Automated Performance Monitoring of Dams
This space will relate case specific examples of actual benefits achieved from automated systems as well as problems encountered and the improvements made. These lessons will be a maximum of 150 words and will include a point of contact for details.
Send the lessons you learned to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
St. Louis District
Automated Performance Monitoring of Dams
1222 Spruce St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
This is not limited to Corps of Engineers participation.
Lessons Learned Reports
Lightning Protection
Lightning has proven to be the most common problem with the most devastating affects to Automated Data Acquisition Systems. With every occurrence, more is learned about the cause and the correction. The following describes what has been experienced to date.
An actual lightning strike is not required to render systems inoperable. Only a significant ambient voltage difference is necessary.
The most effective corrections that have been recommended are in the area of the design approach rather than the sophistication of devices.
- All equipment should be battery powered to isolate it from characteristics associated with alternating current. Batteries can then be recharged with AC or solar. Batteries should be fuse protected.
- AC input should be fuse protected and surge suppressed for transients.
- All ancillary electrical devices should be surge protected, including radio transmitter outputs, telephone lines, solar input lines.
- Earth grounds should be tested to assure less than 35 ohms resistance rather than relying on the standard specifications to be effective.
- Earth ground rods should be installed at all junction boxes, cable splices, and daylight points for cable runs.
- Reduce the potential for ground loops by using only one ground point per circuit.
- Minimize cable runs, even if protected as recommended. Cable also causes other concerns including moisture, vandalism, installation costs, etc. Radios are very reliable. Manual downloading could even be preferred in order to retain reliable system operation.
- Surge suppressors should be able to withstand up to 5,000 amps.
Automation Upgrades