Protecting your Home or Business from Lightning

Basic Parts Needed:

Protecting your home or business is a matter of contacting a professional, qualified to design and install a certified lightning protection system that is uniquely special for your building. A protection system is typically made up of the following components:

• LIGHTNING PROTECTION - AIR TERMINALS: Also referred to as lightning rods. These copper and metal rods are vertically mounted on the roof at various high points on a house. Air terminals are positioned to project above the roof line, the rods are designed to intercept the lightning strike.
  
  
• LIGHTNING PROTECTION MAIN CONDUCTORS: These cables are made of copper or aluminum and connect air terminals to the grounds.
  
  
• LIGHTNING PROTECTION GROUNDS: Main conductors are set at least 10 feet deep in the earth and are attached to metal grounding rods. Special grounding requirements are sometimes necessary in sandy or rocky soil. The energy is directed into the ground as current flows through the rods. Then the chance for injury or damage is effectively eliminated.
  
  
• LIGHTNING PROTECTION BONDS: The bonding connects grounded metal objects to the main conductor cable and prevents sideflashes, (lightning jumping between two objects.)
  
  
• LIGHTNING ARRESTORS: Arrestors protect wiring and appliances from lightning induced power surges. A surge is an increase in electrical current due to a lightning strike on or near a power line. Kitchen appliances, computers, televisions and sump pumps are all vulnerable to unexpected surges.
  
  
• LIGHTNING PROTECTION FOR TREES: It is recommended that any tree taller than your home or within 10 feet of it be equipped with a lightning protection system. Trees do not offer protection and many homeowners choose to have trees protected for their own value. An unprotected tree nearby can create a side flash of lightning to you house.