Electrostatic discharge protection

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can originate from several sources, the most common and destructive being lightning strikes. Primary lightning strikes are those that hit the CRVW3 or sensors directly; secondary strikes induce a high voltage in power lines or sensor wires.

The CRVW3 must be properly earth grounded to take advantage of its built-in protection to prevent damage from ESD. A good earth ground will minimize damage to the data logger and sensors by providing a low-resistance path around the system to a point of low potential. All components of the system (such as data loggers, sensors, external power supplies, mounts, and housings) should be referenced to one common earth ground.

In the field, at a minimum, a proper earth ground will consist of a 5-ft copper-sheathed grounding rod driven into the earth and connected to the large brass ground lug with a low-gauge wire (8 to 12 AWG). In low-conductive substrates (such as sand, very dry soil, ice, or rock), a single ground rod will probably not provide an adequate earth ground. For these situations, search for published literature on lightning protection or contact a qualified lightning protection consultant.

For information on the CRVW3 ESD testing, see ESD testing.