Dehn launches powerful lightning impulse current laboratory
August 2015
News
The extremely high lightning currents, which may occur in the event of direct lightning strikes, are the primary source of lightning damage to structures as well as electrical devices and systems. To prove the effectiveness of protection measures, it is often necessary to perform lightning current tests on complete systems. Dehn’s newly designed test laboratory generates extremely high lightning currents with a peak value up to 400 kA in the standardised 10/350 s test wave form. This powerful test laboratory allows for the testing of lightning protection systems for installations and systems requiring maximum protection.
The performance of the test laboratory has been doubled so that lightning impulse currents twice as high as that required for the maximum lightning protection level (LPL I: 200 kA (10/350 s)) described in the latest IEC 62305-1 lightning protection standard, can now be simulated.
The test centre consists of five different laboratories, extending over a floor space of 800 square metres. It is equipped with the latest devices and technologies essential for developing new products and practical solutions. It offers the following services:
• Testing of surge protective devices (SPDs) according to IEC 61643-11, IEC 61643-21 and UL 1449.
• Testing of surge protective devices (SPDs) used in photovoltaic systems according to EN 50539-11.
• Testing of external lightning protection components according to IEC 62561.
• High-voltage testing with lightning impulses according to IEC 60060-1.
• Complete lightning current tests for low-voltage distribution boards according to IEC 62305-1, IEC 62305-4 and IEC 61643-12.
• A surge immunity test according to IEC 61000-4-5.
• A surge immunity test for telecommunication systems according to ITU-T and CCITT.
• Lightning current tests for wind turbines, photovoltaic systems and cell sites according to IEC 62305-1 and IEC 61400-24.
• Functional testing for low-voltage switchgear installations according to IEC 60947.
For more information contact Alexis Barwise, Dehn Africa, +27 (0)11 704 1487, alexis.barwise@dehn-africa.com, www.dehn-africa.com
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