[dbussone]

Originally Posted by BarryRX

I think the main thrust of OP is to question whether or not lightning rods work. It is a good question because there really hasn't been a lot of research on it. The current standard of thought by the experts seems to be that having lightning rods may improve your chances of having your house survive a strike without damage, but is no guarantee. Current U.S. lightning protection standards are embodied in a document published by the National Fire Protection Association known as NFPA 780. First issued in 1904 and updated periodically since, NFPA 780 codifies the traditional lightning rod installation, in which sharpened metal "air terminals" known as Franklin rods are connected to an earth ground by means of heavy conductors. A lightning bolt strikes a Franklin rod and is carried harmlessly to earth by the grounding apparatus, sparing lives and property. Though technically voluntary, NFPA 780 has been adopted by many local jurisdictions and government agencies and is the de facto national code. As stated by OP, the lightning can hit anywhere on your house. But if it does hit the highest point of your house that is protected by properly installed rods, then the current will pass through the rod and wire and into the ground.

If my question had been asked previously, I apologize in advance.

Do lightning rods also serve as a lightning attractor? In other words, if two identical homes were next to one another (same height, etc.) and one had lightning rods, would there be any increased propensity for the "protected" home to be struck?