“Rods or air terminals are essential components of a lightning protection system. They are designed to protect buildings, structures, and people from the destructive effects of lightning strikes. When lightning occurs, it seeks the easiest path to the ground, and tall structures, such as buildings and towers, can become targets for lightning strikes.
The primary purpose of rods or air terminals is to attract lightning strikes and provide a designated and controlled path for the lightning current to safely reach the ground. By doing so, they prevent the lightning from causing damage to the protected structure or harming its occupants.
Here’s how rods or air terminals work:
Lightning Attraction: The design of these devices encourages lightning strikes to occur on the rod or air terminal instead of the protected structure. They are typically installed at the highest point of a building or structure to make it more likely that lightning will strike them.
Conducting Lightning Current: When lightning strikes the rod or air terminal, it channels the massive electrical current through a conductor, usually a down conductor or lightning conductor cable.
Down Conductors: Down conductors are heavy-duty conductive cables that run from the air terminal down to the ground. They provide a low-resistance path for the lightning current to travel safely to the ground.
Grounding System: The down conductors are connected to a grounding system, which consists of metal rods or plates buried deep in the ground. The grounding system disperses the lightning current safely into the earth, where it can dissipate harmlessly.
By providing a controlled path for the lightning discharge, rods or air terminals help protect buildings and structures from fires, structural damage, and electrical system failures that can be caused by lightning strikes. However, it’s essential to note that while they significantly reduce the risk, no system can offer 100% protection against lightning. Therefore, proper lightning safety measures and building codes are necessary to minimize the potential for lightning-related incidents. Consulting with a professional lightning protection expert is recommended when designing or installing a lightning protection system.”