What is a lightning conductor and how does it work?
You are not expected to explain how and why lightning occurs.
2007-03-13 01:37:16 · 8 answers · asked by TP 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
It's usually called a lightning rod.
Lightning rods provide a low-resistance path to ground that can be used to conduct the enormous electrical currents when lightning strikes occur. If lightning strikes, the system attempts to carry the harmful electrical current away from the structure and safely to ground. The system has the ability to handle the enormous electrical current associated with the strike. If the strike contacts a material that is not a good conductor, the material will suffer massive heat damage. The lightning-rod system is an excellent conductor and thus allows the current to flow to ground without causing any heat damage.
2007-03-13 01:42:48 · answer #1 · answered by greymatter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The rod emits positive ions that actually attract the negative charge built up by the storm (you may see spikes on some of them to increase this effect). It then provides a safe path for it to go to ground without doing damage.
Be careful of the term "conductor" although correct terminology, the lightning is not conducted through the copper. It "skins" the copper. this is very important during design because sharp bends may cause the lightning to not follow the wire and do damage somewhere. This situation can be worse than not having the lightning conductor.
2007-03-13 10:26:31 · answer #2 · answered by Poor one 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When a lightning strike occurs it travels to the nearest grounded object. Putting a conductor so that it is grounded and higher than the power-carrying conductors makes it a more likely target for the lightning strike. When it is hit that flash has not gone to the power carrying wires so they are undamaged.
2007-03-13 09:08:29 · answer #3 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because a bolt of lightning will automaticaly be atracted to the nearest metal sourse (if available). So on a high building you will have a strip of metal from the roof running all the way down to the ground to provide a direct route to the floor, without passing through the building and causing damage.
2007-03-13 08:46:46 · answer #4 · answered by carswoody 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The idea is to give lightning a predetermined path to the ground.
If you don't provide that path and lightning strikes, it will find its own path. And it will find cables and destroy equipment attached to those cables - possibly even in neighbouring houses.
By giving it a safe path you make sure it doesn't harm anything when it strikes.
You'd normally only install this on buildings that are likely to be struck by lightning (towers and highrises).
2007-03-13 08:56:40 · answer #5 · answered by mgerben 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a metal rod that goes from the stop of a structure and into the ground.
Lightening, like any electricity, takes the route of least resistance, so the current would travel through the metal rod and not through the building, and all the current gets dumped safely into the earth.
2007-03-13 08:46:40 · answer #6 · answered by Marky 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The conductor is far more attractive to lightening than bricks and provides a safe route to earth.
2007-03-13 08:41:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All who have said it provides a low resistance path to earth are correct.
2007-03-13 14:59:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋