Incipient lightning detection and device protection

An apparatus for protecting an electrical device from potentially damaging electrical fields, the apparatus comprising:

• means for detecting the incipient presence of a potentially damaging electrical field and for generating a signal indicative thereof;
• and,
• means responsive to the signal of the detecting means for disconnecting said electrical device from a normal operating circuit and for electrically grounding the electrical device;
• means for determining when the electrical device is operating;
• and,
• means responsive to the operating determining means for disabling the detecting means when the electrical device is determined to be operating.

A method for protecting an electrical device from potentially damaging electrical field levels, the method comprising:

• (1) detecting changes in an electrical field surrounding the detecting means;
• (2) generating a signal when the detected changes indicate the incipient presence of a potentially damaging electrical field level;
• (3) electrically grounding a normally ungrounded circuit of the electrical device in response to the signal;
• and
• (4) electrically grounding the detecting means in response to the signal.

A method for protecting an electrical device from potentially damaging electrical field levels, the method comprising:

• detecting the presence of a potentially damaging electrical field level and generating a signal indicative thereof;
• electrically grounding the electrical device in response to the signal;
• determining when the electrical device is operating;
• and,
• discontinuing the detecting step during operating of the electrical device.

Apparatus for protecting electrical equipment connected therewith from electrical storm damage, said apparatus comprising:

• an incipient lightning detector;
• means connected to said detector for automatically disconnecting and grounding electrical power, telephone line and coaxial cable connections from said equipment in response to detected incipient lightning in the vicinity of said equipment;
• means for automatically ungrounding and restoring said electrical power, telephone line and coaxial cable connections to said equipment after the detected lightning threat has subsided;
• means responsive to the incipient lightning detector for protecting the incipient lightning detector from damage during at least a portion of the period that potentially damaging conditions exist.

A system for protecting electrical devices from potentially damaging atmospherically-generated voltage levels, the system comprising:

• detecting means for detecting a potentially damaging atmospherically-generated voltage level and for producing a control signal when a potentially damaging voltage level is anticipated;
• means responsive to the control signal for electrically grounding a plurality of electrical devices for a predetermined length of time and thereafter removing electrical ground from the electrical devices;
• means for determining when at least one of the electrical devices is operating;
• and
• means responsive to the operating determining means for disabling the detecting means during operation of the at least one electrical device.

A method for protecting electrical devices from potentially damaging atmospherically-generated voltage levels, the method comprising:

• (1) detecting the changes in an atmospheric electrical field;
• (2) generating a control signal when the detected electrical field exceeds a predetermined level;
• (3) electrically grounding a plurality of electrical devices in response to the control signal for a predetermined length of time and thereafter removing electrical ground from the electrical devices;
• (4) determining when at least one of the electrical devices is operating;
• and
• (5) disabling the detecting means during operation of the at least one electrical device.

Apparatus for protecting electrical equipment connected therewith from electrical storm damage, said apparatus comprising:

• an incipient lightning detector;
• means connected to said detector for automatically disconnecting and grounding electrical power, telephone line and coaxial cable connections from said equipment in response to detected incipient lightning in the vicinity of said equipment;
• means for automatically ungrounding and restoring said electrical power, telephone line and coaxial cable connections to said equipment after the detected lightning threat has subsided;
• and
• means to prevent protective equipment disconnection and grounding if at least a predetermined portion of the equipment is being utilized when incipient lightning is detected.