Re: OT. Lightning rod ???

Posted by Illinois Boy on June 17, 2006 at 12:32:23 from (74.137.128.3):

In Reply to: Re: OT. Lightning rod ??? posted by RAB on June 17, 2006 at 09:34:02:

RAB - It makes me so much better that you know you're right.
Well insulated cables - hardly. A little poly insulation doesn't stop thousands of volts - even if it is DC.
The fact you're missing is that those cables are lashed to an unprotected steel strand - bonded to power verticals and ground rods by NEC guidelines. Transient voltages, capacitive voltages all travel the strand and not the cable sheath (except for the old lead sheathed cable which all but non-existing today). I was at this for 37 years and know what it can do - to houses, cental offices, microwave towers, cell towers, long line sites, etc. Cables and drops have been blown in two and the ends right out of the ground from strikes hundreds of feet away. The telephone industry has done enough research to know what they're doing - and they still can't protect or prevent damage from it today.
I'm not saying that the rods might not stop some damage - but I sure wouldn't count on them for any protection. If they can't protect anything from lightning, they can't prevent squat. There are too many other paths for lightning to take.
The recent coal mine disaster in W. Virginia was caused by lightning that blew up gasses hundreds of feet down in a mine. Lightning goes where it wants to - when it wants to. You go ahead and trust them if you want to.
I guess we kind of got off the question... :)
I would not put them on my house for looks - putting holes in a new roof for that is not a good idea IMHO.

Replies:

Add a Reply Name: E-Mail: Subject: Comments: Optional Link URL: Link Title: Optional Image URL: Email Notification: If you check this box, email will be sent to you whenever someone replies to this message. Your email address must be entered above to receive notification. This notification will be cancelled automatically after 2 weeks.

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]