ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area 3 phase well pump

Where I am more concerned is when the structure is the highest point in the area, however the lighting always seem to strike further downhill because the lower elevation trees are more conductive than the higher elevation rocks. A fellow I worked with has this exact situation. He asked my opinion as to whether he needed a lightning rod system. I suggested that he talk to a lightning protection professional, however my personal opinion is that he should not put in a system because the lighting is already not striking his place. I believe that if he adds lightning rods, he will just attract the lightning to his house.

In this situation, adding an extremely good ground rod (well casing) will make his electrical system much more attractive to lightning strikes.

Larry C

I have a little anecdote (I hesitate to call it "evidence" of anything)

I live very close to a 250kv power line and that has always been my lightning rod. The poles are maybe 80-100' above grade.
It has been hit many times. When I put up my weather station I realized I was putting a big metal antenna in the air, maybe 25' above grade so I made an air terminal for the top. It is 3' of 3/8" copper tube with a stainless steel point on top and a 2ga conductor to the GES. It has been hit twice that I know of. Yup dumb old me attracted lightning to my weather station and blew it up twice.
I was in the drive once and actually saw the hit. Exciting stuff huh?
I do believe there is something to that air terminal stuff.
I must say, other than the weather station that has wires running parallel to the lightning rod conductors and absolutely zero lightning protection on those conductors, nothing else was harmed. In real life what blew was the serial port in the PC it is connected to.
I have since put ferrites on all the leads and I am looking into making/buying some opto-isolation.
I have a couple months until the rains again.