On the evening of June 10, 2009, severe thunderstorms blew through the area. Heavy rains and severe lightning caused major power outages throughout northeast Texas. Lone Star Specialties was a victim of a powerful lightning strike in the night. “Power was off for more than two days, our computer server was a total loss and we lost our main phone line for over a month, but the scale made it through without any damage,” reported Office Manager Tony Thigpen. The company had to spend time and money getting their phone and network equipment replaced. However, their METTLER TOLEDO truck scale, located just outside the building, was working perfectly when power was restored. METTLER TOLEDO’s StrikeShield™ technology protected the entire scale system. The scale performed as if nothing happened.
Lone Star Specialties had recently upgraded their truck scale to use new POWERCELL PDX load cells and an IND780 terminal. These components are specially designed to withstand the toughest lightning strikes. The average lightning strike produces roughly 30,000 amps of electrical current. Independent testing has shown that the new METTLER TOLEDO POWERCELL PDX load cell system and IND780 terminal can withstand a surge of more than 80,000 amps. Lone Star Specialties was able to take advantage of the most reliable truck scale lightning protection system on the market to keep their business moving.
