Getting to Know Home Lightning Rods: Types, How They Work, and Installation

Lightning rods protect buildings from damage caused by direct strikes. Here are the types, how they work, and what to consider during installation.

Types of Lightning Rods

  • Conventional (Franklin) — a pointed metal rod that channels the current to the ground.
  • Electrostatic — wider protection coverage for large areas.
  • Radioactive — now rarely used for environmental-safety reasons.

How They Work

A lightning rod provides a low-resistance path for the lightning current toward the grounding system, protecting the building and its contents.

Installation

Installation must account for a good grounding system and be carried out by certified professionals so protection works optimally.

Curated from electrical-safety coverage. Copyright of the title and content remains with the original source.