how does a lightning rod work?

Answer 1

Pretty good!

Being the tallest point on a structure, it is more likely to be struck by lightning first. Being directly connected to an earth ground, the electrical power, following the path of least resistance, bypasses the remainder of the structure.

A large structure might require several lightning rods for good protection.

Answer 2

The lightning rod is one of those inventions that people take for granted, but without them there would be thousands more fires and disasters every year.

A typical lightning rod acts as a conductor. A rod is driven into the ground, usually about 6 feet deep next to the structure needing protection. A cable is connected to the small amount of that rod that's just above the surface of the ground, using a special clamp. The cable is run up to the roof of the building, where a smaller rod is placed so that it is slightly higher than anything else on the roof. Often, these rods are mounted on chimneys, and the cables are routed down the outside next to the chimney.

Also, plumbing pipes within the house are also connected to the ground rod, to help protect anyone using or making contact with any sink or water-using appliance.

Lightning rods are used anywhere protection is needed. I work on electrical substations, which connect all cities and towns to the power grid, which is fed by electrical generating stations. If these substations did not have a similar kind of lightning protection, basically tall poles that act like lightning rods, any thunderstorm could be disasterous.

Answer 3

When the clouds approach, a cornea develops in the rod based on a build up of potential, like a battery effect. When the (-) capacitance build up to a breaking point a step lead leave the tip and travels upward.

In the mean time, the cloud (+) charge, many step leaders are approaching earth of a different potential. As the two different potentials meet (-) & (+) ions meet, which solidifies a conduit pathway. The in rush of current slams on impact, and a flash brighter then the sun with in nano-seconds. In that flash, every foot of step leader from lightning rod up and cloud down is a nano second response time. When that continuity is completed, with an inrush of current causes a clap of thunder. This is called EMP or Electromegnetic pulse. This EMP is safely discharged down the surface of the rod, also down the surface of the braided copper wire through the cadweld down through the ground rod safely into earth ground. The by product of EMP is called EMI, or High voltage and low current. This by-product is what damages electronic devices with in the area. This is called a feed back loop. That is why security systems, gate access, CCTV and other devices seem to get damaged even if there is a lightning rod protection system on the roof. To prevent this problem, is a whole another story of power quality equipment that actually work.