Lightning Rods

[BIGNASTY]

Im fixing to build a Run-in Pole barn 40' x 50' x 14' at the eves. Being new to Indiana and not use to the amount of Lightning that we had when we moved here June Last, we've been told we've not experienced the lightning season YET!!

Was wondering about lightning rod use? In my travels around the states IN, OH, KY, TN, IL I've noticed SOME DO, SOME DON'T?? Being its a Pole Barn Construction 6x6 CCA poles will be 4' into the ground with a stone base throughout would it be needed?


BIG

 

[fest3er]

A short-pointed rod at each end of the peak, each connected to an 8' ground rod below, and each ground rod connected to a continuous loop of bare #6 wire all around the building buried 18'-24" deep should be enough to protect the building. The sharp point allows the voltage to bleed off before it builds too high; the loop ensures that voltage elsewhere around the building won't climb too high. Also install a whole-building surge suppressor if you'll have electronic equipment you don't want (or can't afford) to replace often.

The more metal you use in the construction, and the more delicate/expensive electronic gear you use in the building, the greater your need for lightning protection will be. If it's wood frame, metal skin, and the only electric is lights at eave height, you probably needn't worry.

 

[The patriot]

If you DIY, BOND the connections.
Do NOT solder.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Thanks !!
The only thing electronic will be a wind generator & a couple of solar panels, charge controller for 2 trailers, tractor battery. Nothing grid tied or connected to our AUX Generator.

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

The one most likely to be hit is the one that has the most expensive stuff hooked to it.

Cant believe that 2018 is almost 1/2 over already!!

Be safe out there Big!!

 

[BIGNASTY]

The one most likely to be hit is the one that has the most expensive stuff hooked to it.

Cant believe that 2018 is almost 1/2 over already!!

Be safe out there Big!!

YEP, Days Go By Slow & Years Go By Fast!!

The first of June we will have been in Indiana a YEAR the above statement holds VERY TRUE

We've been having one heck of a Lightning & Thunder show since last evening.The nice thing is that if the weather gets to ugly I TELECOMMUTE HA HA HA I don't know why I didn't think of that much earlier I guess the technology I B I T C H about has its advantages.

 

[Jim W]

My neighbor across the street from me had lightening rods installed 21 years ago on his house. In the 21 years how many times has this house been struck by lightening ZERO times. I have lived my entire life in the mid-west mainly outside of the Chicago area (68 years) and I never had a house struck by lightening, it may happen but it is rare! I think the chances of damage by a tornado would be greater than a lightening strike on a house.

 

[BIGNASTY]

My neighbor across the street from me had lightening rods installed 21 years ago on his house. In the 21 years how many times has this house been struck by lightening ZERO times. I have lived my entire life in the mid-west mainly outside of the Chicago area (68 years) and I never had a house struck by lightening, it may happen but it is rare! I think the chances of damage by a tornado would be greater than a lightening strike on a house.

We have what the news calls "Straight Line Winds" at first I thought about the Santa ana winds of Commiefornia or the Chinook winds experienced in Montana HOW MUCH WORSE CAN THESE WINDS BE? my answer to that question is now MUCH WORSE!! A few months after we moved to Indiana they said that the winds were coming, I was driving from Westfield IN to Greencastle IN when I got just outside of Lebanon IN It looked like someone had a GIANT shop vac that sucked the corn roots and all leaving the ground as if it had been plowed, about a 100 yards wide and as far as you could see from the road here in Indiana you can see fer-a-long way. Uprooted power line poles for miles and I didn't need to practice my tree felling skils just cut to length load the rounds in the trailer, must have made 30 trips but I have enough wood cut stacked & drying for several years of wood boiler use.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Just watching the news, don't want to start a verbal fire but I think ill add them not only to the barn but to the house they aren't that expensive

https://www.theindychannel.com/news/house-fire-in-plainfield-sparked-by-lightning-strike#id0


https://www.accuweather.com/en/vide...s?offset=30&category=Trending+Now+(Videowall)


https://www.wthr.com/article/fire-at-westfield-apartment-complex-caused-by-lightning-strike

 

[The patriot]

Get that amateur radio license we talked about a few years back.
As soon as you put up an antenna, you'll be the primary focus of all lightning within 50 miles. :-laf