How to Protect Your Helium Hotspot From Lightning Strikes?

Apart from owning and operating a wireless network for low-voltage devices, the helium hotspot rewards every user for their use. You can earn a Helium network token, HNT, worth a substantial amount at the end of the month.

However, while you are earning, here comes a thick cloud with lightning strikes threatening to turn your hotspot to burnt toast. Didn't you think that was possible? Of course, it is.

When hit by a lightning strike, Helium hotspots don't turn to toast but get burnt. So, how can you protect a helium hotspot from something as powerful and scary as a lightning strike? Find out more as you continue reading.

To help you understand how to protect your helium hotspot, a brief insight into how lightning strikes are formed would be ideal.

How to Protect Your Helium Hotspots From Lightning Strikes
To protect your helium hotspot, you need a lightning arrestor device. But what exactly is a lightning arrestor, and what does it do?

A lightning arrestor is a device used to protect electrical equipment from the effects of lightning strikes. The device has a high voltage terminal as well as a ground terminal. Generally, a lightning arrestor receives the high voltage and current from the earth and directs it to the ground terminal and from there to the earth through a high tension cable designed for this purpose. 

How to Install a Lightning Arrestor with Helium to Protect Your Helium Hotspot
Unlike any other situation where the lightning arrestor is used, installing one in a helium hotspot takes you through a slightly different process. The lightning arrestor is installed between its antenna and the antenna cable for helium hotspots.

But why does a helium antenna need a lightning arrestor?
The helium hotspot antenna is the sole receiver of RF signals. When receiving these signals, it passes them through the lightning arrestor and antenna cable. If these signals build up in the antenna due to lightning strikes, the lightning arrestor breaks the connection and ensures that the signals are not passed down.

When setting up a lightning arrestor, the lightning arrestor is connected to a ground cable, which leads directly from the lightning arrestor to the earth. Have you ever heard the phrase, "the earth receives all charges"? It is simply a phrase that explains that the earth can receive all dangerous charges and signals at all times without being filled up.

How does the lightning arrestor protect your helium hotspot from lightning strikes? The lightning arrestor, when installed, acts as a mere conductor between the antenna and its cable. When the lightning strikes, the high voltage, and amps force the lightning arrestor to break its contact with the antenna cable.

When this happens, the electrical charges are passed through the ground cable, which directs them straight to the earth. The lightning arrestor may not be a shield, but it helps direct dangerous lightning strikes away from your helium miner. This way, your helium hotspot antenna is not affected, and consequently, your helium hotspot is protected.

Precautions You Need to Take While Installing a Lightning Arrestor

1. Ensure all Connections are Made Properly
When installing a lightning arrestor, ensure the connections are done correctly. If you are feeling confused, invite a professional to help you do this. A YouTube video can help you when feeling confused.

2. Ensure the Lightning Arrestor is Above the House
Lightning mostly strikes the top part of any house. Most lightning arrestors are placed above the house if you are familiar with building houses. It is not different from helium hotspots. Ensure your antenna is as high as possible and its lightning arrestor is above the house.

3. Ensure the Lightning Arrestor is Grounded Properly
Grounding is the main defense against lightning strikes. Without good grounding, your lightning arrestor is simply useless. To avoid accidents, ensure your grounding cable is connected properly, first to the lightning arrestor and then to the earth. Remember, your helium hotspot is a sitting duck waiting to be struck if there's no good grounding.

Bottomline
Protecting your helium hotspot from something as massive as a lightning strike is surprisingly easy. It's highly recommend to consult a professional when installing a grounding wire. When this is installed properly, your helium hotspot is protected 24/7 from all lightning strikes and static build-up. Want to keep enjoying your helium hotspot? Get a lightning arrestor today we recommend the RAKwireless Lightning Arrestor. 

FAQS

Q: Does a Helium Antenna Need a Lightning Arrestor?
Yes. The helium antenna needs a lightning arrestor for protective purposes when installed outside. Without this device, you risk leaving your wireless network susceptible to the damaging effects of a lightning strike.

Q: Can I Protect My Helium Hotspot Without a Lightning Arrestor?
No, you can't. A lightning arrestor is the first line of protection between your helium hotspot and lightning strikes. Without a lightning arrestor, you can’t protect your helium hotspot.

Q: Can I Install My Lightning Arrestor Without a Ground Cable?
No, you can't. A ground cable is the high tension cable needed to conduct the dangerous high voltages and amps to the ground. Without this cable, the buildup of charges would damage your helium hotspot. Please consult an eletrician or profession before installing a grounding cabling.