Systems and methods for removing charge buildup/leakage from solar modules. A discharge controller may be coupled between a solar module and a string bus of a solar array. The discharge controller is configured to disconnect the solar module from the string bus, and to connect a grounded frame to solar cells of the solar module. Since the grounded frame of the solar module is grounded, connecting the grounded frame and the solar cells allows charge buildup/leakage to discharge into ground.

Systems and methods for removing charge buildup/leakage from solar modules. A discharge controller may be coupled between a solar module and a string bus of a solar array. The discharge controller is configured to disconnect the solar module from the string bus, and to connect a grounded frame to solar cells of the solar module. Since the grounded frame of the solar module is grounded, connecting the grounded frame and the solar cells allows charge buildup/leakage to discharge into ground.

Provided is a lightning suppression type arrester that can easily increase a quantity of negative charges required for lightning suppression while simplifying workability associated with installation as much as possible. A lightning suppression type arrester for suppressing lightning on a structure includes a charged body made of a conductive material provided in an electrically insulated state on a top of the structure, a first electrode body including a capacitor electrically connected to the charged body, the capacitor being installed on a ground and electrically connected to the ground, and a second electrode body opposed to the first electrode body via an electrical insulating layer to store an electric charge by a capacitance between the first electrode body and the second electrode body, in which the second electrode body is electrically connected to the charged body.

Provided is a lightning suppression type arrester that can easily increase a quantity of negative charges required for lightning suppression while simplifying workability associated with installation as much as possible. A lightning suppression type arrester for suppressing lightning on a structure includes a charged body made of a conductive material provided in an electrically insulated state on a top of the structure, a first electrode body including a capacitor electrically connected to the charged body, the capacitor being installed on a ground and electrically connected to the ground, and a second electrode body opposed to the first electrode body via an electrical insulating layer to store an electric charge by a capacitance between the first electrode body and the second electrode body, in which the second electrode body is electrically connected to the charged body.

A swivel joint includes a tail section and a body portion that define a passageway therethrough and which can rotate relative to one another. One or more seals and bearings can be disposed between the tail section and the body portion. An electrical conductivity grease fitting can be mounted within a bore hole in the body portion. The electrical conductivity grease fitting can have a lubricant passed therethrough to lubricate the bearings. The electrical conductivity grease fitting has a first portion in electrical communication with the body portion and a second portion that is biased into electrical communication with the tail section to maintain electrical conductivity between the tail section and the body portion.

A swivel joint includes a tail section and a body portion that define a passageway therethrough and which can rotate relative to one another. One or more seals and bearings can be disposed between the tail section and the body portion. An electrical conductivity grease fitting can be mounted within a bore hole in the body portion. The electrical conductivity grease fitting can have a lubricant passed therethrough to lubricate the bearings. The electrical conductivity grease fitting has a first portion in electrical communication with the body portion and a second portion that is biased into electrical communication with the tail section to maintain electrical conductivity between the tail section and the body portion.

Provided is a storage tank or structure with conductive fiber material (e.g. carbon fiber) for dissipating electrostatic charge. The tank comprises a tank wall made of composite material, such as polyester-fiberglass composite. On an inner tank surface, open areas are provided in which the conductive fiber is exposed. The conductive fiber material has broken fiber tips and stray fibers for collecting electrostatic charge. Outside the open areas, the conductive fiber material is covered with a layer of cured resin. The conductive fiber is exposed only in the open areas. An impermeable film may be present under the conductive fiber in the open areas. The present invention also includes a method for making the tank, in which a liquid, gel, or impermeable film mask is applied to the conductive fiber material. The mask functions to prevent infiltration of liquid resin into the conductive fiber material.

The present disclosure provides a surge protection device including a ceramic substrate (1), at least one pair of discharge electrodes (31) disposed on a surface of the ceramic substrate (1) so as to face each other at end portions thereof with a space in between, outer electrodes (32) electrically connected to the corresponding discharge electrodes (31), and a discharge auxiliary electrode (4) disposed between the end portions of the pair of discharge electrodes (31) The discharge auxiliary electrode (4) contains crystalized glass and particles of conductive powder (40) dispersed apart from each other in the crystalized glass.

The present disclosure discloses an apparatus for protection against electrostatic discharge and a method of manufacturing the same. The apparatus comprises: a first input/output pad electrically connected to an input/output pin and comprising an input/output protection circuit provided between a power source line and a ground line, wherein the input/output protection circuit is configured to release an electrostatic discharge current generated at the input/output pin; and a second input/output pad which is an empty pad electrically connected to the input/output pin and an RF input/output terminal of an internal RF circuit and is configured to receive a signal from the input/output pin and transmit the signal to the internal RF circuit. With the above apparatus, parasitic capacitive load can be minimized while electrostatic protection is performed on the RF circuit.

The present disclosure discloses an apparatus for protection against electrostatic discharge and a method of manufacturing the same. The apparatus comprises: a first input/output pad electrically connected to an input/output pin and comprising an input/output protection circuit provided between a power source line and a ground line, wherein the input/output protection circuit is configured to release an electrostatic discharge current generated at the input/output pin; and a second input/output pad which is an empty pad electrically connected to the input/output pin and an RF input/output terminal of an internal RF circuit and is configured to receive a signal from the input/output pin and transmit the signal to the internal RF circuit. With the above apparatus, parasitic capacitive load can be minimized while electrostatic protection is performed on the RF circuit.