The purpose of the point being sharp is that it facilitates what is called point discharge. Ions dissipate from the ground and effectively cause a reduction in potential between the cloud and the sea. In many cases the strike may be of lower intensity or not occur at all. This was an Italian development of some 10 years ago, and consists of a high performance varistor. The device is designed to interact with the electrical charges of the initial stepped leader where current values are relatively low and avoid the return strokes.
Charges accumulate on the atmospheric electrode and varistor poles.
The varistor conducts and the charge condition on the electrode alters. These charges leave when some streamers form to meet the leader. No Strike Charge Dissipater. This is based somewhat on the pinted spike only that there are many points in a brush arrangement. This is to stop development of a stepped leader forming and minimize the strength of any that do occur, Mast Cable.