{"id":4165,"date":"2022-11-24T02:57:10","date_gmt":"2022-11-24T02:57:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ledask.com\/?p=4165"},"modified":"2023-03-05T13:22:42","modified_gmt":"2023-03-05T13:22:42","slug":"lightning-conductor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ledask.com\/lightning-conductor\/","title":{"rendered":"Lightning Conductor: All You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you wondering what a lightning conductor is? Lighting conductors are an important part of a lightning protection rod system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lightning conductor systems help protect buildings and their occupants from lightning damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if lightning storms strike a building, the current will travel through the metal rod. Then, it will travel into the ground instead of staying in the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article will go through how lightning conductors work, the different types, and why installing lightning protection rods is important.<\/p>\n\n\n

What Is a Lightning Conductor?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

The lightning<\/a> conductor consists of the lightning rod, which is on the top of a structure. And the earth’s connection point is deep in the ground through copper cable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When lightning strikes<\/a>, the conductor channels the electricity safely in a path to the ground instead of passing through the building, which minimizes the risk of damage or fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scientific reason behind this is that electricity always takes the path of the least resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lightning<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lightning rod on the house<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

How Does It Work? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Blunt-tipped lightning rods work due to the phenomenon of induction. For example, the electric charge passes by a building. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then the electrical charge<\/a> of the conductor becomes opposite to it through induction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, the rod has an electric field length taller than the physical length. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the large electric field, the air becomes a conductor. It helps to act as an air contributor to help discharge clouds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The outer layer of the storm clouds is full of high-density ionized electrons. This negative charge around the lightning rod equals the cloud’s charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This phenomenon pulls lightning bolts towards opposite charges on the outer layer of the conductor. It creates a virtual pathway for lightning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This way, it discharges its high electrical potential along the lightning rod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A lightning bolt<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

Functions of Lightning Conductor<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Besides diverting lightning away from buildings, lightning conductors also have other important functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, lightning conductors help to cut the current flow into the structure. It does this by providing a low-resistance path to the ground. It prevents any fires or electrical damage that occur from higher electric currents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, they protect surrounding buildings by preventing the spread of fire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suppose one building does get struck by lightning. The lightning conductor system helps to prevent it from spreading elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, they reduce individuals’ electrocution risk during a lightning strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lightning<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lightning striking a house roof.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

Can Lightning Protection Systems Help Me Save on Insurance?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Some systems that meet the criteria and earn an insurance credit include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n