Lightening rods on pole barns?

Dave H (MI) · Jan 18, 2015

Or, since they is mostly metal, do you just ground them at the base? The last two barns on the place burned to the ground and at least one of those was due to lightening. Took 2-3 dozen Holsteins with it (not mine, previous owner). Just want to sleep easy when the Spring storms come.

old · Jan 18, 2015

If built right the metal on them should touch the ground and yes be grounded. Most of my pole barns are made with metal poles in the ground 3 foot or deeper

Janicholson · Jan 18, 2015

I believe in lightning rods. Dissipating the earth charge so the building does not attract lightning is my idea of good repellent. If they never get hit by lightning they worked. They are grounded (usually in two places opposite each other, with copper coated steel grounding rods. One building hit and a hole blown in the roof (wooden garage in Indiana with no rods on it then). Neighbors house here in St. Cloud burned (no rods). Jim

Billy NY · Jan 18, 2015

There is a specific conductor used and they are definitely earth grounded. The website in the link is a company I worked with many years ago, they specialize in these installations and there may be helpful information there as well.

Both of our old barns had lightning protection systems for years, Hawkeye bulbs as I recall, and the conductors went to an earth ground.

Its certainly something to be aware of, its unreal what it did to this poplar tree. I was a awake and somewhere around 300 yards away, 1-130 am 4-27-11, came in through a branch, and blasted out 2x4 and 4x4 pieces, that measured out beyond 100 feet from the trunk of that tree.

Link

Wheatfarmer · Jan 18, 2015

If you have a wood post barn and steel on the roof and walls. Make sure there is a wire/strap or metal of some kind linking the roof to the walls, and the walls to the ground. Those are two spots that can create an ark.

coonie minnie · Jan 18, 2015

You have nothing to worry about... lightning never strikes twice, right?

In all honesty, rods on yuor pole shed would be a good idea.

There is a gentleman around here that installs them. I think he can smell new lumber from miles away, as he always seems to show up as soon as something is completed.

John T · Jan 18, 2015

I would recommend lightning rods since if properly installed they bleed off the charge so a major high voltage high energy strike never occurs in the first place. Going around grounding all the metal siding or roofing is NOT the same as the protection and function a proper lightning control system provides.

John T

CKain(MI) · Jan 18, 2015

btw, Anyone know where I could obtain one of those glass bulbs for a lighting rod ? Thanks

Dave H (MI) · Jan 18, 2015

From a retired electrical engineer's viewpoint? That works for me! Appreciate all the responses. I think I will look into getting some up there this year.

Billy NY · Jan 18, 2015

This might help, click below.
Ebay

Google

showcrop · Jan 19, 2015

Your grounds need to be deep enough to be in damp soil in order to work. I installed a few for electric fence, and I believe that they were eight feet long. You can get a ground tester from a fencing supply for very short money. Then you know. no point in putting in lightning rods unless you are sure of the ground.

teddy52food · Jan 19, 2015

I don't know, but the only barn in this area to burn down had lightning rods on it.

Lightening rods on pole barns?

Dave H (MI)

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old

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Janicholson

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Billy NY

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Wheatfarmer

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coonie minnie

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John T

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CKain(MI)

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