system. What this means is that even though steps are taken to create as much shielding from the elements as possible, there is a certain amount of damage that is expected to happen to these pieces of equipment simply due to power surges. The electricity that flows within industrial areas is significantly higher than in residential. The utilization of larger equipment for processes requires it to be so. This also requires that the typical power lines that connect equipment to the power grid are able to handle substantially higher loads. The issues happen when power surges occur beyond the levels that are expected, and out of the range that the internal circuitry of this equipment can handle. (more…)

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/lightning-surge-protection-for-residential-and-commercial-applications/

Surge protection and lightning protection are similar concepts with independent systems involved in each function.  While there is crossover between the two with regardto protection of sensitive equipment and computerized systems against surges, the lightning protection models involve both different equipment as well as a different philosophy.  For the sake of discussion, the sources of each type of power surge must be identified, and even though the methodology utilized against power surges of all types remains the same, the identification of the source will determine whether standardized surge protection or lightning protection created the savings against loss. (more…)

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/industrial-surge-protection/

When one thinks about the damage that is associated with a lightning strike, the typical person will think about explosions and fires at the point where the lightning comes into contact with a structure or a component.  Naturally, businesses that are at risk of a lightning strike due to their generalized placement or their natural setups, are going to need to install protective measures against these instances or risk catastrophic loss of business equipment.  Most industrial businesses realize that they are targets for lightning strikes due to the fact that they are located in remote areas or feature the tallest structures in the region.  Additionally, many industrial processes will utilize metallic elements that are a natural attractant for lightning.  Most businesses will take steps to protect the critical equipment utilized in their processes by housing it inside of protected spaces.  (more…)

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/lightning-surge-protection-for-residential-and-commercial-applications/

Surge protection and lightning protection may seem to be the same thing, but they are slightly different.  Surge protection itself can be defined as the utilization of devices and systems in a way which protect sensitive equipment from power fluctuations.  Lighting protection also involves surge protection but includes systems and methods which will divert lightning strikes from happening to a facility or structure.  The damage as a result of lightning can be found in multiple manifestations, the most obvious being the explosion and fire damage that happens at the strike point itself.  Lightning protection provides systems that will attempt to divert the lightning strike (more…)

The wind power industry is still evolving, but ultimately the technology that goes into the manufacturing of electricity by capturing the force of  wind is not where the major evolutions are occurring. Using the wind to turn blades on windmills has been around for centuries, generally being used to perform some function that requires movement. This movement can be channeled into the performance of an action, and that action can be supplied to a wide variety of tasks. While windmills once were used to do things like grind grain or churn butter, they evolved into equipment which is  capable of manufacturing electricity. Electricity was originally created for public use through turbines connected to generators, ultimately resulting in the brushes inside of a generator moving and producing the product. The wind and windmills were able to perform the function of turning the generator brushes and the created electricity could be stored and supplied to those that need it. (more…)

When you pick up a cell phone and make a call or connect to the internet, it seems to just magically connect. Your device seems to just automatically put you in touch with the things that you need, sending and receiving information “magically” through the air. Few people spend the time to look into the process that actually makes those connections happen, and fewer still understand the business behind the technology. We all complain about high cell phone bills and the lack of reception we will find in certain areas. We get irritated if the calls are not perfectly clear, or if it takes too long to download a picture. The technology that makes all these processes happen is truly amazing, and is continually improving to offer consumers even more than they currently have. (more…)

Your Data Surge Protection Plan

Read More:  https://www.raycap.com/data-surge-protection-2/

Ask anyone who has endured a computer crash if they regret not backing of their data before the incident happened.  Most people will go through their daily lives assuming that their computer acts like a storage drawer, where anything that you put inside it will ultimately be able to be retrieved.  Entire businesses have been built upon attempting to retrieve data that has been lost in the unfortunate event of a computer crash.  Suddenly, all of the things that were stored on the computer become more important to the person who owns it, some of it being regretfully lost forever and some of it potentially being able to be salvaged in exchange for a high price.  Most people are shocked by the cost of data recovery services, and are forced to decide based upon the value of the information vs.  the amount of cost to retrieve it.  Now imagine if this were the information that allows your business to operate in a streamlined fashion, or potentially to operate at all.  Data loss on that scale can be devastating.  Therefore, the small efforts that individuals will eventually take after learning their lesson the hard way are the same lessons that businesses will employ either before or after some form of data loss.  The smart businesses will plan before hand, and all the rest will plan after they have been subjected to the pains of losing data. (more…)

The Best Industrial Lightning Protection

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/industrial-lightning-protection/

With regard to industrial businesses, a lightning strike can prove to be one of the most costly occurrences that can happen, creating damage to the attached high end equipment such as  programmable logic controls which are used to automate manufacturing systems, as well as microprocessors and computers. (more…)

Protecting Business Data Through Surge Systems

Read More:  https://www.raycap.com/data-surge-protection-2/

While it is debatable if businesses function the same way as people, we can assume that since businesses are made up of people in key positions who make decisions that they will be made in a way that is ultimately self-protecting.  (more…)

Lightning Protection Saves Industrial Business Loss

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/industrial-lightning-protection/

There are many types of industrial businesses that rely upon fail safe systems to prevent damage and losses in the field.  (more…)

Lightning Protection In Industrial Settings

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/industrial-lightning-protection/

Industrial facilities are unique in that they need special types of landscapes and areas in order to perform their specified functions.  Most industrial facilities are in secluded areas, or around other facilities of the same type since they will create disturbances that would not be acceptable in residential areas. (more…)

Electrical Protection Means Better Business Operations

Read More:  https://www.raycap.com/electrical-protection-2/

Each business that is involved in production of some form of product or service is going to have operational costs.  These costs are going to range from the salaries of employees to the installation of the equipment necessary to the process.  The systems which physically generate products are going to wear out over time.  (more…)

Electrical Protection For Businesses

Read More:  https://www.raycap.com/electrical-protection-2/

Losses associated with the ongoing business activities that are impacted or disturbed by accident is a major contributing factors to both price hikes as well as service outages.  The prices that are charged for the final products that are produced by businesses are generally made up of a few key components. (more…)

The green energy production methods that show the most promise of replacing fossil fuels as the primary source of energy production are wind and solar.  The debate between fossil fuel production techniques and green energy production techniques generally comes down to a discussion of money and pollution.  There is no doubt that wind and solar or a clean and form of energy production because they do not burn a fuel source in order to produce the energy that they are tasked to produce.  One would think that they would be cheaper as a result of not having to purchase this fuel as well, but this is not yet the case because the systems have not reached critical mass and because in some cases their designs make them more prone to damage as a result of exposure than fossil fuel systems are.  Therefore, there has not been a complete shift over to green energy as the primary production method at the current time.  Simply put, it still costs more to produce energy without burning a fuel source and polluting the environment, than it does to burn one.

The main reason for the inflated cost of using photovoltaic components is that they are not a low cost as they would be if they were being mass-produced, and also the exposed portions of the system will degrade over time as a result of weather. Because they are out in the weather, they can also be immediately destroyed by lightning strikes.  The costs of repair and maintenance of these exposed components are factored into the production costs, but ultimately do not make up the lion’s share of it.  Additional costs are found in damage to equipment as a result of surges in electricity that follow lightning strikes.  These power surges travel along any number of structures to the connecting cables and power lines that connect the solar or wind systems.  The electrical surge travels to the equipment that is connected from some distance away and overwhelms the circuitry inside, ultimately producing damage that must be repaired or replaced in order to put systems back online.  This inefficiency as well as added cost is problematic but can be driven down through the integration of more technologically advanced surge protection equipment installed at critical points within the system.  Through the creation of better surge protection devices, we can ultimately drive down the costs of repair and equipment replacement system-wide, thus producing a cheaper energy production system.  Technologically advanced surge protection devices from Raycap are assisting in this process through providing not only a more robust device itself, but also through the integration of cutting-edge technology that allows for the device to remain functional after the surge instance.  Many surge protection devices are rendered inoperable whenever a surge is detected and avoided, thus leaving the system vulnerable to subsequent surges as a result of multiple lightning surges.  Raycap devices do not self-sacrifice, enabling the system to remain fully functional even after the first or second surge instance, thus maintaining the level of protection that can drive down the ultimate cost of production.  Through these technological advancements, we see that green energy technology still has room to grow and ultimately become the more cost-effective solution.

Photovoltaic Surge Protection

Read More:  https://www.raycap.com/lightning-surge-protection-solar-panels/

The debate over a more widespread global adoption of green energy technology in order to produce electricity for public consumption, has been generally tied to the issues of pollution and economics.  The need to create cleaner methods of producing power is acknowledged by nearly everyone, because it is obvious that pollution is an issue.  The debate hinges on the economic discussion, the real issue being if the added cost of producing power in a cleaner way is worth the amount of damage that is being avoided.  Because there is no consensus on the specific amount of damage that is being done to our atmosphere, the discussion always comes back to the economics.  It is difficult to justify paying more for the same product when you cannot specifically see damage that is caused by cheaper manufacturing processes, and therefore public support ends up on the side of the less expensive.  It is confusing to many people as to why a manufacturing process that does not involve the purchase of a fuel source is more expensive than one that does.  (more…)

PV Surge Protection Systems And Devices

Read More: Solar System Surge Protection

PV surge protection it is one of the most important aspects of your photovoltaic system with regards to ongoing operations.  The cost of power generation is one of the main concerns to both the residential customers as well as industrial operators, and although solar PV systems have the added benefit of not producing greenhouse gases through their operation, the overwhelming majority of people who are interested in solar power are probably looking into the cost savings that can be achieved.  The operation of a system that needs no fuel to be purchased in order to create the electricity product should theoretically be less than the operation of the system that has to have a fuel source purchased in order to manufacture the same electrical product.  Unfortunately, when you look at the overall cost of operations over time, and factor in all the elements that are involved in the production of power, many times we find that the solar power systems are still more expensive to operate.  We see this on both the industrial and the residential level if you look at the macro vision of the entire system.  While the actual production of electricity costs less within the solar power system, we find added costs building up in the repair and maintenance of the equipment involved in the process.  It is these costs that inflate the overall cost of production to a higher level than fossil fuels, ultimately providing an argument for those who oppose green energy technology.  Luckily, technology evolves over time in ways that will generally produce cheaper products, and within the solar genre we find that the panels are being made cheaper now than they were 10 years ago.  This offers an opportunity to reduce the costs of operation over time of panels ware out or are damaged through their exposure to the elements.  The cheaper panels will reduce the overall operational expenses, but we still find issues with regards to power surges that damage control equipment downstream.  The panels are exposed and ultimately can be  targets for lightning strikes, producing electrical surges that travel all alone power lines and damage equipment further down the line.  The control equipment used in the process must be fed electricity within a safe operational range in order to operate effectively.  The power surges that are produced by lightning strikes to the solar panels send electrical transients far out of this range along the DC power lines to downstream equipment.  The damage to these critical components creates an overall operational cost it is generally higher than fossil fuels.  Technology however can once again come to the rescue.  Through the installation of technologically advanced surge protection systems and devices which are designed for the DC side of PV systems, that we can extend the life span of the control equipment to far longer timeframes been in the past.  The evolution of superior surge protection equipment integrated within the systems might very well be the catalyst that drives the prices of solar power production down below fossil fuel production, ultimately tipping the scales towards green energy.

Why PV Power Generators Must Be Protected

Read More: Solar Surge Protection

PV power generation systems are a way of describing solar power’s integration into both industrial facilities as well as residential setups. Photovoltaic (PV) systems use several different components in order to generate electricity for consumption by consumers, with these components using a varying degree of protection.  There is numerous different kinds of computerized equipment that is used in the process, and this equipment generally needs to be protected electrically in some form from the climate / environment in order to survive.  The computerized portions of PV systems are well protected in most cases since they do not have to be housed in exposed areas in the field.  The problem is but even though if this equipment it is housed inside specially designed enclosures or rooms that provide full protection from the elements, it is still connected directly to other components of the systems that are exposed to inclement weather and prone to being struck by lightning.  The solar panels themselves that act as the collection units of the fuel source need to be positioned in exposed regions without interference from surrounding structures that can block the sun.  They need to be as isolated as possible from surrounding structures in order to operate at peak efficiency in their task of sunlight collection.  Because lightning is attracted to the easiest pathway to the earth within a region, the large and flat makeup of solar panels makes them a perfect target for lightning strikes.  Since solar panels have become less expensive over the course of the last 10 years, their replacement as a result of lightning strike is not as devastating as it once was.  The problem is that the panels must be connected to the control equipment through power lines and data transfer lines, along which power surges can easily flow.  The lightning strike to the solar panel allows for a massive power surge to travel along the connection lines to the control equipment housed far away.  This equipment can only operate within a safe range of electrical flow, ultimately meaning that it will be damaged if the power surge that is produced by the lightning strike can reach it.  It is for this reason that PV power inverters must be equipped with surge protection devices that can stop this excess power from ever reaching the equipment located downstream.  Effective surge protection equipment installed at appropriate locations within the power production system has the ability to potentially cut down the amount of damage that is done by lightning strikes.  If damage as a result of lightning strikes can be isolated to only the strike point, and result in only the replacement of solar panels, the reduction of the cost to operate the systems ongoing will be significant.  Through the installation of industrial surge protection equipment that is technologically advanced, it is possible to push the cost of operations of solar power plants below the costs of those generating power via fossil fuels, ultimately producing a cheaper and cleaner product at the same time.

Why Solar Systems Need Surge Protection

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Photovoltaic (PV) power generation systems are comprised of electronic components that act as control and data processing equipment within the installation.  In addition to this equipment, solar arrays also have solar panels which are positioned in highly exposed and problematic areas with regards to potential damage by weather.  The control equipment itself will be shielded from adverse conditions because it is not specifically built to be exposed and must operate inside of climate controlled spaces in order to function properly.  The solar panels themselves are positioned outside, and within regions that are lacking in other structures, since it is desired to not cast shade or any form of obstruction of the sun on to the panels themselves.  The panels need to collect the maximum amount of sunlight possible in order to function most efficiently, which puts them at risk of adverse weather conditions.  Because of their placement as well as their general configuration of being large and flat, solar panels are often struck by lightning during inclement weather.  One of the properties of lightning is that it will seek out if the most convenient path towards the earth, ultimately meaning that it will strike the tallest or most exposed structure in a region.  The most efficiently functioning solar panels are the ones at the motion risk of being struck because they often cover acres and acres of land.  It is an interesting aspects that many solar contractors are not aware that they are that creating targets inside of a lightning prone area, and find out the hard way that their equipment was at risk.  Lightning is about 50,000° F which is five times hotter than the sun, and obviously this can be quite detrimental to solar equipment.  When lightning strikes the solar panels, there is generally two aspects of damage that occurs.  The first and most obvious is the complete destruction of the panel itself as it is burned or explodes upon being struck.  The other effect is the overvoltage or surge of power that occurs within the system.

Lightning strikes produce a massive power surge that easily couple into power lines or data transfer cables at the point of the strike or from nearby of regions.  This power surge flows upon these lines quite effectively, ultimately reaching the control equipment that is directly attached to the exposed panels where or near where the strike and surge began.  The equipment will be damaged at the circuit level to the point of needing repair, or many times will explode and produce fires that will destroy an entire system.  This is why it is critical that surge protection devices be installed within PV systems to prevent the flow of excess electricity from reaching the additional equipment that is installed.  Through the installation and use of effective and technologically advanced surge protection equipment and devices, we can reduce the amount of damage that is expected as a result of a lightning strike incident, isolating that damage to the strike point and potentially minimizing it to the replacement of the solar panels themselves.

Surge protection must be taken seriously by everyone with something to lose. This can be as simple as making sure that the $1,000 computer that you just bought is plugged into a protective device of some sort, to making sure that millions of dollars’ worth of equipment won’t be destroyed in an instant by a lightning strike. Many people are unaware that there are power surges every day, and while these fluctuations may not be enough to actually pop the breakers in your home, they are not good for the overall performance of your electronic devices. The same is true for industrial facilities, only in far larger proportions. The flow of electricity must remain within a stable range in order to not damage circuitry inside of data processors, and that range allows for ongoing degradation of performance over time. This will cause the life span of the equipment to be shortened by simple variations in current, and completely ended by a large scale power surge. Power surges can happen for a number of reasons ranging from simple switching errors that occur when components are powered up or powered down, to massive surges in electrical flow that follow a lightning strike. All must be protected against if you are going to get the most from your circuit-driven equipment. (more…)

Surge protection is a topic that few business owners and consumers want to discuss, due to the fact that it is very much in the same vein as insurance. Nobody likes to spend money that they cannot see a direct benefit from in the present, and fewer still like to spend money on things that you hope you will never use. Surge protection itself is much like insurance in that it is only there for bad situations, and literally has no impact on you outside of those instances. Surge protection devices allow your systems to function normally when they are not in use, and only act in the event of a catastrophic situation to prevent as much damage as possible. The same way that insurance is best if it is never needed, surge protection helps you to minimize losses instead of increasing or streamlining operations in any other way. When though about in this light, you can see why many people would choose to try and get only the minimum amount that is absolutely necessary. These same people will have regrets if they are not appropriately protected in the event of a lightning strike. (more…)

While almost every modern day industrial facility is going to rely upon computerized equipment of some sort to provide functionality, some industries are more reliant upon it than others. One of the most “tech heavy” industries is the telecom industry, which finds itself under the demand of the public to continually provide faster and more expansive coverage for customers, while also doing so at the lowest prices possible. Competition among players in the space has created this environment, and as a result the need for ever better equipment is always there. In order to fully understand the challenges that face telecom operators we must examine their greatest threat for loss, network downtime due to some kind of unforeseen act of God, such as the lightning strike. (more…)

A common misconception about green energy production is that there is no cost associated with it. Because the fuel source that turns the turbines that generates the electricity is free in the form of wind, sun and flowing water, it would seem that it could be manufactured this way with far less expense than using any method that required a purchase of the fuel source. While the costs of buying or mining a fossil fuel are additional to those seen in green technology, at this point in time the total costs are still lower using fossil fuels. This is due to an Achilles Heel that is present in green technology, the expense of the equipment required, and the cost to repair or replace the sensitive computer electronics inside these systems equipment. (more…)

Is it important to protect your data? Of course it is, and most people today will employ some kind of data protection system that will allow them to not lose too much information in the case of some sort of computer malfunction. Many times, data loss occurs as a result of power surges, which can be attested to by anyone who has ever had their computer destroyed by a surge to their home. Most people who operate a computer that stores important documents or data will employ some form of backup or surge protection, even if it is in the form of a surge strip or another low cost device. Essentially, having something to help protect your information is better than having nothing. Now imagine that same situation only the computerized equipment that utilizes that stored data costs millions of dollars. Sin this case surge protection in order to provide a more secure data storage system becomes paramount. (more…)

The concept of surge protection relies upon a specific action, one that creates a gap that electricity cannot jump, or creates a diversion that sends it a different direction. This concept is the basis behind all devices that are installed for the purpose of protecting equipment from surge related damage, and is employed in both residential and commercial applications. The simplified version of the concept is that a device is created that will allow electricity to flow across it as long as that electricity is within a certain range. If the level of electricity exceeds that specified range, then an action takes place which will either create a gap that the flow cannot cross, or divert it to ground. This device is then installed into the equipment that allows electrical flow, or into places where electrical flow could happen. Generally, this means that the devices are installed into cables and wires that are either designed to allow for electrical flow, or which could allow for it if electricity was to couple into them. Power and data transfer lines are examples of these types of equipment. In addition to the obvious areas of installation, surge protection devices can also be fitted into critical junction spots, an example being within metal structures where electricity could couple into the framing of the structure itself. The surge protection devices act as a dam, one that allows the flow until it is unsafe, then cuts off that flow in one manner or another. This method has remained the staple of surge protection technology since it was invented. While there have been vast improvements in the technology of the devices themselves, or the sensitivity with which they can operate in order to cut the electrical flow more effectively, the broad concept remains unchanged. (more…)

Telecom systems are relied upon every day by people, businesses and the most sensitive communication platforms in the world. Everything from the simple task of calling home to let loved one’s know you are on the way, to the most critical call to 911 where a life depend on it, all go through the telecommunications systems that we have in place. Different telecom operators use different systems to provide service to their customers, and these customers have grown to not only rely upon their ability to access a network and communicate, but also to do it at faster speeds for less money. Every year the telecom networks are improved upon in order to handle greater capacities of data transfer and connectivity while all the while being provided for lower and lower prices. Just five years ago, video streaming on a mobile device was nearly impossible due to the large amounts of data that it would require to run smoothly. Today, we barely think about it. We actually become annoyed by any disturbances in the network, even though this entire communication technology would have been impossible a few years ago. This places enormous pressure on telecom providers to continually improve operations in any way possible, and it may seem odd but surge protection devices play a big role in this process. This is because surge protection devices protect equipment from the natural occurrences of lightning strikes, thereby protecting the network from downtime,  and allowing consumers to get more of what they want for less money. (more…)

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/industrial-surge-protection/

In the modern age world of industrial business, the equipment being used is almost exclusively dependent upon microprocessors and electronic devices, creating critical need for far higher levels of protection against electrical surges than ever before. Because of the extensive use of computers, microprocessors, programmable logic controllers and various other electronic components that are utilized in the automation aspects of machine programming, motor speed and tool changes, these systems are now especially vulnerable. Power surges are now one of the leading causes of breakdown, catastrophic failure, process interruption or premature aging and failure of equipment. Only through the effective deployment of industrial surge protection can manufacturers keep equipment safe and processes running reliably, ultimately mitigating disruptions and outages as well as damage due to surge related occurrences. Surges are typically generated externally through incidents like grid switching and lightning strikes. This is not to say that there are not also internal events that cause power fluctuations and overvoltage problems. Grid side surges outside of the plant can also produce power fluctuations that are seen facility wide. Regardless of the source, power surges and fluctuations have a negative and adverse effect on machinery and productivity across the board. Only through the integration of facility wide surge protection devices, applied  throughout the electrical distribution system all the way from the electrical service entrance to the single-phase loads, is damage mitigated. (more…)

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/industrial-surge-protection/

Understanding the differences between residential surge protection devices and industrial surge protection devices is not necessarily one of the most important things for people to learn, but understanding that your daily life relies upon industrial surge protection is probably a good idea. Modern life has been so influenced by technology that we are at a point where almost any productivity revolves around technology and connectivity to different systems. Just the simple act of picking up a cell phone and checking for driving directions in order to make it to a meeting involves several systems that are all reliant upon industrial surge protection to stay online.  From the cell towers themselves being able to transmit and receive signals to the data processing that is involved in providing the information that you are seeking through that device, industrial surge protection is touching your life and impacting it in several ways. The ability to receive the directions that you seek might create an inconvenience if it was unavailable, but in an emergency a total shutdown of your ability to utilize your phone can have consequences that are far more dire. Our reliance upon surge protection devices happens in the background of life and is rarely considered until those devices need to perform their job. One of the interesting aspects of surge protection is that it exists in a state which ultimately makes it easy to forget that it is there, until it performs its duty. The tasks that surge protection devices have are simple, protect equipment and systems from damage and outages by preventing excess electricity from passing through them. Surge protection devices are the gatekeeper that keeps electricity flowing within a range that is specified. As a result, surge protection devices ultimately save millions of dollars per year in damage and increase productivity to a level that can never be quantified due to society’s almost complete reliance upon it. (more…)

One of the common questions that is asked online is the “differences between surge suppressors and surge protectors.” The two terms are commonly used interchangeably along with other phrases like protector, arrestor, suppressor, regulator, limiter, and TVSS. While lay people use these terms to describe nearly any device that limits excesses of voltage past the point of their install, there are differences based on the technologies and needed protection level. The basic use of surge protectors is to prevent damage to electronic equipment by voltage spikes or “transients”. A surge protector regulates voltage and prevents it from reaching a certain threshold. Electrical surges or spikes are short duration but higher voltage than can be managed by attached equipment.  A surge protector detects the surge and cuts the power flow either temporarily and staying “alive”, or permanently and sacrificing itself. Once a protection unit has been “sacrificed” the downstream equipment is no longer protected and, in the event of another surge before a replacement can be made, equipment can be damaged or destroyed.

Surge protectors that have an ability to take a surge, divert that surge, and then continue to protect are rare, and these devices are in high demand for mission critical industrial applications such as telecommunications, energy and transportation. All devices have a joule rating of the peak levels of energy they are capable of absorbing, but the better ones can absorb more and continue to work. If a component has absorbed the maximum amount of energy within its rating, it becomes ineffective at protecting against subsequent surges and must be replaced. Depending upon where these devices are placed, some are utilized for more critical protection functions such as lighting strikes while others manage transient voltage surges or “overvolatges”. The surge produced by a lightning strike is far too high for many traditional surge protection technologies to manage, and lightning itself has driven much of the technological advancement seen in the past 30 years in the field of surge protection.

While technologies and solutions that are utilized to protect industrial installations against lightning strikes are more robust than those being used to handle lower level surges, the real difference is in the surge rating of the device. Class 1 (Type 1), Class 2 (Type 2) and Class 3 (Type 3) devices all have their own particular place before and after the power meter and inside the facility, be it an office or home. When installed in order to provide a level of protection necessary to keep hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment functioning safely, most systems are going to involve all levels of installation, each created for different purposes at different locations. With the ultimate desire being to keep the surge of electricity away from components that would suffer damage, each surge protective device is generally installed at the correct place and directed by the electrical code. In this way, different levels of surge protection are used to cover any path that the surge might take. The installation of the correct types of devices at junction boxes, along lines and cables, and overhead is the only way to effectively limit the instances of damage to the lowest possible numbers. The inclusion of technologically advanced devices like the Class 1 and Class 2 rated Strikesorb product lines, which are capable of taking multiple surges without self-sacrifice, will provide the necessary protection against lightning. As the cost of equipment that is put into harm’s way goes up, so does the necessity to think about the surge protection systems that keep the equipment safe. In many cases, these devices may be technologically superior to the devices that they are protecting, keeping critical systems online and functioning without interruption.

Lightning Surge Protection Devices

Industrial surge protection is a key factor in determining profitability in both existing and emerging industries today. As investments in equipment necessary to operate in an increasingly technological world become greater, the need to protect that equipment also becomes more crucial. While new industries were born within a technological age and have never operated in a different way, even older industries are feeling increased pressure to computerize in order to compete with competition. Simply put, there is almost no industrial business today that does not operate with some level of technological involvement, and all of those businesses need to cut costs to compete. One of the most obvious methods of reducing expenses is to prolong the expected life span of the expensive equipment, which ultimately adds to the bottom line by going beyond the point where it would be expected to be replaced. Continuing to function past an expected and predicted point provides additional revenue, and methods of creating this extended life situation are to the benefit of any business seeking lower operational costs. This is where industrial surge protection devices do their work. They exist soley for this purpose, as well as to keep the systems they protect online and functional. Surge protective devices are integrated into these facilities at a cost that is always lower than the replacement cost of equipment that may be damaged by power surges. (more…)

Can Surge Protection Devices Stop Global Warming?

Climate change is real and it is happening. Even though debates are usually framed with the question “is climate change real,” what is actually being debated is not the reality of any change in climate. Any quick research into weather patterns and ocean temperatures prove that there is a progressive heating up of the planet occurring. The actual debate is if mankind is to blame and if there is anything we can do to change the current path. Some of the answers may be found in the energy production industries, where this debate is clearly located. Proponents of alternative energy production methods argue that fossil fuel burning causes enough damage to the environment to warrant extra costs. Proponents of traditional power production methods argue that the minimal damage to the environment that pollution causes is not worth the added costs that consumers would need to pay. The resolution of the debate would be found if the alternative production models were both cleaner and cheaper. As the alternative energy production methods become more efficient, this day is rapidly approaching. (more…)

The concept of climate change involves the earth becoming progressively more unstable as far as weather patterns, resulting in higher high temperatures and lower low temperatures. In addition, we see the oceans becoming progressively warmer and storms becoming stronger and more frequent. Even a few degrees difference from the norms can cause large scale upheaval to our ecosystem, and create difficulties for life on earth. The pattern of increasing weather instability may or may not be related to manmade issues, and as a result there are two camps of people, each defending a different side of the debate. One side holds that climate change is a result of factors like pollution and greenhouse gasses created by the continued operation of systems that destroy our atmosphere, and the other claims that the damage caused is minimal enough to ignore. Neither side claims there is no pollution being created, and instead they disagree on the amount of damage that pollution causes and what can be done about it. Proponents for fossil fuels argue that the costs associated with a switchover to alternative energy models are not worth the amount of damage the pollution causes. (more…)

With industrial businesses, the extension of the lifespan of equipment is a continual challenge.  Many industrial installations are in remote areas that are also exposed to the elements, so we find that equipment will typically have a far shorter operational lifespan than equipment that is housed within a more protected space. While every effort is made on behalf of these types of businesses to protect the equipment utilized in their processes, it is always done with the knowledge that equipment damage must be planned for. One of the more surprising aspects of this protection planning is that the equipment that is sometimes damaged is actually adequately shielded from the elements.  The damage that occurs happens because it is attached or connected to other areas which may have been exposed to the elements. With industries like the cellular business or alternative power production methods, the high tech equipment that is utilized in the processes is actually not completely exposed itself.  In these types of setups, we will usually see some form of exposed equipment that is connected directly to shielded equipment through power lines or data transfer cables. The problem is that when lightning strikes happen in exposed areas, the subsequent power surge that follows a lightning strike travels along pathways and can damage equipment downstream if lightning protection ins not installed. There is almost no way to completely prevent a lightning strike, and most businesses have figured out ways to position only a limited amount of equipment in the areas that are high risk. With the expectation of lightning strikes happening at these points, losses are minimized through the utilization of only necessary equipment at that point. More expensive or more high tech equipment is positioned within more shielded areas, and that equipment is further protected through the installation of surge protection devices along these lines.

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We have grown so used to our phones being a direct communication line to other people as well as the internet that we rarely think about the technology involved in this process. We have grown so used to using them on a daily basis that we no longer think about what is necessary to make the entire process happen, and also the challenges that are faced by the cellular companies. Intense competition between companies has reduced the margins that they operate within to extreme levels. Customers now demand not only the fastest and clearest calls and internet connections, but they want it for a price that is almost unfathomable. When we think about the increasing demands that customers are placing on cellular companies in the form of faster networks and the ability to transmit or receive large amounts of data, only then do we start to consider the challenges that are faced by the companies that provide these services. We’re finding that the ways that these companies are now improving their own bottom line is through exploration of technological advancements to enable savings in both operating and capital expenditures. By deploying improved surge protection devices on their networks, cellular providers have been able to increase their profitability, and remain competitive within the space. If not for these devices installed on the network, cellular companies would be required to raise customer prices, and consumers will rarely tolerate large increases.  Through the ability to find cost savings by extending the life span of equipment, customer prices are able to remain relatively low while network capacities are increased to meet demand. (more…)

One of the more important discoveries over the course of the last 50 years has been the improvements to uptime of mission-critical systems enabled by advanced lightning protection technology. Lightning protectors are essentially surge protection devices which are strategically positioned throughout a connected system of electronic equipment. They create a barrier between exposed areas which are ultimately vulnerable to lightning strikes during inclement weather. While there is little that can be done to completely eliminate damage to equipment that is directly struck by lightning, there is an ability to salvage downstream equipment that (more…)

One of the common questions that is asked regarding the systems that create functionality as well as protection within industries like telecommunications as well as green energy production is “what are lightning protectors?” A lightning protector is a device which is placed at critical junctures within a technical system in order to provide electrical protection for downstream equipment.  The protection that is provided is against the associated electrical surge that follows a lightning strike.  The idea is to prevent an electrical surge from being able to move along and through power lines or communication cables which connect and expose any connected computerized or data processing equipment that is located there or elsewhere along a path connected by cables or in the same metal structure.  For example, in a cellular tower the top area that is exposed would serve as the “end unit,” being in a direct line to the elements. (more…)

As we go about our daily lives, we rarely think about the industrial applications that are busy working 24/7 to make our lives easier.  There are numerous industries that are generally not observed by the public due to the fact that they are located in relatively remote areas. “Industrial” businesses can be physically located in areas that are not very populated, due to the fact that the daily tasks  that happen on site would create troublesome situations in more residential areas.  Industrial areas are zoned that way so that businesses can conduct the tasks they need to without being an inconvenience to people living around them.  Other types of businesses might have portions of their inventories located within populated areas, but in a way that generally blends into the background.  After seeing things like cellular towers or windmills on a daily basis, we sometimes begin to lose interest in exactly what they’re doing, and simply move by them without noticing.  The technical aspects of the equipment and the processes that is happening within these areas might surprise you.  You think that industrial areas are simply places where large trucks come and go, or large amounts of noise is being made.  In many modern industrial installations, there is no noise at all.  When we are talking about things like the generation of power for public usage, or the towers that allow us to connect our cellular devices to networks, we’re talking about some of the more modern versions of industrial businesses.  These types of industries involve large amounts of equipment that is considered high tech.  This equipment being positioned within areas that is exposed to the elements is mission critical for the functionality of many of these businesses, but is also one of the biggest drawbacks to daily operations.  This is because most industrial businesses must figure in a certain amount of repair costs every quarter, due to the fact that equipment is often damaged in the field. (more…)

People complain about their phone bills all the time.  They will reference how much they’re paying every month in a negative way during conversations with their friends, never thinking about the amount of technology that they are benefiting from by paying that bill.  If you think about it, a few hundred dollar bill every month gives people access to almost unlimited amounts of information and entertainment.  The original intention of a mobile phone, allowing people to talk to their friends without being connected to a wire, has almost fallen by the wayside.  People use their phones for so much more today that doesn’t have anything to do with making or receiving calls.  There was a time when the biggest complaint regarding a cellular phone was weak signals and dropped calls.  Today however, people are irritated by the fact that they may not be able to stream a high definition movie while flying on an airplane and texting at the same time!  We have grown so used to having unlimited amounts of technology at our fingertips that we have taken for granted the systems that make this all possible.  The competition between cellular providers has grown so fierce that even the smallest increase in price can cause customers to flee.  Consumers expect to have instant access to nearly anything, and have grown used to paying almost nothing for it.  As new technology forces cellular companies to roll out faster networks with higher capacities, they’re forced to explore alternative cost cutting methods in order to not have to raise prices. (more…)

Most people today couldn’t go even more than a few hours without their cell phone.  Our phones have become such a part of our lives that it is difficult to imagine being productive without them.  They serve as our connection to the world, providing us not only with the ability to have a conversation with people at any time, but also providing us with the ability to access information and entertainment.  Once cell phones became fully integrated with the internet, the race was on among different companies to provide the fastest data transfer rates available.  In order to download or upload files that were larger and larger sizes, cell providers needed to increase their capacities far beyond anything that had been seen previously.  People have grown so used to being able to stream movies without any delay, or have conversations with people from the most remote areas without dropping a call, that we have grown annoyed if the technology does not provide us with almost instant gratification.  Our ability to gain instant access to almost anything through our phone is due to the technological advances that have come over the course of the last 10 years.  Every time that the speed of data transfer is increased through network improvements, cell providers must figure out how to accomplish the goal without increasing prices.  The competition between cellular providers has become so fierce that even the smallest pricing increases can cause consumers to seek alternative companies.  While this benefits consumers, it certainly doesn’t make the cellular business any easier. (more…)

When surge protection is not only suggested but absolutely necessary to keep operational costs manageable, businesses turn to technology. The concept of surge protection is relatively simple, take flowing electricity and stop the flow if it exceeds a specific amount, thus keeping the surge from equipment in the system. Since there are capacities that cannot be breached without damage being done to equipment, surge protection is put in place to cut the flow if damage could occur. This protects the components as a failsafe, rendering them inoperable but yet not continuing to protect in the case of a follow on surge. Often surge protectors, once they do their jobs, need to be reset or replaced. If this is done before the follow on surge, then operators avoid the need to replace the equipment being protected. When systems cost millions of dollars, the prevention of any percentage of expected damage repair can add up to a healthier bottom line for the business. (more…)

The average consumer thinks of surge protection in the form of surge strips that are typically used simply for the multiple outlets they provide. Some may have slightly higher end surge protection in their homes in the form of battery backup and surge protection combinations. Most will only think of surge protectors for computer equipment, and aside from being a buffer between a computer and the wall outlet they are not used for many high end electronic devices. Yes, you should put a form of surge protection in between your expensive television and the electricity source. You should do the same for almost anything of value in your home that has the potential for being damaged by a power surge. Consumers rarely think of the damage that a power surge can do until it is either too late, or the surge protection has done the job it was installed to do. (more…)

Industrial surge protection systems are a critical component to keeping many of the things functioning that consumers rely upon everyday. When doing  simple tasks like connecting a call on a cell phone or using electricity generated using green technology, we often have surge protection devices to thank for those systems continuing to function to the point that we can forget what it would be like if these systems did not function. These industrial systems have become so reliable that we rarely even realize what goes into the technology in our pockets or within our homes and businesses. We may even get annoyed if there are minor interruptions in services. We should all take a step back to think about what is happening when we look at our cell phones or turn on the lights in our houses, and appreciate the technology operating in the background to make our lives easier. (more…)

The magic of cellular technology has allowed the world to become almost completely interconnected, when only 20 years ago it was not. Through the integration of internet technology into cellular devices, we are literally holding a connection to nearly anyone on the planet, and to most of the information available in the world. Access to information has always been the number one thing that holds societies back, and today the access to information is nearly limitless for anyone who can afford a phone. This is one of the most amazing developments in human history. (more…)

The days of your grandfather’s surge protection devices are over.  Surge protection devices have evolved over the years to become far more technologically advanced than even some computer equipment.  Surge protection is a cornerstone of many businesses in modern times as they do not have the ability to cut costs by utilizing cheaper equipment.  They also don’t have the ability to cut costs by reducing their labor force.  What they are left with is exploring methods that would lengthen the lifespan of the equipment that is currently in place, or figuring out ways that will allow the equipment to produce more, but in a less wasteful manner.  In industries like green energy production, we find that reduction in the amount of offline time is the way to increase productivity, especially where equipment costs cannot be reduced.  This protection of the equipment as a way to extend its life span is one of the ways that the cost gap between fossil fuel production costs and green energy production costs can be closed.  Financially, what will happen is that green energy will be able to be produced in not only in a cleaner but also a less expensive fashion.  This is almost exclusively the result of improved surge protection. (more…)

Green energy production through the use of windmills and wind turbines has long been thought of as the future of energy production.  The need to decrease the amount of fossil fuel usage with regard to energy production has been ongoing.  Even if one does not believe that climate change exists, it cannot be denied that the pollution that happens as a result of fossil fuel usage in the ecosystem harms people.  Any reduction in the amount of pollution that happens worldwide is a good thing.  The debate has always been between the cost of energy production using methods that do not pollute, and the amount of pollution that actually happens.  People who are cost conscious argue that the pollution that is created through the dirty systems is not serious enough to justify the cost.  Those who are climate conscious argue the opposite.  The one thing that is not able to be argued is that if the systems were both cleaner and less expensive as well as able to produce enough energy to power major metropolitan areas, than there would be no need for fossil fuel production methods. (more…)

Surge protection devices have come a long way from their humble beginnings. As soon as there was an ability to provide electrical current to a device, there was the need to figure out a way to safely stop that current from flowing. The dangers that current posed were obvious in the form of electrocution, fire and explosions. A more subtle damage was found in equipment failure as a result of unregulated current, that equipment only being able to tolerate so much before the internal components were destroyed. This was amplified further as equipment became more technologically advanced and circuitry was further employed in computers. Devices became more sensitive and more expensive at the same time, and the simple “shutoff switch” could no longer be as the only adequate protection once the need for continuous uptime became prevelant. The circuit breakers that were once the only form of protection against flowing electricity needed to be improved upon. They were not going to be replaced, but instead added to in the system of protection that shields the most sensitive components from the brute strength of flowing electricity. Anyone who ever plugged their expensive computer into a wall outlet only to find that a power surge finally destroyed its circuitry understands the need. (more…)

Electrical Protection For Industrial Equipment

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Business is all about the constant balance between covering the costs associated with the production of the products that are sold to consumers, and the driving down of the costs as much as possible.  When costs are lowered, decisions can be made as far as how the extra money is allocated.  It can be reinvested into the business to improve systems, or it can be paid out as profits and bonuses to investors.  It can also be reinvested into the business to help lower prices, (more…)

Can Your Business Sustain A Data Loss?

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Even though they are figured into most business plans, losses of any kind are generally viewed as setbacks which are best avoided.  Even if your business plan factors in a certain amount of loss every year as a result of a wide variety of circumstances that are generally both unique to a business as well as generic, business owners would rather figure out ways to minimize these losses by any means necessary.  There are improvements to system functionality and additional equipment that is developed by independent manufacturers every year which is specifically designed to address flaws within existing systems and help them function in a more streamlined fashion.  (more…)

Green energy producers face specific strategic problems with regards to the amount of cost that is associated with the production of energy in their systems.  There’s a constant battle between fossil fuel production and green energy production methods of creating power, generally coming down to two areas of argument.  These are the costs of production that ultimately ends up creating the prices that consumers must pay for power, and the amount of pollution that is produced by the system. These are the areas of contention that are being argued on a daily basis.  There is no doubt that green energy technologies are cleaner than fossil fuels, but unfortunately the cost basis for fossil fuel production is lower than wind and solar forms of production at the current time.  This may seem lopsided due to the fact that fossil fuel producers must pay for a fuel source where green energy producers do not.  The main area of inflated cost is found in the maintenance and replacement of equipment that is used in the green energy process.  The solar panels that are used in photovoltaic systems must be exposed to the elements in order to function properly.  They also must be exposed in a way that does not create shadows from nearby structures that would hinder their ability to collect sunlight.  This makes them a prime target for lightning strikes, which produce damage in two forms.  Direct strikes to the panels or to other exposed equipment produces damage at that point which is almost unavoidable.  The subsequent power surge that is associated with both direct strikes as well as in indirect strikes overwhelms the circuitry of equipment, which is connected to these exposed components, causing damage downstream.  Luckily, even though there is little that can be done to reduce the amount of wear and tear on exposed components as a result of wind and rain, there is something that can be done to protect the downstream equipment from power surges.  Through the integration if technologically superior surge protection devices at strategic locations and within the inverter regions, we can significantly reduce the amount of damage that occurs as a result of a lightning strike and a surge.  Raycap Strikesorb devices not only produce a higher level of protection as a result of their superior makeup and manufacturing process, but the technology that is involved in their “always on” process allows them to stay active even after the surge event has occurred.  One of the common issues with surge protection systems is that they are disabled whenever the surge that they are protecting against happens.  This means that if lightning strikes the region within a short time frame, only the first strike is protected against.  With Raycap surge protection devices, we find that a greater level of protection is achieved.  This gives operators within photovoltaic systems the ability to drive down costs and potentially make solar energy production both cheaper and cleaner.  This would be a game changer that brings green energy technology to the forefront.

Photovoltaic Surge Protection Devices For Lower Operational Costs

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There are several potential motivating factors for one’s decision to either install a photovoltaic power generation system into a residence, or to support the more widespread adoption of green energy technology production in and around a community.  Activists will generally be found on the side of lower levels of pollution which is a serious issue facing the world today.  As the demands for more electricity rises, so do the levels of pollution that are generated by fossil fuel fired plants which are tasked with this production.  Pollution itself is an immediate issue that causes health concerns for people and animals, and the destruction of the atmosphere as a result of greenhouse gases causing climate change and problems for future generations.  Those activists who are looking for ways to reduce the amount of pollution across the board will always look to fossil fuel burning as a factor that can be reduced or eliminated.  (more…)

Photovoltaic Surge Protection Devices Make Systems More Efficient

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System efficiency is paramount when speaking of green energy production methods, simply because the fuel source that creates the power product is only available for limited times.  The wind is not always blowing, and the sun is not always shining, so in the past green energy production methods were not viewed as viable methods of producing enough power necessary to satisfy the needs of large populated regions.  Improvements from a technological standpoint have brought this concern into the forefront, proving in several instances over the course of the last few years that metropolitan areas can now be fully powered without the use of fossil fuel generated electricity.  (more…)

Surge Protection Devices Help Reduce Costs

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Industrial surge protection devices are improving people’s lives every day, and many people are not even aware of the extent of the impact that they have.  Surge protection devices are familiar to most people in their homes, where they regularly use surge protection strips in order to protect computerized equipment from damage.  Many people living in metropolitan areas have little to no experience with power surges due to the effectiveness of surge protection devices themselves.  (more…)

Surge Protection Devices Improve Businesses

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Industrial grade surge protection devices are also known as “SPDs.” These are specifically designed surge protection components that are installed between a power source and a device that could be damaged by increased electrical current flow over a certain point.  Most people are familiar with surge strips in their home which gave them the ability to plug this trip into the outlet and then plug your device into the strip.  These products act as a barrier in between a power surge that can elevate the level of electricity outside of the range of operational safety for your device.  Anyone who has ever been impacted by power surge has known the pain of loss of data as well as replacement costs for computer equipment. (more…)

Surge Protection Devices

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Surge protection devices are equipment that is specifically designed to act as a barrier between electricity which has exceeded a specific level and the equipment that is being powered by the regulated flow.  One of the largest costs of doing business at industrial facilities is the repair and replacement of equipment in the field.  The critical components that are necessary to continue operations in a wide variety of industries also function at significant risk of damage or destruction every moment that they are operational.  This is because of the physical makeup of industrial facilities; characteristics of these facilities being remotely located and also often the tallest structures within a range. (more…)

Better Solar Surge Protection Means Lower Energy Prices

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The debate between green energy production methods and fossil fuel production methods has gone on for many years.  At the heart of the entire debate is money, and how much it will cost to produce power using each of these methods.  For the record, green energy production is an umbrella term that encompasses any form of energy production that does not use a burned source of fuel as the method to turn turbines which produce in turn electricity.  Green energy production is generally seen in the form of wind and solar. Both of these fall into the category of production methods which do not burn fossil fuels in order to create turbine movement.  Both wind and solar use a different methodology which ultimately does not rely upon the mining of oil, gas or coal as a fuel source which is necessary to destroy in order to produce the electrical power product.  Instead, a system like solar power production relies upon the gathering of sunlight on solar panels, which ultimately super heats liquid within a closed system.  This liquid is forced through tubes due to the fact that it is expanding under the heat source, and a sequence of events then results in the turbines turning to produce the same electrical product that would be produced through the burning fossil fuels.  The main difference is there not been a need for the fuel force to be mined or destroyed, resulting in the destruction to the environment and the pollution that occurs when fossil fuel is burned.  The debate over the superiority of one system vs. another will generally come down to the costs associated with the production of the ultimate product, and perhaps as well the damage to the environment will be more heavily considered.  Those that favor fossil fuels will argue that the damage done to the environment is worth the cost savings, but this argument is becoming less popular.  The entire debate would end if the cost of production using solar methods were lower than those using fossil fuels. (more…)

Surge Protection Devices For Better Operations

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/surge-protection/

Industrial surge protection devices are continually evolving to produce not only better levels of protection against electrical overflow, but also better levels of operational integrity within facilities.  Industrial facilities provide a great deal of the products and services that are consumed by the public every year, and many people are unaware of the level to which they are reliant upon steady operations within the industrial facilities that service them.  Every day our lives are impacted in ways that we probably don’t think about very often, ranging from telecommunications to power production and a wide variety of other industries as well.  For example, the telecommunications industry relies heavily upon industrial surge protective devices to not only keep costs at a minimum but also keep connectivity at a maximum.  (more…)

Surge Protection Device

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/surge-protection/

An industrial grade surge protective device is also known as an “SPD.” These are pieces of equipment that are specifically designed and manufactured for the express purpose of preventing excess electricity from reaching a specified point.  The general application involves the installation of a surge protection device somewhere before a piece of equipment or a series of equipment connections.  These pieces of equipment the surge protector protects are understood to have a threshold of electricity that they can operate within without damage occurring.  If the level of electrical flow exceeds a certain point of measurement, it is understood that the equipment will sustain damage at either the circuit level, or potentially sustain a complete and total loss of operability as a result of explosion or fire.  The surge protection device is installed along connected wires or cables that meet the equipment itself.  These can be traditional power lines as well as data transfer lines or connectivity cables that supply communication between devices.  The surge protection device is installed previous to the equipment that is desired to be protected, and the power source.  Other points of SPD installation can also be found at junction boxes or critical points within a structure that may see electricity coupled into elements that have the ability to conduct electricity.  The surge protection device would be installed in a way that only allows electricity to flow through it in order to reach the equipment at the other side.  Through this installation, the surge protection device can cut off or divert the flow of electricity past it if this electrical level exceeds a specified point.  This way, the operational range of electrical flow is maintained continually. (more…)

Street Furniture

“Street furniture” is a term which is used to describe the specifically designed enclosures which are positioned in exposed areas in order to protect and secure critical equipment that is used in a variety of industries.  Also known as “street cabinets,” these enclosures have been designed to protect specific types of equipment that is used in processes that require the equipment to be positioned in areas in which it could very well be damaged by inclement weather, animals or vandalism.  There are numerous industries that rely upon the equipment that is positioned in the field, much of which is at street level, and require it to sit at a level where it can best do its job, but also be easily damaged by human interaction.  No matter why a particular piece of street furniture is in use, it is a necessary component to the ongoing system functionality the industry it serves.  The main characteristic that makes street furniture unique is that it is specifically designed to keep all forms of potential damage from the outside at a minimum.  Because the damage can occur from a wide variety of sources, the manufacturers of street furniture do their best to engineer an enclosure which will prevent all forms.  The equipment which is housed inside of the street furniture has multiple values.  The actual costs for repair and replacement of the equipment is the most obvious value worth protecting, but system outages that can be caused by equipment damage at street level must also be considered.  This is why street furniture is considered such an important part of the system, and why so much time and effort goes into the manufacture and installation of specific street furniture for a specified purpose. (more…)

Street Furniture Is Part Of The Protection Process

Companies which specialize in the protection of equipment that is used in a variety of commercial industries must take into consideration not only the types of damage that they specifically provide protection against, but also the type of damage that can occur from a wide variety of sources.  Therefore companies like Raycap who specialize in electrical protection devices can also be in the business of producing street furniture or electrical cabinets.  These are specifically designed enclosures that help equipment that must be positioned in the field to function as long as possible without damage or outage.  Equipment which is positioned in vulnerable areas is always expected to have a shorter lifespan than that of equipment which can be fully protected inside of a building, and the integration of street furniture assists in the process of extending the lifespan of that equipment.  When used in conjunction with other protection devices like surge protective devices (SPDs), equipment in the field can have an extended lifespan beyond that which is unprotected.  There are many industries which must position equipment at street level and ultimately at risk in order to maintain their operations, and while much of the protections for us this is highly technical, street cabinets are also a critical part of this process.  While they may be constructed to be more tough than technological, they are also necessary to protect and maintain the usefulness of the equipment which lives inside.  All of the surge protection equipment in the world cannot prevent damage from vandalism or rodents, and these are just two potential sources of damage that street furniture equipment makers must take into consideration. (more…)

Street Furniture Is Critical To Protection

“Street furniture” is a term that is used to describe enclosures that are specifically designed to prevent damage to equipment which is used for a process, but which must be located in a potentially high traffic area or region which presents the potential for damage.  There are many different types of damage that can occur to critical equipment and systems, so street furniture is designed in a way that takes as much potential damage into consideration and also provides the ability for enough customization to keep specific equipment safe from unspecified types of damage.  While there are configurations that are more standardized than others, which most street furniture is customized to a certain degree to take into consideration the unique and specific aspects of the equipment inside, as well as the environment that it is presented within.  The main consideration of street furniture is protection from the elements and from external sources of damage. (more…)

Operational Savings Through Surge Protection Devices

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/surge-protection/

Industrial facilities operating all over the world benefit from surge protection devices being installed within their systems every day.  As a result of these benefits, customers who utilize the services and products that are produced by these facilities also reap the rewards.  Most customers have little to no knowledge of the critical nature of surge protection devices, or the impact that their technological advancement has on their lives.  Industrial surge protection devices work much the same way that residential surge protection devices do, essentially operating as a barrier between electricity which has exceeded a specific amount and components which rely upon a regulated flow of electricity to remain operational.  Nearly all equipment that is utilized in almost any system has an operational safety range with regard to electricity.  If the flow of electricity exceeds a certain amount, damage at the circuit level will be expected, and total destruction is possible as a result of explosions or fires.  The equipment which is utilized in nearly any industrial facility is at-risk due to the specific physical makeup of industrial facilities themselves.  (more…)

The telecom world is a very competitive business to be in. In addition to being unbelievably reliant on massive hardware and software investments, competition for customers drives the margins to lower levels every year. At the same time, the increasing demands of consumers for faster connection speeds, faster and larger data transfer rates and additional features means that system architecture and components become outdated rapidly. Consumers demand the most for the lowest prices, or they will simply move their business to a competing network. They also demand complete coverage no matter where they go, which means that if they are receiving poor quality reception or no reception at all, they are considering options that will provide these things to them. All of these factors create a situation where the telecom industry operates in the most intense competitive space possible, always pushing the limits further and further as far as providing the best services for the cheapest prices. Oddly enough, a lot of the edge for one company over another may come down to something as simple as surge protection devices. (more…)

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/industrial-surge-protection/

In today’s industrial business landscape, the reliance upon higher tech equipment grows every year. Businesses once operated with far less technical capacity, and their reliance upon data and control systems was astoundingly low when compared to today’s modern industrial businesses. The integration of sensitive electronic equipment like microprocessors and circuit driven components provides business with the ability to function on higher levels than ever previously seen, but also makes these businesses more susceptible to outages and damage as a result of grid-side electrical surges and natural events such as lightning. The automation of many types of businesses and integration of sophisticated manufacturing systems creates higher vulnerability and potential for damage and outage and interruptions as a result of fluctuations within the power system.  Catastrophic failure is not the only threat, and losses also mount as a result of system interruptions as well as the premature aging of equipment, which ultimately leads to failure.  One of the primary functions of business analysis today is to drive down costs that have been previously identified as avoidable. The development and creation of high functioning surge protection devices, as well as the more elaborate integration of these types of devices within industrial systems, has aided in driving down costs and ultimately improving of business capacity across the board. Only through the systematic analysis of weak spots within the systems have we been able to identify methodologies and product improvements that will assist businesses in the avoidance of surge related damage and outages. Surges must be avoided through the integration of these types of devices facility wide, being seen at all stages of the distribution system from the electrical service entrance all the way to the single-phase loads. While the damage to equipment that is the  result of direct strikes from lightning are nearly unavoidable, the downstream effects of surges can have a grave effect if left unchecked. These are the areas that can be protected through the integration of surge protection equipment on the industrial level. These are the areas that business can be improved with the development of better SPD technology or the more effective integration throughout the entire system of these types of devices. (more…)

Read More: https://www.raycap.com/industrial-surge-protection/

In order to fully understand how industrial surge protection devices add improved functionality within a wide range of industrial businesses, we must understand the different types of electrical fluctuations that can happen, and the different types of industrial surge protection that can be integrated. Through a more fully understood environment, we can make strategic decisions that are not only valid globally for all types of industries but also specific for one type of installation in order to improve its overall up times as well as equipment loss or repair rates.  Industrial surge protection is capable of being wired in 2 different ways. An in-line connection has a conductor to route load current to the surge protective device itself, and a separate conductor routes the current from the surge device to the load. A T-connection is also referred to as a parallel connection. In this type of setup, a separate wire will connect the main load wire to the surge device. This case has an  extra line length in between the protection itself and the wire which it is protecting. Additional line lengths can result in the passing of additional voltage. Which type of set up is most appropriate will depend upon the individual circumstances in which the installation occurs. (more…)

Your Solar Power Generator Needs PV Surge Protection

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Photovoltaic (PV) surge protection is critical to the ongoing operations of your solar power generator or solar power production system.  The production of electricity using solar methods has grown significantly over the last decade, and is being utilized by both industrial producers as well as home consumers.  The systems are made up of control equipment that is connected to solar panels which are installed in regions exposed to the sun.  Generally, your solar panels will be ideally situated in a completely unobstructed area where sunlight will be able to be collected and harvested as much as possible.  Because of the need to utilize as much exposure as possible in order to create the most efficient system for power production, the solar panels themselves are at risk.  Because of their physical makeup of being flat and large, and their installation being in regions that do not provide much as far as obstruction, they usually take up the most square footage of any other structure in that area or are on top of homes and buildings.  Basic science tells us that lightning is attracted to the tallest structures which are connected to the ground in a region.  Unfortunately, in this situation that structure is either your solar panels on the roof or something that your solar panels are connected to.  This makes them a prime target for lightning strikes, however the replacement of solar panels that are damaged by lightning strikes does not usually make up most costs associated with operation.  The damage that makes up the largest costs is usually seen to the control equipment which is connected via power lines to the panels themselves.  This control equipment can be located long distances from the panels themselves, but a strike directly to the panels or within the surrounding area can cause a substantial power surge to travel along those power lines and ultimately overwhelm the sensitive equipment that is used to control the system.  Within the residential solar installations, one of the most common causes of damage is a failure to properly ground this system to the earth.  Because many areas of the country do not provide the best ground in opportunities, many residential system operators will fail to provide proper grounding.  Another significant cause of damage is the failure to install additional PV surge protection devices along the power lines themselves.  The system has the ability to operate without this additional equipment installation but operates at the risk of power surge damage at all times.  Owners who do not provide the adequate surge protection devices installed along the power lines or at the inverter will many times lose equipment to lightning strikes that happen even in adjacent areas. If this is as a result of cost or as a result of inadequate surge protection device construction, the ultimate cost is the loss of the equipment and the necessary repairs to get the system back online and producing power.  Anyone operating a solar power generating system should always invest in the most technologically advanced surge protection devices available in order to protect their investment.  Raycap provides the most technologically advanced PV surge protection devices on the market today.