High-Voltage Isolation
High voltage environments are susceptible to GPR (Ground Potential Rise) events. In some cases a voltage potential between the ground grid and remote earth may exceed 100Kv. Common location with GPR occurrences include power generating facilities, power substations, towers with high voltage transmission lines, and wireless/PCS collocated and monopole sites.
In all situations where copper telecommunication lines (remote grounds) are allowed into high voltage environments catastrophic failures may occur due to a GPR event, endangering personnel, equipment and critical communication lines.
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Lightning
Lightning protection is one of the key reasons for utilizing fiber optics. Unlike copper wire, the fiber itself is made from dielectric (non conducting) materials, cannot conduct electrical current, and is immune to EM radiation.
Telecommunication equipment and communication lines located at or near power generating facilities, sub stations, high voltage transmission towers, PCS/Wireless and E911 antenna sites, are exposed to potential damage and destruction by lightning strikes, power surges and Ground Potential Rise (GPR) events.
This is an important consideration, because not only is the equipment and related services at risk, but personnel working in these environments are also at risk of serious injury or death should a GPR event or lighting strike occur.
The RLH Fiber Optic Link isolates telecommunication lines by replacing the copper telephone or data cable with an all-dielectric fiber optic cable inside the ZOI (Zone of Influence), completely eliminating the presence of the telephone line ground.
Industrial network components must be capable of withstanding harsh environmental conditions such as extreme temperature ranges as well as lightning strikes, Ground Potential Rise (GPR) events and power surges.
Substations & HVP
Power company substations have communications requirements for applications ranging from a simple telephone, to SCADA and transfer trip protective relaying. Many power companies lease communications services into their substations from local exchange carriers. Leased communications lines are most commonly connected over metallic (copper) wire.
Ground Potential Rise (GPR) occurs at power stations when a fault to ground causes a high voltage potential on the grounding grid relative to remote ground. GPR voltages at substations are commonly between 1 – 20kV. Power stations have extensive grounding and bonding to ensure all structure within the ground grid is at the same electrical potential. When a metallic (copper) telephone cable is installed into a power station it presents a path to remote ground.
For personnel safety, equipment protection, and service reliability, metallic phone lines entering high voltage GPR environments must be isolated from the local ground. The RLH Fiber Optic Link provides high voltage isolation by converting electrical (copper-based) signals into optical (fiber-based) signals. Because fiber optic cables do not contain any metallic members, service can be safely and reliably connected.
It is for this reason that we say that fiber optics are superior to conductive copper in every way when used as a High Voltage Isolation solution. RLH manufactures and provides High Voltage Isolation solutions using only fiber optics. We believe that using anything other than a fiber solution sacrifices personnel safety and reliability of critical equipment. The Fiber Optic Link isolates telecommunication lines by replacing the copper telephone cable with an all-dielectric fiber optic cable within the high voltage area. The Fiber Optic Link can completely eliminate the presence of the telephone line remote ground insuring the safety of personnel and greatly improving equipment reliability.
Industrial network components must be capable of withstanding harsh environmental conditions such as extreme temperature ranges as well as lightning strikes, Ground Potential Rise (GPR) events and power surges.
RLH industrial hardened analog and digital copper to fiber voice/data equipment provides isolation from environmental and outside disturbances in environments ranging from –40 C – +70 C.
Most RLH HVP products are backed by our Limited Lifetime warranty, the best available for isolation equipment, dramatically reducing the cost of ownership and operation. RLH manufactures fiber optic links for all types of Telco services. Contact us today for a solution that fits your needs.