Dissipation Array® System (DAS®)
Engineered No-Strike Lightning Protection
The Dissipation Array® System (DAS®) prevents lightning strikes by reducing the local, storm-induced electric fields, interrupting the formation of upward streamers, thus preventing lightning strikes in the protected area. Because direct strikes are prevented, most secondary effects are also eliminated.
With a success rate of over 99%, DAS works with grounding and surge protection technologies to provide complete protection from lightning-related phenomena. Contact us for your DAS solution.
Benefits of DAS
- Prevents direct strikes to the protected site and the device itself
- Prevents fire, equipment damage, downtime, loss of life, loss of product, and the environmental effects associated with lightning strikes.
- Exceptional return on investment, saving up to 85% of maintenance, repair, fire suppression, and replacement costs.
- Reduces risk of electrical impulses (EMP) on electrical service lines, instrument lines, datacomm lines, etc. or data and control lines.
- Eliminates the risk of flash over on Transmission & Distribution lines.
Applications
To account for all the different structures that need lightning protection, we have designed several different DAS configurations. These configurations allow for installation on almost any structure, for virtually any industry. Each DAS expands the protected area, so a protection system can be a small as a single communications tower, or as large as busy petrochemical facility. Contact us for DAS lightning protection recommendations.
Common DAS Applications Include:
- Continuous process plants, such as refineries and chemical plants.
- Buildings of all types.
- Power generating stations and substations
- Petroleum Storage Tanks
- Smoke Stacks
- Towers of any type, such as broadcasting, cellular, meteorological, etc. Offshore Platforms.
DAS FAQ
Q. How long will a DAS system last?
A. Under normal conditions, Dissipation Array® Systems (DAS®) will have a service life of over 20 years. A corrosive environment may shorten service life; LEC can use special materials for extended service life in corrosive environments. In addition, re-certification or full maintenance services can extend the DAS service life far beyond average. Please notify LEC of any problems with your system so we can repair or modify it during the warranty period.
Q. Have DAS-protected area ever been hit by lightning?
A. Yes, however, it is extremely rare. Less than 1% of DAS’s have failed to prevent all strikes. All occurrences have been in earlier prototypes, or in systems that have not been properly maintained. If a lightning strike were to terminate in the protected area, it would terminate on the DAS itself, and the current would be conducted to ground. Please inform LEC of the potential issues with your DAS, and other related systems, so that corrective action can be taken. Read testimonials from clients with DAS systems.
Q. How does NFPA-780 apply?
A. DAS® technology is Charge Transfer System rather than a strike collection system. Since NFPA-780 deals only with strike collection (air terminals), it is not applicable to DAS. LEC can however supply lightning protection systems that are compliant with both NFPA-780 and UL-96A, using the Spline Ball Terminal (SBT).
Additional Resources and Documentation
