For a country house located on its own, on a hill 880 feet over sea level, on very open space.
2006-07-08 14:49:26 · 3 answers · asked by Joe V 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
A lightning rod(s) on the roof protects anything below the upper tip at a 45 degree angle (like a teepee with walls at a 45 degree angle). When lightning is "planning" a strike it sets up an ionized path from ground to sky then unleashes a bolt of lightning along the path. The sharp tip of the lightning rod encourages ionization helping to direct the bolt to ground. Properly grounded TV antennas (rare now) used to serve the same function. Remember however that a direct strike on a telephone, cable or power line can enter your house and even a near miss can generated induced voltage surges in wires or piping. While an electrical storm is passing, avoid wires and plumbing and even shut down TV's and computers, etc. just to be safe. Surge protectors may help if you are not at home.
2006-07-08 23:29:50 · answer #1 · answered by Kes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lightning rods located at the top of the tallest spire in the house and grounded properly.
It works at any altitude.
2006-07-08 14:53:53 · answer #2 · answered by csasanks 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put a faraday cage around the house. :)
2006-07-08 14:59:48 · answer #3 · answered by aorton27 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋