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System 3000 comprises the following elements:

• Dynasphere™ air terminal

• ERICORE™ downconductor

• Purpose designed low impedance ground system

• LEC IV lightning event counter

What is the System?

The ERITECH® System 3000 is a technically advanced lightning protectionsystem. The unique features of this system allow the achievement ofsuperior technical performance, and hence more reliable lightningcapture.

The Dynasphere™ air terminal provides a preferred point for lightningdischarges which would otherwise strike and damage an unprotectedstructure and/or its contents. The Dynasphere™ is connected to an ERICORE™ downconductor and the ground system in such a way as toprovide a totally integrated system.

Lightning Down Leader

Upleader

F.R.P. Support

Inspection Pit

Ground Rods

Lightning Event Counter

Inline Coupling

ERICORE Downconductor

Metallic Lower Mast

Stainless Steel Cable Tie

Mounting Brackets

Dynasphere TerminalThis Illustration is not drawn to scale. It is designed to illustrate a typical application for a facility and shows all of the components which comprise the ERITECH System 3000 Lightning Protection System and their relationship with one another.

ERITECH® SYSTEM 3000

DownconductorSaddle

Figure 16. Diagram showsun-congested installation ofERITECH® System 3000.

ERITECH® System 3000 Air Terminal

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The Dynasphere™ Enhanced AirTerminal

The patented ERITECH® System 3000Dynasphere™ is an enhanced air terminal. Itfeatures the following:

• Non radio-active• Not externally powered• Has no moving parts• Responds dynamically to the approach

of a lightning downleader.

Principles of the Dynasphere™

For over 200 years little improvement was made in lightningprotection systems.

Modern research and recording methods have led to a betterunderstanding of the lightning discharge process, and variousbreakthroughs have been achieved in the simulation of lightningelectric-field conditions.

Two fundamental concepts have emerged from recent researchinto the lightning attachment process and air terminal perform-ance:

1. Air terminals that produce copious quantities of corona (space charge) are likely to be less efficient in the interception of a lightning downward leader.

2. An optimum air terminal is one which launches an upward streamer when it is highly likely to convert into a stable, propagating leader (to intercept the downward leader)

The ERITECH® System 3000 Dynasphere™ has been developedwith these two concepts in mind.

The Dynasphere™ is an enhanced Franklin rod with a sphericaldome which is capacitively coupled to the electric field of anapproaching lightning downleader.

This spherical conductive surface surrounds a central earthedlightning rod. The sphere is insulated from the rod but connect-ed to ground via a high impedance with DC conduction.

The Dynasphere is isolated from the structure using an insu-lated support mast. The mast also enables the safe connec-tion of the ERICORE downconductor to the air terminal.

Final positionof FRP mast

End of mast fits up to lower edgeof mast adaptor

Finial Tip - included with D/S

DYNASPHERE(Terminal only)Approx Weight 4kg

Warning Label - Included with D/S

35528

085 Ø45

Ø70

Ø60

Upper Termination Kit (See Insert)E1 ERICOREE2 ERICORE

ERICORE DOWNCONDUCTORE1 - 50mm2/24mm OD (1.0 kg/m)E2 - 50mm2/36mm OD (1.75 kg/m)

F.R.P. Upper Support Mast2m (approx weight 3.5 kg)

In-line Coupling including ERICOREExit and Guy Wire attachment eyes

KEVLAR Guy Wire Kit4m and 7m, or lengths as required

Conductive Saddles every 1 metre

Aluminium Lower Mast Base (welded to Aluminium Mast)

Aluminium Lower Mast Assembly (70mm OD)

Warning Label to be positioned at or near eye level (Included with D/S)

ERICORE DOWNCONDUCTOR(Minimum bending radius 0.5m)

Conductive Saddles (one required every 1-2 metres)Note: other suitable stainless steel strapping may be used.

Lightning Event Counter (approx. weight 0.5 kg)Fit as desired. See installation handbook for alternative locations.

Lower Termination Kit

Earth Rod Connector - included in Lower Termination Kit

Central Ground Rod

Ground Enhancement Material (GEM™)

Copper Earth Tape

200068 O.D.

60 I.D.

160

495

1.5m

6m a

s re

quire

d

160

175

Note: This is one of several alternative installation methods.See installation handbook for further details.Consult handbookbefore erection.

ERITECH® System 3000 Air Terminal

The System 3000 Dynasphere air terminal.AIR TERMINAL

Figure 17. System 3000™ Component Diagram.

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How it worksIn the “static”thunderstorm phase, the electricfields are only slowly varying, with magnitudesin the range 5-15 kV/m. During this time, andeven in the early stages of leader approach, thesphere remains effectively grounded via the highimpedance static drain unit. It presents a surfaceof sufficiently low field intensification in order tominimise corona and, hence, prevent the inhibit-ing effects of a space charge volume.

ERITECH® System 3000 Air Terminal

On the closer approach of the downwardleader, the sphere rises in voltage via capacitivecoupling. When the voltage is high enough, atriggering arc is created across the air gapbetween the sphere and grounded rod.

The triggering arc has two effects, namely: (i) itproduces the large number of free electronsneeded to initiate an upward streamer, and (ii)

Dynasphere shown here under test conditions - generateddown leader triggers upward leader.

Ground Rod

Downconductor

Air Gap

Grounded Rod

Ground Rod

Downconductor

Air Gap

ElectricallyFloating Dome

High ImpedanceStatic DrainUnit

CapacitiveCoupling

Ground Rod

Downconductor

Air Gap

Domerises inpotential

Air Gap

Dynasphere™ Enhanced Air TerminalCapture point of the ERITECH® System 3000. Initiates an upward leaderduring storm conditions to capture lightning discharges over a greater radiusthan conventional protection.

Height: 460mm (183/4in.)Diameter: 354mm (147/16in.)Weight: 3.7kg (8lbs.)Colours: Gold and Silver

S P E C I F I C A T I O N S

Figure 18. Static Thunderstorm Phase.

AIR TERMINAL

it causes a sudden increase in the electric fieldabove the air terminal, which provides addit-ional energy to initiate and convert a streamer.This guarantees stable leader propagation, andhence ensures reliable lightning capture. Thesize of the air gap is optimised so that a trig-gering arc only occurs when the electric field ishigh enough to ensure a stable upward leadercan be developed to successfully intercept thedownward leader.

The Dynasphere™ has been designed to meet all of the criteria necessary for the controlled emissionof a streamer. The concept of “controlled” is important because there is no point launching astreamer too early - the ambient field will not be large enough to convert the streamer to a leaderand so the streamer will cease to propagate. This will leave a space charge behind which can inhibitfuture initiation attempts.

Leading scientists agree that the electric field required to initiate and sustain stable upward leaderpropagation is in the range 300 - 500 kV/m for a positive upward leader and approximately 1 MV/mfor a negative upward leader. The triggering of the Dynasphere™ at the correct time in relation to thedescent of the downward leader is the key to its more reliable performance.

Characteristics of an optimum air terminal

• Minimal pre-strike corona/space charge• Streamers released only when the ambient field can sustain leader initiation and propagation

Both of these characteristics require a blunt configuration.

Figure 19. Dynamic Thunderstorm Phase. Figure 20. Controlled Triggering Streamer Phase.

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ERITECH® System 3000 Downconductor

DOWNCONDUCTOR

SEMI-CONDUCTIVEOUTER SHEATH

MAIN CONDUCTOR

MAIN COPPER TAPESCREEN

POLYETHYLENE H.V. INSULATION

SEMI-CONDUCTIVESTRESS CONTROL LAYER

SEMI-CONDUCTIVESTRESS CONTROL LAYER

PLASTIC FILLER TO INCREASEEFFECTIVE DIAMETER OFCORE CONDUCTOR(Inductance - Skin Effect)

METAL SADDLES SECURECABLE & BOND OUTERSCREEN TO STRUCTURE

Technical and Design Characteristics ofERICORE™

The ERICORE™ downconductors have been designed tomeet all of the criteria for an effective and reliable down-conductor, with the following key characteristics:

• a low inductance per unit length• a low surge impedance• a carefully controlled internal electric field distribution

to minimise field stresses under current impulse conditions

• carefully designed, stress reducing upper termination

Figure 22. Cutaway diagram showing the composite layers of ERICORE™

downconductor.

Table 3. Example of the difference in reliability between a conventional downconductor and a screened,insulated downconductor. Based on the ERICORE E2.

The System 3000 ERICORE™ downconductor is easily retro-fited to exist-ing structures. Inset: Lightning Event Counted (LEC IV) installed to registerstrikes to System 3000.

To understand the technical value of the cable, it is first necessary to review theproblems associated with normal down conductors. Figure 21 shows how the self-inductance of a normal conductor causes very high voltages to be developed.

A value of inductance of 1.6 microhenries/metre is normally regarded as quite small.However, when a current is impressed which is rising at the rate of 1010 Amperes persecond, the effect of this inductance becomes dominant. As an example, a single 60metre downconductor will rise to a value in excess of 1,000,000 volts with theapplication of an average discharge. It is for this reason that the ERICOREdownconductor has a significant advantage over conventional downconductors.

The ERICORE™ Downconductor

As part of the ERITECH System 3000, the screened, insulated ERICORE™ downconduc-tor conveys the lightning discharge current to ground with minimal danger of sideflash-ing. A unique semi-conductive outer sheath allows electrostatic bonding of the buildingthrough cable securing saddles.

The ERICORE™ downconductor evolved after extensive studies of potential voltage risein structures due to lightning injection. This cable comprises carefully selected dielectricmaterials, as shown in Figure 22, which create capacitive balance and ensure insulationintegrity under high impulse conditions.

The unique ability of ERICORE™ to confine a discharge current and simultaneouslysupport electrical bonding ensures minimal risk to building, occupants and sensitiveelectronics.

E = IR + Ldi

For 30kA peak discharge current

E = 195 + 48000 volts per metre of downconductor= 48195 volts per metre of downconductor

This is equivalent to 60 x 48195 volts for the run= 2.892 mega volts for 60m of downconductor

Self inductance of simple downconductor= 1.6 microhenry/metre

Current rise time = 1 microsecond

60 metre35mm2 Copper Wire

dt

E

E

Figure 21. The effect of self inductance in a single downconductor.

Lightning parameters Cable voltage developed at injection point (kV)

Peak current % of larger Max. dI/dt Conventional ERICORE(kA) currents (GA/s) downconductor downconductor

10 92 12 580 13

30 55 40 1900 44

50 25 77 3700 85

90 5 160 7700 180

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ERICORE™ offers purpose-designed performance in each phase of the lightning control process toconvey the energy safely to the grounding system.

As an example, consider the following comparison between the same 50 m length of conventionaldownconductor (25mm x 3mm copper tape) and ERICORE™ downconductor, using the air break-down electric field (nominally 3 MV/m) and cable termination voltage (200 kV) as the criterion for“failure” of the downconductors.

The conventional downconductor will, conservatively, cause a flashover or structure dielectric break-down when carrying lightning currents of only ~ 30 kA. On the other hand, the ERICORE™screened/insulated downconductor can easily deal with lightning currents of 90 kA. This magnitudeof lightning current is exceeded in only ~ 5 % of lightning events or approximately once every 30years in a region with a ground flash density of 5 strikes/km2/yr (approximately 80 thunder days/yr).

Main Benefits

• Lightning impulse is contained within the cable and the semiconductive outer sheath is bondedto the structure via metallic saddles which means that the risk of sideflashing is negligible

• The low characteristic impedance of the cable minimises internal dielectric failure

• The cable is able to be routed away from sensitive equipment, electrical wiring, structural steel and human work areas

• Use of a single downconductor as opposed to multiple downconductors

• Ease of installation

• Minimal maintenance

ERITECH® System 3000 Downconductor

DOWNCONDUCTOR

ERICORE Downconductor

Purpose designed cables, using a copper 50mm2 (1/0 AWG) main conductor tosafely convey the lightning energy to ground, while minimising side flashing.

Downconductor: E1 E2Diameter: 24mm (1”) 36mm (17/16”)Weight: 1.0kg / metre 1.8kg / metre

10.3oz / ft. 19oz / ft.

S P E C I F I C A T I O N S

Stage 1Z0 dominant

Stage 3R dominant

Stage 2L dominant

Indu

ctan

ce (I

)Time (t)

Stage 1 - Impedance (Z)

Zo = √ Cable voltage determined by Zo

Stage 2 - Inductance (L)

V L Cable voltage determined by inductance and its rate of change

Stage 3 - Resistance (R)

IR. Cable voltage determined by L&R but L is small or negative due to small dI/dt.

CL

dldt

Figure 23. Typical lightning waveform.

ERICORE™ Sizes

ERICO offers two different sizes of ERICORE™

screened/insulated downconductors, the “E1”and the “E2”. The central conductor of eachcable has the same cross-sectional area butother key electrical and physical characteristicsvary. Table 4 summarises the key characteristicsof each of these cables.

ERICO representatives should be contacted todetermine the size of cable that best suits spe-cific applications.

Characteristic E1 E2

Characteristic impedance (Ω) 6.7 4.5

Inductance (nH/m) 33 22

Capacitance (pF/m) 750 1100

Cross Sectional Area of Conductor - mm2 50 50

Resistance (mΩ/m) 0.4 0.5

Upper Termination Voltagewithstand (kV) 200 200

Why Use ERICORE™?

The ERICORE™ downconductor cables are pur-pose-designed low inductance, low impedance,cables designed to minimise voltage build-updue to lightning impulses. This cable providessignificantly higher performance than any nor-mal HV cable and is specially designed for thecontrol of lightning impulses.

The main danger in controlling lightningimpulses is the very fast voltage and current risetimes following the capture of the lightningstrike.

To further understand the technical value of thecable, it is necessary to review the lightningmechanism and resulting voltage buildup. Thevoltage between inner conductor and outersheath is determined by three different parame-ters. These are dominant at different stagesduring the operation of the cable in conveyinglightning energy to ground (as shown in Figure23 and summarised in Table 5).

Table 4. Characteristics of ERICORE™ E1 and E2 down-conductor.

Table 5. Summary of the three main stages ofERICORE operation.

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OTHER COMPONENTS

FRP Mast

Purpose-designed Fibreglass Reinforced Plastic,manufactured from non-hydroscopic epoxy andglass laminate, provides an insulated mast formounting the Dynasphere™.

Lengths: 2m (811/2in.) & 4.6m (1873/4in.)

Inside Diameter: 60mm (23/8in.)Outside Diameter: 68mm (211/16in.)Weight: 2m = 3.3kg (71/4lbs.)

4.6m = 7.6kg (163/4lbs.)Colours: White or Black

Aluminium Mast

Light weight lower mast material.

Lengths: 3, 4, 5 & 6m (1221/2, 1631/4, 204 & 245in.)

Inside diameter: 61.9mm (27/16in)Outside diameter: 69.9mm (21/4in.)Weight: 2.4kg / metre

Stainless Steel Cable Tie

Purpose-designed cable tie for securing ofERICORE™ down-conductor to structures.

Length: 521mm (201/2in.)Width: 7.9mm (5/16 in.)Material: Stainless SteelMaximum Bundle 152mm (6 in.)Diameter:Minimum Loop 250lbs.Tensile Strength:

Inline Coupling

Purpose-designed coupling to clamp FRP toaluminium lower mast, providing 3 guyanchoring points and downconductor exitpoint.

Max. Clamping 70mm (27/8in.)diameter:Max. Clamping 55kg/cm (45in.lb)torque:Weight: 2.4kg (51/4lbs.)Height added to 200mm (77/8in.)mast:

Terminal Lug Coupling

The Terminal Lug Coupling allows forconnection of a conventional downconductorsuch as 25mm x 3mm copper tape/bar to theMark III Dynasphere™. See Upper TerminationInstructions for fixing of coupling toDynasphere™.

Material: Brass Alloy 384DLength: 68.75mm (211/16in.)Weight: 181 grams (6.38 oz.)Diameter: 25.4mm (1in.)

Guy Ring

Purpose-designed Guy Ring, providing 3 guyanchoring points from the neck of theDynasphere™.

Height: 105.25mm (42/16in.)Inside Diameter: 60mm (26/16in.)Outside Diameter: 91mm (31/2in.)Material: Cast AluminiumGuy Hole Diameter: 10mm (6/16in.)

Guy Kit

Purpose-designed guying Kits for anchoringfrom a Guy Ring or Inline Coupling. Each kitcomes complete with six stainless steelthimbles, plus 18 guying grips per kit.

4m Guy Kit 7m Guy KitGuy Diameter: 4mm (5/32 in.) 5mm (3/16 in.)Actual Guy 6m (201/2 ft.) 10m (34 ft.)Length:Guy Tensile 430kg (946lb.) 560kg (1232lb.)Strength:

ERICORE Downconductor Saddles

Purpose-designed saddles for securingof downconductor to structure.

Saddle E1 Saddle E2Pack Size: 5 5Material: Stainless Stainless

Steel 316 Steel 316Length: 103mm (4 in.) 114.5mm(41/2in.)Thickness: 1.2mm (1/16 in.) 1.2mm (1/16 in.)Fixing Hole 6mm (4/16 in.) 6mm (4/16 in.)Diameter:Width: 25.5mm (1 in.) 25.5mm (1 in.)

ERITECH® System 3000 Air Terminal