New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-06

lirhtnnc-rod which carries IT, tho contrary That
this portion Of the path receives bnt small fraction OF the
toa energy whoever has looked out upon the lightning
during thunder storm and watched the vivid strak' Of
fire connecting the distant parts Of the clouds with the
earth win be able realize what state to be the iact
namely that very much the larger part OF the energy
lightning discharge consumed in thu atmosphere itself
In producing that vivid light and the intense heat winch
marx the path of the Lightning
would ay In conclusion therefore, that do not be-
Hve that the simple efficient liehtnngrod provided by
BENJAMIN Franklin and suggested in connection with his
arss experiments with the kite and key is likely TO be
supereded except the matter OF improvements In the DE-
tails and ifs disposition about the building, intelligent
placing OF Che rod conductor where 1t IS most needed
Professor A. f. Dolbear. OF Tufts College, Massachu-
sets who figured prominently in the controversy over
the invention OF the telephone and who contributed
largely TO it's development in its early stages says
Flrs-I am Of the opinion that lightning-rods do pro-
ect some buildings necessary, ana that other
buildings are safer without them.
secondAs to the electrical discharge il
h tho Electrical process Of the ansference of energy
one overcharged body another When takes place
through conductor we call It current Of electricity.
When it place through the AIR we call 1t spark or
lightning when cloud thus suddenly unloads It's en-
crgy because accumulates faster than 1t can be dspaed
I'm any other way have the flash OF lightning, which in
itself is not electricity, only the highly heated gases
OF the air by the great heat concentrated
the line Of discharge.
Tbird-The correct theory Of its The origin Of
orally received doctrine concerning it, That 1t IS the
direct result yaOr condensation and of the consequent
liberation of molecular energy is toieraby certain to me-
Fouit-The theory OF Chtnngrods Is that they form a
conducting path FOR discharge between the clouds
and clrth sufficiently cool TO convey all the
electricity so there would be no necessity for
the lightning to leave it in order 10 get TO
the earth This has been the hypothesis but
many buildings supposed be well shielded have been
more or less damaged by lightning leaving rod in
places where there seemed sufficient reason, II con-
ductvity only needed. 1t has long been known
that electrical induction takes place at much higher
speed electrical eonduction in he best conductors
knowledge has not been taken into the account IN
lightning phenomena. Very likely much Of this ap-
parently abnormal ealy lightning work he's been due
10 latter and therefore would need precautions and
provisions that hitherto have been attended TO-
Fifth-It is generally believed now that insulation
upon rod is useless. and also that glass or other IN
suatOrs upon house are Of no service.
Sixh-As TO tn relative advantages OF crosssecuon
and OF surface upon rod there is diversity OF opinion as
there is the best material to be used copper OF
IRON My opinion is that hafinch gas-ppe fur-
oshes the cheapest and easiest constructed rod with an
efficiency equal to any, having conductvy sufficient Tor
the who advocates crOsssecon, and surface Tor he
who wants that 1 have never seen a quarternch
iron fused by lightning. but have seen miles OF
telegraph poles shattered by IT,
Scventh-Mr. Hodges's theory is new that should
say either that agree or disagree with H.
That between the cloud and the earth the space or electric
field is in state Of there is every reason to ceeVe
That that energy and may be measured as he
indicates pounds cutie foot When the discharge
this energy is disposed OF summariy hodges
thinks it all eoapses in horizontal direction to central
that constitutes the FASH and that therefore all that
has TO be provided against the electric stress in the
space on level with the building object. He provides
thereupon Of matter OF such sort as 10 allow the
energy present transformed into work OF once where
is instead OF providing for its conduction 10 earth or
elsewhere TO be disspated in other ways
That part Of his theory sound for electrical or any
other kind OF energy spent in doing harmless work
anywhere. it still exist to do mischief elsewhere
Whether the of the theory be true not am not
prepared to say for the he calls for not
easily found Perhaps combination Of the Old theory
and the new one might truly represent the TRUTH in
which case II would be plain that Re fully protected
lightning must guard against the electric field
at his right and left well as from overhead
Professor Moses g. Farmer. Of Elliott Me- of the
oldest and best known of American electricians, has
responded categoricaly to the questions sent out by
The Tribune upon the subject of lightning rods lie
says
DO lghtning-rods really afford protection7
Most assuredly they do If properly constructed and
applied.
What is the nature Of the electric discharged
Sudden and descriptive in its character; recombina
ton of the separated elcctrictes.
What theory of the action OF lightning
rods
The rod affords an path for the electricity in It's
efforts toward reconciliation
Should the rod be insulated mott
] think it very little difference for II the
difference OF potential be sufficient enable the dis
charge strike through five six hundred feet OF air. 1t
would require but little effort pass inch
Dr. two around an insulator.
Does their effectiveness depend upon their cross.
section suIfacel
Very much; the most upon their surface though ample
Do you agree with the ideas advanced by Mr. n. D. c.
Hodges In his paper this subject read before the In
ttute Of Electrical Engineers April 81. reprinted
n part in The Electrical Engineer of May g?
Ny exp rlence and observations both confirm his views
The views briefly advanced by Professor Henry A. |
Rowland. of Johns Hopkins University. these:
a ghtninerod put up in the proper manner, affords
bsoutc protection.
What electricity is does not enter into the question,
We it, laws.
Maxwcs theory Of the ghtningrod is the only correct
ne. His idea Is TO incose the house In of wires.
boye tho sides and below Using copper wire 3S inch
ametr in the proper manner perfect protection will be
horded. copper roof with down spouts all the
connected with rods driven into the ground
With the and water pipes. is perfect protection
Mr.. H0dgess views the subject accordance
With science and have absolutely grain Of
them.