The invention pertains to a dual telescoping lightning diverter system comprising a first telescoping lightning rod assembly and a second telescoping lightning rod assembly. The second assembly is nested within and operatively coupled to the first. Both assemblies are concentrically aligned, enabling them to move between an extended configuration, for increased operational height, and a retracted configuration for compactness and ease of storage. The system includes various features such as independent grounding paths for each assembly, a conductive break between the two assemblies, and an automatic transition mechanism. This mechanism is controlled by environmental parameters, particularly the detection of static charge. Additional features include threaded sections for secure engagement of the telescoping segments and a hierarchical structure of the telescoping segments for efficient extension and retraction, ensuring the system's adaptability and functionality in various settings.

The present apparatus, system and method solves the problems of the prior art by enabling substantial dissipation of an electrical energy surge coming from communications antenna which has been struck by lightning. The apparatus is for mounting to an exterior of a building at or near communications antenna also located at the exterior of the building. The apparatus is connected with incoming coaxial cables extending from exterior mounted antenna and with outgoing coaxial cables which extend from the apparatus to communications equipment housed within a communications center. The lighting strike surge travels from antenna, along the incoming coaxial cable and is redirected within the apparatus by polyphasers which trip at capacity to redirect the surge to three separate grounding bars and prevent the surge from continuing along outgoing coaxial cables leading to communications equipment thus safely dissipating surge and shielding communications equipment.

A one-part or two-part air terminal for protecting a structure against lightning strikes. A flexible adapter, such as a spring, attaches an upper air terminal to a lower air terminal or a one-piece air terminal and base. The flexible adapter allows a flexible engagement between parts of the air terminal and has an internal passageway. A elongate tether couples parts of the air terminal in case the upper air terminal or one-piece air terminal breaks, so as to avoid a broken part from injuring individuals around. The elongate tether may be a ball chain or other type of chain. The elongate tether runs through the internal passageway of the flexible adapter. A base mounts to the one-part or two-part air terminal and mounts the air terminal to the structure. A grounding wire grounds the base to the grounding rod.

A system or method for monitoring an electric power lightning arrester including an arrester current sensor providing an arrester current measurement, and an arrester voltage sensor providing an arrester voltage measurement. The system detects a switching signature based on the arrester current measurement or the arrester voltage measurement distinguished from background noise and lightning signatures and computes a measured arrester impedance based on the arrester current and arrester voltage measurements. The system then compares the measured arrester impedance to a nominal or historical arrester impedance, determines that the arrester is faltering based on the comparison of the measured arrester impedance to the nominal or historical arrester impedance, and places an order for replacement of the arrester based on the determination that the arrester is faltering. The system operator then replaces the arrester during a fair-weather, typically off-peak period to avoid failure of the arrester during a lightning strike.

A non-destructive testing system includes a test article interface and a reference article interface. The test article interface includes a connector to couple to a metal component of an article under test (AUT) and a connector to couple to a carbon fiber composite component of the AUT. The reference article interface includes a connector to couple to a metal component of a reference article (REF) and a connector to couple to a carbon fiber composite component of the REF. The system also includes sensors to generate signals based on voltage and current thermoelectrically induced between the test article interface and the reference article interface, where the current and the voltage are based on a temperature difference between the AUT and the REF. The system also includes a processor to generate, based on the signals, an output indicating whether the AUT is expected to pass a lightning strike test.

The present apparatus, system and method solves the problems of the prior art by enabling substantial dissipation of an electrical energy surge coming from communications antenna which has been struck by lightning. The apparatus is for mounting to an exterior of a building at or near communications antenna also located at the exterior of the building. The apparatus is connected with incoming coaxial cables extending from exterior mounted antenna and with outgoing coaxial cables which extend from the apparatus to communications equipment housed within a communications center. The lighting strike surge travels from antenna, along the incoming coaxial cable and is redirected within the apparatus by polyphasers which trip at capacity to redirect the surge to three separate grounding bars and prevent the surge from continuing along outgoing coaxial cables leading to communications equipment thus safely dissipating surge and shielding communications equipment.

Systems and methods for dynamically defending a site from lightning strikes are provided. The systems and methods involve dynamically altering electrostatic fields above the site and/or dynamically intervening in lightning.

A lightning protection system is provided, in particular for a rotor blade, the system including: i) a lightning conductor for conducting electrical energy of a lightning; and ii) a measurement device electrically coupled to the lightning conductor and configured to measure an impedance with respect to the lightning conductor. Further, a rotor blade and a wind turbine are provided.

The disclosure includes a method of diagnosing a grounding system of a structure that includes a charge collecting structure conductively connected to the ground via a grounding path, where diagnosing involves an act of monitoring output of a voltage and/or a current and/or an electrostatic detector connected to the grounding path.

Systems and methods for dynamically defending a site from lightning strikes are provided. The systems and methods involve dynamically altering electrostatic fields above the site and/or dynamically intervening in lightning.