[TowerTalk] Lightning Observation

[Tom Rauch]

Hi Ford,

> Is it possible that the three lines were temporarily DC biased by the
> lightning?  How do you explain the > 1 second to discharge the lines?

A large part of the problem is because once an arc is started, a 
very much lower voltage sustains the arc. Sometimes a breaker 
actually has to open and reset to stop the system from arcing.

It's the same problem we have with power relays, and why antenna 
relays need to be overkill and not have materials that ionize or 
carbon track easily in the arc path.
73, Tom W8JI
W8JI@contesting.com 

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