The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-08-30
Supports for Lightning Rods.

Nearly all the directions that occasionally
appear for the erection OF lightning rods, re-
qure that a glass Insulating ring be placed
around the rod at each point OF support. to
prevent tie electric fluid from passing TO the
building. Most of the rods we have seen
have this contrlvance carefully attached 10
them, and in most instances the ring Was
placed inside hole through an iron rod or
bolt. the other end Of which entered the tim
bers of the building.
Now there are two objections 10 this con-
trivance, namely. that first il is Of no use; and
secondly, it misleads TO security, by causing
neglect of other precautions-all for the fol-
lowing reasons:
L. The distance insulated is too small to be
Of any practical utility, for very small charges
Of the fluid, such for instance may be OBJ
tanned every successivesecond from any good
electric machine will leap through the air
greater distance than that from the rod to the
iron support; consequently in the heavy e1-
blossoms from the clouds, 1t would be perfect
y inefiicacious.
2. The glass. by becoming wet, as IT GER
tainly would in any thunder storm, would I'M
medately become conductor, and If useful
at any other time, would now lose all Its yalu-
able property.
3. The nearness of the rod to the iron sup
port, would tend TO turn the fluid into the
building, if the communication 10 the earth
below should happen to beimperfect, or If the
explosion were too large 10 be easily carried
down by the rod.
A much better plan is to make supports OF
wood, which may be of plank or small scant-
ling, with hole bored in one end for the pas
sage Of the rod, the other to be nailed, NOR
tsed or screwed into the building. so as to
hold the rod off at least one foot distant from
the outer side or wall. If the rod is sharp at
the upper end high enough above the roof,
continuous throughout. and enters the ground
several feet, at least or 7, so AS to reach
permanently moist earth no danger can ever
arise-because the electric fluid always takes
the best conductor, and as iron conducts al
most infinitely better than seasoned wood, and
the rod is held BY it at some distance from the
building, the discharge would pass instantly
into the moist subsoil and be as instantaneous
" dissipated through the earth Baked wood
is nearly as perfect a non conductor as glass;
and " hen IA foot in length and compared with
glass of only half an inch, would Insuate In
comparably the best. Every electrician is
aware that the heaviest discharge from Ley
den Jar may pass safely through metal rod
held in his bare hand, provided the communi-
cation is complete at each end of the rod
which being much better conductor than
the hand none of the fluid passes into the lat
ter. In the same way good lightning rod,
high above the building, and entering the
earth deeply. will carry down heavy dis
charge through even thoroughly moistened
supports, without any tendency to pass into
the building An interesting proof of this
fact occurred some years ago, at house for
merly occupied by the writer. The rod, an
inch in diameter, single silvered point
at the top and entered the earth SIX feet. on
bed of charcoal deposited there. During
severe thunderstorm explosion occurred.
to which the discharge of a cannon seemed as
a mere pop gun, and the building trembled to
its foundations. 1t was, however. found to be
uninjured; but the next day the point of the
rod with its cap of silver, was found melted
into ball, nearly as large as rifle bullet!
This rod was held about one foot from the
clapboarding by means OF wooden supporters.
painted like the rest of the house; and but for
It's protection in carrying down, as 1t evident
" did, a tremendous discharge of lightning,
the dwelling would probably have been shi,
cred to pieces Country Gentleman.