How many years will a lightning protection system last?
With proper maintenance and periodic inspection, the system should last as long as you own your property. Many lightning protection systems have lasted 50 years with proper maintenance. I have heard that lightning rods attract lightning. A lightning rod system will not attract lightning nor will a system repel a strike. At the time the leader stroke leaves the clouds starting downward toward ground, the equal and opposite ground charge is seeking a path upward to meet or neutralize the cloud charge. If the cloud charge is over a building with a lightning protection system, the earth charge uses this system and dissipates out the top of the air terminals and the two charges meet at a location called striking distance, usually 150 feet, more or less, above ground.
