Mower County transcript., 1871-08-10
LlghtnlDg.ROds.

AT this season Of the year, when thun-
dcr-Stornls arc Of frequent occurrence, and
considerable damage is done to buildings,
and human life is placed in jeopardy, tho
question regarding the measure Of protcc-
tlon afforded by rods upon buildings is
discussed with much interest. 1t is pity
tho 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 arc liable
to occur in thund:r storms, and this should
confidence has been weakened in regard to
the efficacy of rods, by the frequent at.
tacks made upon buildings to which they
have b .en affixed; but this affords no evi-
.lcncc that they are worthless in principle.
1t rather affords proof that the rods were
badly constructed, or that they were ad-
justtd Il in a careless, unscicntilic manner.
During the past twenty years we have
made it a point 10 Investigate, personally,
every instance Of the kind which occurred
within our reach, and in every one palpa-
bic defects were discovered in the arrange
mcnt of tho rods The detects most gen
orally found have been in the ground con-
ncctions 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, irrcspon-
sible "pcddle1s,' 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
conae',non.'' Of tho ir,rnrf:'"+ o"-'h ron
Dol <l<nx
crow bar, and with this they make little
superficial oritccs in the ground, and
thrust in the end OF the rods, caring
nothing for the consequences which may
result from their ncgilencc. Usually they
claim earth penctra,icns 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-
tccL his buildings must attend personally
TO having them adjusted. lie must know
that the rods penetrate to Il point where
permanent moisture is present, which ca Il.
not be less, in ordinary soils, than eight
! or ten feet The terminals should be con
structt d Of copper, and it is always dcsira-
bic to have them placed in well, or at.
tachcd to iron water pipes, if tho service
pipes of the building are of lead or tin.
AS regards the form of rod, the old fash
ionei, large iron rod is best, and it may be
attached to buildings in any way most
convenient. The pretty glass insuators,
so largely used, arc unobjectionable, but
quite unnt ccssary; they do not add to the
measure Of projection, or increase the
value Of the conductors. There are half
q dozen different forms of what arc known
as "cab!c rods " manufactured, which are
constructed Of bundle of small copper
and irun wires, bound or twisted together.
These, for tho most part, arc of good size,
and well adapted to the purposes for which
they arc designed. With good rods care
fully and Scientifically adjusted, a pc1iHct
sense Of security may be entertained by
The owner or occupant Of buildings
Boston ,J0u7mtM Of (Hcmiytru