HIGH VOLTAGE ISOLATION

High voltage environments are susceptible to GPR (Ground Potential Rise) events. In some cases a voltage potential between the ground grid and remote earth may exceed 100Kv. Common location with GPR occurrences include power generating facilities, power substations, towers with high voltage transmission lines, and wireless/PCS collocated and monopole sites.

In all situations where copper telecommunication lines (remote grounds) are allowed into high voltage environments catastrophic failures may occur due to a GPR event, endangering personnel, equipment and critical communication lines.

The Fiber Optic Link isolates telecommunication lines by replacing the copper telephone cable with an all-dielectric fiber optic cable within the high voltage area. The Fiber Optic Link can completely eliminate the presence of the telephone line remote ground insuring the safety of personnel and greatly improving equipment reliability.

Industrial network components must be capable of withstanding  harsh environmental conditions such as extreme temperature ranges as well as lightning strikes, Ground Potential Rise (GPR) events and power surges.

RLH industrial hardened analog and digital copper to fiber voice/data equipment provides isolation from environmental and outside disturbances in environments ranging from –40 C - +70 C.

RLH products are backed by the only UNCONDITIONAL LIFETIME WARRANTY in the industry.

RLH manufactures fiber optic links for all types of Telco services. Contact us today for a solution that fits your needs.

HIGH VOLTAGE ISOLATION: SUBSTATIONS

Power company substations have communications requirements for applications ranging from a simple telephone, to SCADA and transfer trip protective relaying. Many power companies lease communications services into their substations from local exchange carriers. Leased communications lines are most commonly connected over metallic (copper) wire.

Ground Potential Rise (GPR) occurs at power stations when a fault to ground causes a high voltage potential on the grounding grid relative to remote ground. GPR voltages at substations are commonly between 1 - 20kV. Power stations have extensive grounding and bonding to ensure all structure within the ground grid is at the same electrical potential. When a metallic (copper) telephone cable is installed into a power station it presents a path to remote ground.

For personnel safety, equipment protection, and service reliability, metallic phone lines entering high voltage GPR environments must be isolated from the local ground. The RLH Fiber Optic Link provides high voltage isolation by converting electrical (copper-based) signals into optical (fiber-based) signals. Because fiber optic cables do not contain any metallic members, service can be safely and reliably connected.

Industry Standards:
IEEE 1590-2003
IEEE 487-2000 (Annex F)
APPLICATIONS

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Common Fiber Optic Link Applications Include:

Applications from 2 Wire Analog Phone to High Speed Digital Circuit
Any Location Where Critical (Must not Fail) Communications are the Priority
Locations Served by Copper Telco Facilities where a GPR of 1000 Volts or more are present
Wireless Facilities (PCS Equipment) Located on or Around High Voltage Utility Transmission Towers
Wireless Facilities Located on Mono Poles to Protect Against Lightning
Any Telco Facilities Located in High Voltage Environments
Wireless Metering Services with Entering Data Lines
Solar Generating Facilities with Entering Data/Voice Lines
Point-to-Point (building to building) Fiber Communications Applications

To find out more about our fiber optic solutions, please call 800-877-1672 or email us today.

Al Gregory
Executive VP
RLH Industries, Inc.

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