What we learnt from "Shocking" talk

Posted by Mabel Gong Siew Choo

Session was very enlightening.

There were approx 17 pax for a temperate day. lots of questions thrown and humourously answered with some.

Malaysia has the highest lightning strikes per year. Menara Duta in order of lightning strikes, 153, 155 and 151.

This particular lightning service people offers the faraday cage system/MOV system for the common areas to protect the CCTV, boom gate, lifts, electronic system in the main common area. This excludes owner individual units. There was a brief suggestion on the various points of protection for individual condo units to ensure the electronic contents within the unit is protected.

We learnt about lightning "SURGES" as opposed to the direct lightning strike itself. That even though main common area may be protected, the secondary effects MAY affect individual units depending on the angle of strike.

Also learnt that it is NOT safe to take shelter at busstops as they do not have any surge dissipating elements. (Safer to be in swimming pool than an open field or golf course, all not advisable....) And the interesting thing is should there be a lightning strike, to safeguard yourself from a secondary surge/flashover as they call it, stand on one leg or try keep your legs together!!!! The wider you have your legs opened, the more susceptible you are.

Need any explanatory details please ask Jeff/Carlo. I rather do as chap say. Next thunderstorm, you will recognise today's 17 MD residents instantly. They walk with closed legs! We call it the MD shuffle.