[bluecenturian]

Originally Posted by GrumpyOldMan

If your next-door neighbor has one high enough and on your side of their house you are already protected.

if they don't have one already, I would drop them a hint about how much THEY need one.

Lightning looks for the least resistant path to the ground (lightning rod) and the one that is closest to where the lightning is coming from - high lightning rods are very yummy to lightning.

For the most part, they are not worth it, good homeowners insurance will cover damage less expensively than the lightning rod.

This is FALSE. Your neighbors house does NOT attract the lightening. The rods by physics produce a negative electric charge, similar to static electricity. If a lighten bolt come within the proximity of the charge it will attract to the rod. There is no way it will attract to your neighbors house.

Originally Posted by MrFlorida

Yes they work, but if lightning hits one, everything electronic in your house will be toast anyway.

Isn't your response somewhat of a contradiction? If they work, then how does everything in your house electronic become toast? I'm sure you understand it better than I, but just seems like a confusing response.

[Luggage]

Get a few very tall palm trees as I've seen several being hit in my neighborhood and starting on fire. And by the way yes a few years ago I had a neighbor whose house was hit it went through the bathroom vent and did cause a lot of damage

[Bay Kid]

If they were only cool looking as the ones Grandma had on her house.

I have them on mine. Just a one time insurance policy.

[bluecenturian]

Research the info from more informed and credible sources then the “next door” experts.

Lightning Rods

FAQ - Lightning Protection Institute

[NoMo50]

Here's some sage advice for golfers:

"If you're ever caught in a thunderstorm, and worry about lightning, hold up a one iron. Not even God can hit a one iron."

---- Lee Trevino

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by bluecenturian

This is FALSE. Your neighbors house does NOT attract the lightening. The rods by physics produce a negative electric charge, similar to static electricity. If a lighten bolt come within the proximity of the charge it will attract to the rod. There is no way it will attract to your neighbors house.

Does this post seem like a contradiction to anyone?????

[Laschott]

Lightning rod, The question is if lightning rods attract lightning then why would you want to put them on your house. Would you walk around the golf course in a lightning storm with a steel shaft a golf club in the air. You’re asking lightning to hit the steel shaft and kill you. So if you have lightning rods on your house are you asking lightning to hit your house?

[Ashimp]

There's websites that explain how a lightening rod works, here's one Demonstration of How Lightning Rods Work (Van De Graaff) - YouTube

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Laschott

Lightning rod, The question is if lightning rods attract lightning then why would you want to put them on your house. Would you walk around the golf course in a lightning storm with a steel shaft a golf club in the air. You’re asking lightning to hit the steel shaft and kill you. So if you have lightning rods on your house are you asking lightning to hit your house?

Needing some education.

[Lightning]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Do Lightning rods, properly installed, safely direct lightning strikes that hit your home down into the earth near your home?

Or is this a scam?

Lightning Protection Systems (LPS) commonly called lightning rods have been credited with saving lives and property since they were invented by Ben Franklin in 1752. However, the installation of LPS is a specialty offered by firms that are listed by UL and employ craftsmen that are qualified as Master Installer by four closed book proctored exams offered by the Lightning Protection Institute. Typically, electrical engineers and electricians are skilled in the National Electrical Code and the safe use of electricity in your home and other structures and that does NOT include lightning. Please note the wide use of lightning rods around The Villages - all buildings around the square at Sumter Landing, all pumping stations, fire department headquarters, nearly all churches, hotels, and in some neighborhoods as much as 15% of the homes. For more information research recent issues of the VHA Voice, POA Bulletin, **************.com, and University of Florida's Dr. Martin Uman's book at the Belvedere Library, The Art and Science of Lightning Protection. Beware of myths and misunderstandings found elsewhere on this subject.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by bluecenturian

This is FALSE. Your neighbors house does NOT attract the lightening. The rods by physics produce a negative electric charge, similar to static electricity. If a lighten bolt come within the proximity of the charge it will attract to the rod. There is no way it will attract to your neighbors house.

I was correct.

IF your NEXTDOOR neighbor has a lightning rod and it is high enough, the lightning WILL be attracted to it (for the reasons you gave - sort of) and not your bland tasteless roof. If you have something that is tastier (conductor with a low resistance to ground) on your house like a tall antenna, then it hits you.

You can stand in a field next to a power transmission line holding a golf club over your head, and you will never get hit by lightning. Because the transmission line is closer to the source of the lightning (higher), and it has a GOOD lightning rod built-in. with a very low resistance to ground.

If on the other hand you are out on a golf course and are hundreds of feet/yards from the any structure, and you hold your golf club up to swing - you become the tastiest thing in the area and can be hit by lightning.

Are you an electrical engineer?

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Oneiric

Our lightning rod system was put in by A-1 with a good surge protector on the electrical box. We also have small individual surge protectors on all of our electronics and appliances. Had a strike several years ago and had no damage to anything. Although we have a grounded gas line running through the attic, we felt the cost was worth avoiding any hassle/and or fire.
Our outdoor pool control box though, was toasted once by a ground strike near a neighbor, so make sure your pool electronics has its own separate grounding.

As stated, I am no expert. We do not have gas. I am not against gas, I prefer it for cooking, and water heating. However since we do not have basements. Since apparently it above your head in the attic. Add to that lightening. ?????????

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Does this post seem like a contradiction to anyone?????

It isn't a contradiction, it just isn't clear. If a lightning strike hits a lightning rod it goes into the ground (most of the time). But that induces a very large current flowing through the rod. That current produces an EMP (sort of) a pulse of magnetism that flies out from the rod and passes through anything electronic nearby - where it induces a current and "fries" the electronics. That is basically the same thing that happens when a Nuke is exploded and a very large EMP destroys all the electronics in the region.

This is part of the consideration when installing a Lightning rod - don't put it too close to any expensive sensitive electronics. Or the magnetic pulse it produces (which is harmless - we think - to humans) will probably destroy the electronics. It doesn't have to be a LONG way away, but not close.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Does this post seem like a contradiction to anyone?????

Most everything is full of contradictions. Every issue we expect simple, perfect, solutions.
REALITY, they do not exist.