Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-08-03
Miscellany.
LightniDg.R0ds.

AT this season of the year, when thun-
der-storms are of frequent occurrence, and
considerable damage is done to buildings,
and human life is placed in jeopardy, the
question regarding the measure of protec-
ton afforded by rods upon buildings is
discussed with much interest. 1t is pity
the matter should be one of doubt or un-
certainty, and when rightly understood it
ceases to be such. Properly constructed
rods, placed upon buildings in proper
manner, afford absolute protection against
any electrical discharges which are liable
to occur in thundsr storms, and this should
be clearly understood by every one. Public
confidence has been weakened in regard to
the efficacy OF rods, by the frequent at
tacks made upon buildings to which they
have b5en affixed; but this affords no evi-
dence that they are worthless in principle
1t rather affords proof that the rods were
badly constructed, or that they were ad-
Justed in a careless, unscientifc manner.
During the past twenty years we have
made it point to investigate, personally,
every instance of the kind which occurred
within our reach, and in every one palpa-
BILE defects were discovered in the arrange
ment of the rods The defects most gen
orally found have been in the ground con-
nections of the rods; and we venture to
assert, from what we have learned by in
vestigation, that large part of the rods
put upon buildings by ignorant, irrespon-
sible "peddlers,' afford no measure of
protection at all. Quite recently it came
to our notice, in repairing building, that
the rods penetrated into the surface soil
only about two feet. The rods were well
enough, but the house was unprotected in
consequence of the imperfect earth con-
np
crow-bar, and with this.they make little
superficial orifices in the ground, and
thrust in the end of the rods, caring
nothing for the consequences which may
result from their negilence. Usually they
claim earth penetrations of eight or ter
feet, and take pay for that extent of rod
and it is tine this form of fraud was stop
ped. Every person who desires to pro-
tect his buildings must attend personally
to having them adjusted. He must know
that the reds penetrate to point where
permanent moisture is present, which can
)t be less, in ordinary soils, than eight
or ten feet. The terminals should be con-
structed Of copper, and it is always desira-
BILE to have them placed in well, or at
tached to iron water pipes, if the service
pipes of the building are of lead or tin.
As'regards the form of rod, the old-fash-
lone1, large iron rod is best, and it may be
attached to buildings in any way most
convenient. The pretty glass insulators,
SO largely used, are unobjectionable, bat
quite Unnecessary; they do not add to the
measure of protection, or increase the
value of the conductors. There are halt
dozen different forms of what are known
as "cabie rods !" manufactured, which are
constructed Of a bundle of small copper
and iron wires, bound or twisted together.
These, for the most part, are of good size
and well adapted to the purposes for which
they are designed. With good rods care.
fully and scientifically adjusted, a perfect
sense Of security may be entertained by
the owner or occupant of buildings
Boston Journal Of Chemistry.
AiCINCINNATI dentist, who had become
nervous by frequent burglaries in his vi
cinity, was somewh startled recently by
having man come daily at the same houl
each evening and sit on his doorstep. Ell,
finally suggested that if it would be al
the same to him, he would be pleased tt
have him divide his attentions, and sit OF
some neighbor's doorstep for awhile. "Bu
1t woul int be tn9same," shouted the visi
tor in return, snor anything like it. Yor
are dentist, and I have an Internal aching
tooth that haven't the courage to gel
pulled. l come here every afternoon try
ing to make up my mind to have it out
and as soon as I come in sight of youl
house 1t stops aching, and as long as / sit
on your doorstep where the confounde6
thing knows it can get pulled if it give,
trouble, l have some rest. Now if yor
want me to go to another dentist will
"Oh, no. was the reply, under the cir
cumstances stay by all means, my friend.