Sensor can withstand direct lightning strike

When it comes to harsh environments, direct lightning strikes take some beating.

Zettlex sensors are often fitted with devices to protect their onboard electronics from voltage spikes or reverse polarities.  However, the usual few extra volts or amps from a battery or mains supply spike pale in to insignificance when it comes to the energy stored up by mother nature in a lightning strike.  She can easily throw a few hundred amps in to a sensor if she decides to.

Nevertheless, as well as a requirement for reliable operation during complete submersion in freezing & aggressive fluids, these were the over voltage and current conditions recently requested by a Zettlex customer.

The first units were delivered on 22nd August 2008 following successful trials featuring potentially lethal voltage discharges.

The test results show that the sensors worked fine.  They simply carried on as if nothing had happened.