Personnel protection from electrocution through whip antennas

Summary form only given, as follows. A device for personnel protection from electrocution through whip antennas occurring when the antenna comes in touch with wires of high voltage lines is described. It is a high-pass filter implemented as a non-linear blocking capacitor possessing a falling capacitance-voltage characteristic installed in the middle part of the antenna. This filter presents low impedance to a high-frequency signal. To line frequency voltage of 50 or 60 Hz of up to 33 kV, the filter is a high impedance, limiting the current through the human body to 4-5 mA. This current is felt, but does not result either in muscle contraction or heart fibrillation. Basic aspects of influence of pulsed electric current on humans and relevant experiments are discussed. Short-term (up to several seconds) AC voltage withstanding capabilities of many capacitor types obtained from leading manufacturers were investigated in wide temperature range. The capacitor is encapsulated in housing with terminations allowing for its easy insertion between the antenna links. Flashover behavior of polluted skirted insulators made of different dielectrics with several types of coatings was studied at dry, wet and ice conditions, Experiments were made before and after environmental and field tests. Even under simulated heavy salt rain, there was no flashover of the 13 cm-long insulator at the test voltage of 24 kVrms. Field tests showed that the protection device can operate in extreme service conditions and is abuse-proof. Protected antennas were tested at an antenna range in the VHF diapason (30-88 MHz). Practically no impairment of the antenna RF quality was detected.