[NTLUG:Discuss] lightening!

[Rusty Haddock]

kbrannen at gte.net wrote:
    >Actually, about 10 minutes down the road in Argyle, there's a store/service 
    >that sells them.  I have now considered paying them a visit for 
    >information. :-)  My question is, if I install lightening rods on the 
    >house, will that attract more lightening?

If you ground them properly, in general, no.  Also remember that a high
point will "protect" anything under a 45-degree cone from that high point.
I use "protect" because lightning (proper spelling here :-) will do
what it damn well pleases *BUT* the rods will give the lightning a more
convenient place to hit as opposed to something that might be flammable,
such as your roof or a tree.

Keep in mind, too, that lightning rods will not protect you from the
HUGE electric field that surround the bolts.  This is what does the
real damage -- the induced voltage/currents into your wiring, not what
the lightning bolt actually contacts!

	-Rusty-
-- 
   _____        Rusty Haddock  =  KD4WLZ  =  rusty at fe2o3.lonestar.org
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