Lightning Protection

If you're considering installing a lightning protection system, here's a statistic to consider. According to data compiled by Westinghouse Electric Company, given an average location and exposure, a 50 ft. high building stands a greater chance of being struck by lightning once a year than a card player has of filing an ordinary flush in a poker game. In the United States the average geographic area is subjected to 40 lightning strokes per square mile every year.

A lightning protection system uses lightning rods (air terminals), a conductor system to conduct the lightning discharge harmlessly between the rods to ground terminals. Other components include surge arrestors to protect power lines and associated equipment from direct discharges and inducted currents. Secondary conductors are also used to prvent "sparkover" or "side-flashes" as the discharge travels to the ground terminals.

Lightning rods do not "attract" lightning. Their sole-function is to act as a contact point so the lightning can be harmlessly grounded. While every structure is electrically grounded doesn't have the capacity to handle the tremendous electrical force of lightning.

Lightning basics: Some areas are more likely to be struck by lightning than others, but all are at risk. Water environs, flat lands, mountain tops, tall tress and tall buildings in urban areas are particular areas of concern. The parts of structures most likely to be struck are projecting parts such as chimneys, ventilators, flag poles, tower, deck railings, skylights and paraphats.

Location and soil condition information is also important for maximum grounding purposes. The pitch of a roof will affect the amount of labor and accessibility to areas where rods will be installed. The edge of a roof is the part of a structure most likely to be struck on flat roofed buildings.

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