[TowerTalk] Re: Lightning & Power Lines

[Gene Smar]

Doc:

     I assume you're asking whether the nearby pole line will adversely
impact your station's lightning strike vulnerability and survivability.  No,
not significantly.  The fact that you have a power line of that voltage
tells me that your planned home will not be fed directly (via a drop wire
set) from this line.  So no need to worry about burying said drop line
between the poles and your service meter (although you might want to do that
with your actual service entrance cable - have the utility bury it when you
start construction).  Any lightning strike on the power line will probably
create noise (QRN) in your receivers, but then why would you be operating
your station during a thunder/lightning storm?

     The thing I would watch (listen) for would be such QRN from dirty
insulators or other failing equipment on that line.  You might want to
conduct some preliminary tests with a portable AM/SW radio receiver
underneath the line.  Try to get an idea of the type of RF environment
you'll be building next to.  Then, if the noise is significant (your
definition), approach the local utility trouble guys for help.

73 de
Gene Smar  AD3F

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "doc" <kd4e at verizon.net>
To: "'(Reflector) TowerTalk'" <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 5:13 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Re: Lightning & Power Lines


> > It changes so much that when predicting lightning performance of power
> > lines we have to take into account the diameter of the corona around the
> > wires when computing the characteristic impedance of the wires to
> > properly predict currents and voltages.
> > David Robbins K1TTT
>
> Given your familiarity with lightning and power lines I have a
> related but more specific question, please?
>
> We live on a 10 acre lot in the woods.  The lot is 360 x 1600'.
> Along one side is a 70 x 1600 right-of-way on which sit a couple
> of tall poles for what I believe are 5 year old 14,000v lines.
>
> I am planning to locate my tower at the far opposite edge of the
> property 300 feet from the poles.
>
> I am also about to initiate construction of an all-steel 40x60'
> home, the front 40' side of which will be about 200' from the
> poles.
>
> Am I correct in presuming that while the poles are likely to
> be at least as attractive to lightning seeking to discharge
> as my 60 foot tower (plus mast) that they are too far away to
> impact anything I do at the house or tower?
>
> Thanks! & 73, doc kd4e
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