Protection of buildings from lightning

Lightning

Lightning is a large natural electric discharge between a cloud and the ground or earth. When an object is struck by lightning it is either burnt or damaged. When lightning strikes living organisms they are injured or killed. Lightning tends to strike roof tops with sharp metallic parts especially those of tall buildings. For this reason, buildings are required to have special devices to protect them from lightning. This device is called a lightning conductor. This conductor is made up of a long thick copper rod, or any other metal rod, with a pointed end, mounted vertically on top of the roof of a tall building as shown in Figure . The other end of the rod is connected to the ground by an earth cable connected to an earth rod. A lightning conductor allows charges from the surrounding clouds to flow to the ground thereby preventing lightning from striking the building. This method prevents accidents associated with lightning.

Lightning conductor mounted from the top of a tall building to the ground