How Does A Lightning Rod Work?
Lightning rods are constructed of a high-conductivity material with high current-handling properties, connected to ground. They work by being physically located usually higher than surrounding stuctures to offer a more conducive low-resistance path to ground for atmospheric “static electricity” charges, providing an alternative to surrounding structures becoming the discharge path to ground. When electrical charge differential builds up between earth and atmosphere to a sufficient point that particles in the air no longer act as an insulator – the particles “break down” providing a path for the discharge of the electrical differential (“lightning”). The lightning rod serves as an extension of ground placed above other potential condutive or semi-conductive materials (trees, buildings, whatever is desired to be protected from lightning), in hopes that the lightning rod will serve as the primary current path for the discharge rather than the structures desired to be protected. Every mate
