GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and base stations form the basis of the modern world communication network and are vital for voice and data communication. Especially for emergencies, commercial transactions and daily communication, these structures must be in constant active operation. However, natural events such as lightning can pose a serious threat to these systems. A direct hit of lightning or damage to GSM and base stations through electromagnetic surges can cause interruptions in communication networks and damage to devices. Therefore, protection of these systems against lightning and overvoltage effects is of great importance both economically and socially.
Lightning and Surge Protection of GSM and Base Station Towers
The protection of GSM and base station towers from lightning and overvoltage is provided by integrating external lightning systems, internal lightning systems, earthing, equipotential bonding and LV surge arrester protection techniques within the framework of IEC-62305 standard.
The external lightning system prevents direct strikes through lightning rods and conductors. In external lightning protection systems, the sphere method and the protection angle method should be used for the positioning of lightning arresters. In addition, it is important to add extinguishing elements at the points where the rods are connected to prevent random current transients. While the cross-section and material of the conductors used in this system vary according to the magnitude and frequency of lightning, the surface protection of the conductors is critical for resistance to environmental conditions such as wind. For this reason, cross-section and condition analyses should be performed before the application and it should be ensured that all system elements are within the protection area. In internal lightning systems, sensitive equipment such as electronic devices are protected against indirect effects by using lightning protectors and current dampers. In these systems, protection is provided against lightning strikes and overvoltage pulses by creating different zones according to sensitivity.
Bir diğer koruma yapısı olan topraklama ve eş potansiyel
sistemi, idealde 10 ohm altında bir direnç değeri ile yıldırım darbesini güvenli
bir şekilde yere aktarmakta, bu da yerel koşullara ve bölgenin toprağın
iletkenliğine bağlı olarak değişkenlik gösterebilmektedir. Eş potansiyel sistem
ayrıca farklı metal yapıları ve elektrik sistemlerini aynı potansiyele
getirerek potansiyel farkları azaltır ve yıldırımın dolaylı etkilerine karşı
koruma sağlar.
AG Parafudr korumada ise; Tip 1, Tip 2 ve Tip 3
koruyucularla yıldırım ve aşırı gerilim kaynaklı ani gerilim artışları sınırlanarak
cihazların güvenliğini ayrıca artırılmaktadır. Farklı uygulamalara göre
parafudrların dağınık yerleşimi söz konusu ise mutlaka ideal bir sistem ve
selektivite analizinin yapılması, ve buna uygun konumlandırmanın yapılması
gerekmektedir. Bu sistemlerin entegre uygulanışı, GSM ve baz istasyonu kulelerinin
etkili bir şekilde korunmasını sağlayarak haberleşme altyapısının sürekliliğini
ve güvenliğini sağlamaktadır.
Another protection structure, the earthing and equipotential system, ideally transfers the lightning strike safely to the ground with a resistance value below 10 ohms, which may vary depending on local conditions and the conductivity of the soil in the area. Equipotential system also reduces potential differences by bringing different metal structures and electrical systems to the same potential and provides protection against indirect effects of lightning.
In LV surge arrester protection; Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 protectors limit sudden voltage increases caused by lightning and overvoltage and increase the safety of the devices. In case of dispersed placement of surge arresters according to different applications, an ideal system and selectivity analysis must be made and appropriate positioning must be made accordingly. The integrated application of these systems ensures the continuity and security of the communication infrastructure by providing effective protection of GSM and base station towers.