SERTEC launches lightning protection for marine
Three lightning protection systems specifically for marine applications have been launched by Italian security firm SERTEC.
The CMCE Marine electric field compensator, based on an original concept by inventor Nikola Tesla in 1916, was originally developed by SERTEC to protect telecommunications systems from lightning strikes,
It works by disrupting the formation of the upward tracer that triggers the atrmospheric discharge that is a lightning strike, SERTEC says.
“The SERTEC CMECE Marine operates as a passive capacitors system that provides permanent protection by balancing and de-ionising the effects of atmospheric phenomena using one or more compensators.
“By stabilising the existing electric field in its environment, it creates a ’shield’ that prevents the formation of an ascending tracer within the radius of protection by draining the electric charges to the earth or surrounding water in harmless milliamperes, eliminating the formation of lightning within the protected area.”
A spokesman for the company said the Marine CMCEs had been made using materials that were lightweight and were not affected by salt water.
The three models – gold, platinum and diamond – are for different sized ships, gold being for small boats and buoys, diamond for all vessels longer than 20 metres as well as large offshore structures.
Later this year, the company will launch a range of condition monitors that can be operated remotely.
