The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-19
LIGHTNING RODS.

owners OF suburban and country
homes are constantly inuuIring about
the value of lightning rods. THE cues
ton Is whether they protect the build
ings or attract the lightning that causes
damage
Unless proper lightning rods are used
and applied properly. and properly
grounded, the buildings are safer with
out them. Periodical inspection and
maintenance in good condition are in
dispensable to efficient protection.
A properly rodd"d building may he
struck several times without injury.
whereas a single stroke without the
protection afforded 10y the rods may
cause disaster.
Lightning rods, contrary 10 The gen
oral custom, should be put ny without
insulators buildings with metal roofs
or wherein metal construction IL EN-
ployed that Is properly connected to
earth are already partly provided with
lightning protection. When rods are
added To- such buildings the rods should
be put in direct metallic connection with
the roof and other metal work about
the building wherever this is practicable
All down spouts should be led into metal
pipes going into the earth to give proper
earth connection, or the spouts should
otherwise be well grounded by the use
Of wires ~ cables lnsulators are en-
tircly unnecessary, and II Is proper to
have extended metal work. like heating
and water pipes. all electrically con-
nected together and all we'll grounded
/ This latter result IL gained through
/ connections made TO water pipes, since
/ the lattcn usually pass through the
earth outside the building
II is not necessary to use points Of
platinum or other special metal nor
is fancful construction required The
useful qualities lightning rod points
must possess are infushility, m.chani-
cal strength and security OF Installation
and pcrmanencc and durability under
prolonged exposure to weather. Stout
hluntly pointed iron rods three-cighths
or onc-half inch in diameter. rigidly
and securely fastened 80 as to project
li4 or feet above the structure &,
which they are attached satisfy al
requirements.
Iron Is one of the best materials fol
rods. II rusts and deterlorates under
prolonged exposure and this is only
partly overcome by galvanizing, Gal
vanized iron rods should he not less thar
two strand cable galvanized iron fence
wire of substantial size OF the same sia,
as harbed wire but without the barbs
furnishes very good cheap material,
Copper liz better than iron on account
Of its indestruCtiblity and because OF Il,
/, softness and pliabillty. which make 4
easy to insta..
Solid rods. hat bars or bands OF
stranded twisted cables may be EN-
ployed. or two or more forms may h
used In combination The conductor,
should be put up in long, continuous
pieces as far as possible.
Substantial iron points in combina
ton with copper cables. from fve-six
teenths inch in diameter for small
buildings to one-half inch in diamete
for large an. ;.hportant structures. form
the best possible system OF conductor
for lightning rod construction.
The earth connection should be car
rIed down into the earth and away from
the buildings in a trench or other eX
cavatlon, so as TO reach and embed tn
conductor itself or plates ATTACHED
thereto into permanently moist earth
Contact points should rise above an!
prominent features Of the building, sue
I as chlmneys or in the absence of thes
features, from tho ridge Of the roof n
intervals OF % feet or Whereabouts.
, This Information can hr relied upon
as It "a the result Of careful observation
by officials of the United States Gov
ernmsnt