How To Protect A Building From Lightning Strikes

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The population has always been split on thunderstorms. Some people see them as one of life’s great joys to look out of their windows and watch the spectacular lightshow outside. Others prefer to hide under the covers until it passes.

One thing everybody can agree on is lightning is a danger to people. There’s no end to the damage it can cause both humans and property. You should take steps to protect your assets in the event of a thunderstorm, especially if you live in an area prone to them.

Here are some of the ways to protect a building from lightning strikes.

Electronics

Whenever a lightning bolt hits the power lines, the electrical surge will run down the wires into your home. Any electronics that happen to be switched on might get fried by the sudden increase in power. In many cases, your home insurance policy won’t cover damage by lightning by default.

The best way to prevent damage to your electrical items is to switch them off. Break out the candles and torches. Stick to portable electronics until you stop hearing the thunder and seeing the lightning.

Most modern properties will have surge protectors automatically installed. If the current reaches a certain level, the surge protector will automatically shut the flow off. This protects against fires and broken electrical items.

Fire Damage

If a lightning strike hits a building, there’s a risk of starting a fire. The air directly around a bolt of lightning is superheated, so it’s not difficult to understand why fires start.

Lightning rods are an ideal beginning for a lightning protection system. They’re connected to cables that run into metal rods buried underground. While there’s no foolproof way of preventing fires, rods do reduce the chances by offering a safe passage for the electricity to run into the earth.

Downconductors

Downconductors are devices installed in the ground; usually about 10 feet deep. These provide a route system around the building. They conduct electrical energy into the ground and away from the building. They might look like scrap metal, but this is part of their design. Any paint or decoration would make the system less effective.

An alternative to a downconductor is bonding. Property owners prefer to use bonding specifically to protect AC power, gas pipes, and water pipes.

Early Warning Detectors

The best way to protect your house is to know what’s coming. An early warning detector might be expensive, but for a business or large household it’s ideal. Alternatively, make sure you regularly check the weather forecast during the storm season.

There are concerns over the effectiveness of early warning detectors, but in general they tend to catch the largest and most dangerous storms.

React to any incoming storms by disconnecting the power and making some final checks on your lightning protection systems.

None of these options are expensive. You can setup a basic system for a few hundred dollars, or invest in an advanced system with a few thousand dollars. They’re durable and will last for years.

 Author Bio –

Helen Meyers is a successful real estate agent. She shares her years of experience and insights through her articles. She tells her readers to contact the Lightning Surge Protection for better and safer homes.

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