Will AC powered Davis transmitter attract lightning?

[Chris Alemany]

Hi all,
Apologies that this is not strictly weewx related but I'm hoping the combined experience here will help.
My solar powered davis transmitter that I use only for my anemometer appears to have failed so I am looking at replacing it. It is on my roof and the anemometer is the highest point. I do have power available nearby now but I'm worried I'll be creating a lightning rod if I go with the AC option.
It is a very exposed spot, the solar transmitter lasted 8 years.
Thoughts?

Cheers
Chris
Sent from my iPad

[Ernest Jillson]

Nothing specifically attracts lightning. Generally the tallest object in an area is more prone to be hit. This is regardless of what it is made out of. That said, if lightning did hit your anemometer, the surge will travel through whatever it finds that conducts electricity, including data lines and power lines. It's a good idea to make sure your setup is properly grounded. That won't 100 percent protect you from a direct hit, but it can save you in the event of a close strike with "fringe" effects.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Ernie

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[jerry...@gmail.com]

I don't know what lines you have running to your anemometer, but we have a number of elevated outdoor PoE WiFi APs and we use the Ubiquiti ethernet surge suppressors on the RJ45 / Cat 5e cables.  About $12 from Amazon.  They are consumables.  One time use, then buy another.  But it could save your PoE or other power source.

[Chris Alemany]

Thank you both. That does help. My pole/anemometer is definitely amonsgt the tallest objects in the immediate vicinity which is why I am worried about it. I think I am going to go with the solar station just to avoid the need for more cabling, but I am also going to make a point of grounding the mounting pole which is something I have not done before and which should protect my multiple devices on the roof.

Thanks again.

Chris

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[Karen K]

There are additional precautions. Do you have a lightning conductor at your house? If so, use that for grounding the post, where the anemometer is mounted. If not, you have to lie a wire. That wire should be at least 30 cm (1 foot) away from all other wires in the house. The best way is to mount it outside at the wall. I would recommend to use at least 16 mm^2 (AVG 6), better 25 mm^2 (AVG 4). Never, never use some PE wire that is found somewhere in the house. That would result in danger to all the electronic equipment in the house.

Grounding resistance needs to be measured by someone who knows about that. Otherwise you can't be sure it works.