South-eastern Independent. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1871-1871, 1871-08-04
Miscellany.
Lightning-ROds.

Ar this season of the year, when thun-
der-storrns 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 uH-
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 thunder 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 been 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-
iusted 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.
erally found have been in the ground con-
nections of the rods; and we venture to
assert. from what we have learned by in
ves.igation, 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 blildiDg, 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-
nection. Peddlers carry with them a
crow-bar, and with this they make little
superficial orifces 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 penetraiions of eight or ten
feet, and take pay for that extent Of rod,
and it is time 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 rods penetrate to point where
permanent moisture Is present, which can
not be less, in ordinary soils, than eight
or ten feet. The terminals should be con-
structed of copper, and it is always desira-
bic to have them placed in a 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-fssh-
Toned, large IRON rod is best, and it may be
attached to buildings in any way most
convenient. The pretty glass insulstors
so largely used, are unobjectionable, but
quite unnecessary; they do not add to the
measure of protection, or increase the
value of the conductors. There are hal
a dozen different forms of what are known
as "csble rods manufactured, which art
constructed of a bundle of small copper
and iron wires, bound or twisted togetner
These. for the most part, are OF good slze
and well adapted to the purposes Tor Whlci
they are designed. With good rods care
fully and scientifically adjusted, .perfec
sense of security may be entertained b.
the owner or occupant of buildings
Boston Journal Of Chemistry.