March 2004

What About Lightning Rods?

Lightning protection systems are rods installed on the roof of a building that connect to heavy aluminum or copper cables or straps. The cables then run down the side of the building and attach to ground rods at the base of the structure.

The theory is that if lightning strikes, the lightning protection system will provide an alternate low-resistance path for lighting and divert it away from the structure. Do lightning rods attract lightning? And do they really protect your home or business from a lightning strike?

Strong opinions run on both sides of the issue. But all seem to agree that lightning rods
don’t actually attract lightning or increase the chance of the building being hit.

For lightning rods to be beneficial, the strike has to occur very close to the rod. Lightning rods offer protection from direct strikes. Experts have determined that damage from indirect lightning strikes is 100 times more likely than damage from direct strikes.

Even though indirect strikes don’t hit the building itself, they’re responsible for most lightning  damage. Indirect strikes induce huge electrical currents into wiring, metal plumbing and other conductors that destroy equipment or injure people who happen to be in contact with them (like faucets, telephones or appliances).

You’re probably better off investing in surge protection equipment and checking the
building’s ground system rather than investing big money in a lightning rod system.

But if you feel chances are good you’ll get a direct strike, you may want to look at a lightning protection system. Be sure to validate lightning protection system vendor claims through an independent source.

The decision on the level of protection ultimately rests with you.

Learn the steps to beating lightning damage. Click here.

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