Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-09-01
Hopkins on Lightning Rods.
1.-THE Drovers' Journal.J

liz oIONeIS
Prof. Cyril G Hopkins in the follow
ing letter gives a cheap and efficient
method of wiring farm buildings for
lightning protection:
To the Editor: The following in
curry is made by R. ]. Ahern, Campus,
H.; VIII YOU be kind enough to give
me your opinion on lightning rods,
and do you consider that they will pro-
tect building from lightning? And
II You consider them a protection will
You give your reason? And would you
advise the use of them?
Replying to your letter of Aug. 6.
II beg to say that I have made some
study of reported Investigations con-
corning the protective power Of light
ming rods. and l think the people who
have investigated the matter are fully
convinced that there is a good deal
of protection in the use of proper light
ming rods.
1t is not at all necessary, however. TO
use high priced lightning rods unless
of course you wish to make a good ap
pearance. You may take piece of
wire fence electric weld) Of No. 9
wire. with about seven lineal wires and
with cross wires Gall No. 81 about
Twelve inches apart. Cut these cross
wires just inside of thu outer wires on
both sides obliquely so as TO leave five
iineal wires and each cross wire end
ing IN sharp points at both ends. Bend
the cross wire in the shape of a "W''
with the sharp points sticking up, and
lay the woven wire lengthwise Of the
ridge pole Il viii make one OF the
best collectors of lightning this being
really the function of the lightning rod.
The piece Of woven wire should be long
enough TO reach ground. preferably at
both ends of the barn. and near the
g und the woven wire should be
wrapped around a piece Of one-inch
galvanized iron gas pipe about twelve
feet long. wl.ivii Is pushed into the
ground 70 a depth of ten feet or more.
Plug the gas pipe by driving in
wooden plug or corn cob. leaving six
inches above the plug. Then bring all
Of the strands Of the woven wire to-
gether and push them into the gas
pipe 70 a depth OF about six inches.
Nearly fill the space by putting in some
thirty penny wire nails heads down.
and then drive in a few more points
down 50 as to make a close metallic
connection between the pipe and con-
Quoting wires. Finally pour in molten
spC-ti ~ tClN piStt!S IL. tilS lciiId4Aiii6
spaces.
No insulation IS necessary between
The wire and the roof of the barn. 1t
may be fastened on by a few short
wood pieces l by 2 inches, or by pieces
Of galvanized sheet iron, which can be
nailed 20 the roof. If. after a number
Of years, the wire becomes badly rust
ed. il should be renewed.
ba 71rinPiI,ia of lightning COTTON
is 10 have sufficient number of sharp
points TO gather the electricity and an
efficient conductor with perfect metal
lie connection so as to conduct the
electricity to the moist earth.
I have consulted with Professor Berg,
acting head OF our electrical engineer
ing department. and he fully indorses
this means Of lightning protection.
which, of course. is best suited TO large.
cheaply constructed barns and other
outhuildings where appearance is a
matter Of secondary consideration. I
use il on my own farm.
CYRIL C. HOPKINS.