[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by samhass

Steve, I think many of those rods you see were installed by less than qualified people. The man next door had an outfit in to do his at a special price. (1,500)I don't think there is a lick of copper on the whole job. ..and he did the whole job in a few hours. My job took three days to install. When we said something to the foreman of the next door job about using all aluminum, he got all belligerent and said "he had been doing this for 25 years". I feel sorry for all the people he "did" in the last 25 years. He "did" them alright.

I don't doubt it. Funny how so many jobs go to the low cost bidder.
I am starting with A1 based on your recommendation, and will see how it goes from there.

[bimmertl]

Lightning info. Note #12 and 13.


http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream//l...htning_faq.htm

[SteveFromNY]

bimmert1 - I'm guessing you meant points # 13 & 14 as being of interest.

That's exactly why I am considering getting a lightning protection system - since TV is in the lightning capital of the world!

[JohnN]

784caroline - the cable/phone installers do the grounding, got it! thanks.

[samhass]

Steve, that's what I was thinking. The storms here are amazing in terms of the lightning.
I figured done properly, it could only help.

Originally Posted by SteveFromNY

bimmert1 - I'm guessing you meant points # 13 & 14 as being of interest.

That's exactly why I am considering getting a lightning protection system - since TV is in the lightning capital of the world!

[Sidney Lanier]

I too am going with your recommendation of A1, samhass--thanks!

Originally Posted by bimmertl

Lightning info. Note #12 and 13.

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream//l...htning_faq.htm

I can't get that link to work. Any suggestions, as I'd like to read it? Thanks!

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by Sidney Lanier

I too am going with your recommendation of A1, samhass--thanks!

I can't get that link to work. Any suggestions, as I'd like to read it? Thanks!

It worked for me. Try cutting and pasting into your browser.

[gfmucci]

Here is a link to a useful document on the merits of lightning rods:* http://www.agu.org/focus_group/ASE/NFPAreport.pdf**

On the topic of "lighting rods attract (more) lightning and therefore should not be installed" as opined by one or more fire department personnel, I have the following logic to share:

The first part of the assertion is technically true.* The higher a conductive object is located, the greater the chance it will be struck by lightning.* Raising a conductive object 12" (the typical height of a lightning rod above the protected structure) will infintessimally increase the chance of "attracting" a lightning strike.* But the validity of the logic of the complete statement ends there.* The object of lightning rods is not to reduce or eliminate lightning strikes.* (There are other technologies that strive for that - but they are still in the experimental stage.)*

The object of lightning rods is to direct lighting into the ground that would otherwise tend to strike your house.* The rod(s) conduct the lighting strike away from the structure of the house, reducing the chance for fire or other damage to the structure caused by the lighting strike.* Properly installed lightining rods have proven effective in accomplishing this purpose.*

One properly installed rod on a house will not be effective.* There needs to be several, optimally not more than 10' to 15' apart from one another or from any other high spot of the roof.* The closer they are together, the greater the reduction of chance for the structure being hit.* There is a cost-effective point that seems to be in the vicinity of plus or minus 15 feet from one another across the extent of the roof system.

On a related topic, I have a call in to Mike Farrington (referred by Kim in the Ocala Offie) of TECO.* Mike is over all the service techs in this area.* His number is 352-401-3417.* My questions to him will include:

1)* Is there any significant difference in level of safety of gas lines installed in the attic compared to ground mounted gas lines in a lightining prone area.*

2) What modifications have been made to the gas connections in the attic over the years in The Villages to increase their safety.

3) How can I be sure that my attic gas line installation reflects that latest improvements and safety measures?

4) Are there any measures that can or should be taken by the homeowner to improve the safety of this system, given our lightning-prone environment?

Any other good questions you can think of to ask are invited.

And finally, here are two articles about the attic mounted gas line materials (corregated stainless steel tubing (CSST)) particularly subject to rupture by lightning strikes:* http://www.wthr.com/global/story.asp...#160;and* http://hawkeyehomeinspects.com/docum...ST-DANGERS.pdf

It appears that this type of material is used in new homes with attic gas line installations in TV.* The question is:* Is proper grounding sufficient to prevent perforations from electrical discharge from lightning?* Or is replacement with black iron pipe or a lightning diversion system safer alternatives?

My admittedly unscientific conclusion after reading the above articles is this:

Grounded or not, CSST serves as an effective lightning-attracting ground - like having a lightning rod in your attic.* With the older, thick-walled "black iron" pipe used for gas transmission, a lightning strike does not perforate its thick wall, and the mega volts are conducted harmlessly into the ground.* In the case of CSST, a lightning strike will perforate its thin wall as it is conducted disasterously into the ground.

Comments and critiques from you electricians, electro-mechanical engineers, physicists and other logical types out there?

[barb1191]

We have also contacted A1 for a quote. Recd a response from them that they will evaluate our property and respond accordingly.

barb

[SteveFromNY]

We should all get together and see if we can get a volume discount from A1 - we're creating an increased demand, and they may be increasing prices as a result!!

[dadspet]

I just had cable and telephone upgrades at our house and both installers told me I was not grounded from the main feed line to my plastic box that connected all the lead wires into my house. They had to both add and grounding wire ......... As one one earlier said a direct hit will not stop anything but a ground wire at the feed wire into your house certainly is a first line of defense. Just pop the box cover off and see if you can see a ground wire (normally a clamp with a copper wire exposed)) leading to the ground AND connected to a metal pipe of some type. The telephone guy told me he has worked alot of overtime lately for lightning just blew the telehone box off the side of the house ..scary stuff and he reminded me to stay of the telephone when it is lightning outside.

I checked the cable inlet box on our new Ranch and the cable inlet wasn't grounded. A1 House inspector didn't find the problem BTW either. I called Comcast they they came our in a few days and grounded it.

[gfmucci]

Originally Posted by gfmucci

On a related topic, I have a call in to Mike Farrington (referred by Kim in the Ocala Offie) of TECO. Mike is over all the service techs in this area. His number is 352-401-3417.

After another call to Mr. Farrington this morning, I have yet to receive a return call.

[jerseygirl008]

Great idea Steve. And thanks for posting all the info you gathered.

[jerseygirl008]

Oh, and thanks Samhass and others too. Very very informative. Thanks.

[barb1191]

Have recd a response from Jeff who is Pres of A1. I have a corner-lot, patio villa and he has quoted $1525. Will go forth when I receive his formal quote, which should be sometime this week. He was quite anxious to get this done as he noted that they are in the electrical-storm season.

We're having this done while we're here in MA. He needs access to the garage only, which is no problem as my neighbor will oversee and give him garage access.

Thx Sam for the reference; am relieved that this is being done soon. When I return my signed Quote, I'll also suggest that he may want to consider an ad in the TOTV website as there are a number of inquiries from peeps in the site. I had mentioned to Jeff that you were the person who highly recommended them as you being a satisfied customer.

barb