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Lightning Protection: Why it's critical to meet Australian standards

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 08:34:38 GMT

Lightning strikes are an unpredictable natural phenomenon, and one we often experience here in Queensland, especially during our long, hot summers.

It will strike without warning or reason on buildings, antennas, and other made-made structures.

Did you know that an average lightning bolt can carry a current of 10,000 to 30,000 amps?

And that the temperature of a lightning bolt can be up to 30,000°C?

Another interesting fact to note is that around the world, thunderstorms produce some 6,000 lightning strikes per minute. Yes, per minute!

No wonder just one lighting strike can cause destruction not only to equipment and systems (including computer, electrical and telecommunications systems) within a building but also to businesses through loss of revenue and insufficient insurance.

With these facts in mind, every business (and building) should be protected. There is an Australian Standard for Lightning Protection (AS/NZS:1768) which helps us determine risk levels of different structures and the required protection level.

The good news is that while lightning is unpredictable, the way your equipment and building can be protected is simple and predictable, and can even save you on building insurance if your building is higher risk.

If you don’t have a lightning protection system in place, now is the time to consider it, as investing in lightning protection now will reduce the heartache and financial burden you will suffer in the event of a direct lightning strike.

A direct strike occurs when lightning directly hits a structure, or a cable attached to a structure. The energy contained within the lightning travels through the structure or cable to the earth.

How can Expert Energy help you avoid this kind of catastrophic damage and protect your business or building against direct lightning strikes?

By installing a lightning protection system, your structure’s risk can be greatly lowered. This can include as little as surge protection of the consumer mains or a full rooftop system with multiple air terminals, down conductors and a sufficient earth grid.

We are also accredited installers of the Eritech System 3000 Dynasphere system. This is a very different LPS which attracts all lightning in the area to one single point, where it is discharged efficiently to a sufficient earthing system.

A lighting protection system provides a means by which the lightning discharge may enter and/or leave earth without passing through and damaging non-conducting parts of a structure, such as those made of wood, brick, tile, or concrete (aka a building).

Obviously, no one can prevent lightning from striking. The addition of a lightning protection system provides a means for controlling its discharge and preventing damage by providing a low resistance path for the discharge of lightning energy.

How can Expert Energy help your business or building with lightning protection?

Expert Energy Co. is your trusted and reliable electrical expert. From power quality and power factor correction, to lightning protection and lighting design, Expert Energy Co. can assist with all things commercial and industrial.

We are a f amily business with a passion for the electrical industry, quality workmanship and honest service, and we will happily assess your building and provide a free, no-obligation risk assessment for the most suitable lightning protection system. We can also complete your annual lightning protection audits on existing systems to make sure they will stand to the pressures of a direct strike.

Power Factor Correction: Reduce your electricity costs!

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 01:21:39 GMT

So, what is power factor correction and how can it help reduce your electricity costs?

Firstly, let’s explore the concept of power factor, which is defined as the ratio of real power flowing to the load versus the apparent power in the circuit, and is usually shown as a number between 0 and 1.

Basically, it is the percentage of amps supplied (by an electric utility or other source) that actually performs work in your electrical system.

The higher the power factor, the more proportion of your supplied power is being used for useful work and the more efficient your site is at utilising the supplied power.

In summary, power factor is an expression of energy efficiency and a measure of how effectively and efficiently power is being used in your electrical system.

Why is power factor important?

Because, if your system isn’t performing efficiently, you may be paying for power that you cannot use to power your business and equipment. No one wants that!

Improving your power factor may result in less current being drawn, less heat and greater productivity and longevity for your electrical system.

So, yes, power factor correction can be extremely beneficial, especially when it comes to reducing the cost of your electricity bill.

How are you charged for power?

Traditionally, our electricity has been charged according to a kW (kilowatt) demand tariff which is known as ‘real power’.

With this approach, you are charged for the electricity you actually use.

However, in Australia if you are a large demand customer or business you will now be charged according to a kVA (kilovolt-ampere) demand tariff, which is commonly known as ‘apparent power’ (or real power plus reactive power). You can find the KVA Demand charge on your bill to determine if you are charged in this way.

Every electrical facility consumes an amount of reactive power. This energy is considered ‘wasted’ as it does not perform useful work.

How are you charged for power?

Traditionally, our electricity has been charged according to a kW (kilowatt) demand tariff which is known as ‘real power’.

With this approach, you are charged for the electricity you actually use.

Every electrical facility consumes an amount of reactive power. This energy is considered ‘wasted’ as it does not perform useful work.

What's the solution?

Installing power factor correction equipment, of course. This will help to reduce your peak kVA demand tariff which will result in significant savings in your electricity bill. We all want to save money. We offer both traditional power factor correction units which are a switched capacitor bank, but also work with more modern SVG (Static VAR Generator) Units. Every electricity facility is different so let us determine what works best for your systems.

But this is just one of many benefits, including:

Significant savings on your power bill – save between 10% and 30% (on average)
Return on investment in 18 to 36 months (approx.)
Reduced burden on infrastructure resulting in less maintenance costs, ongoing servicing or spare parts
Increased load carrying capabilities in existing circuits
Improved voltage
Improved output of large-scale solar PV
Avoid power factor penalties
Reduce demand charges
Reduce power system losses
Corrects lagging and leading PF

How can Expert Energy help your business with power factor correction equipment?

We are a family business with a passion for the electrical industry, quality workmanship and honest service, and we will happily assess your bill and determine whether you need power factor correction. We will also create a tailored solution for your business to ensure you maximise your return on investment.

Call us today for a free, no-obligation discussion.