Quote
Originally posted by sparky:
would a phone wire between buildings constitute a 'metallic path"

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I think the code says yes but that does not make sense to me. A coaxial cable might serve as a parallel path to the grounded circuit conductor but the telephone wiring is not itself deliberately grounded anywhere outside the telephone central office. The protectors at each building are grounded but if they fail they are designed to fail clear leaving a crude air gap lightning protector in place. The only time the telephone wiring would carry the circuit currents is after a power cross. Given there gauge they would last about a second.

Tom Horne

"This alternating current stuff is just a fad. It is much too dangerous for general use" Thomas Alva Edison