+1 on what Charlie said. When the electrical current flows and it changes (a lighting strike can be described as a very high and very thin wave shape) it generates magnetic field and this one, in turn, generates current in any conductive object around. Add a coil or even a bend in the conductor and the effect magnifies. The amount of energy (or current) in the lightning is so great that even a small object like your keys can generate current.
I think I am a bit of a fatalist and I don’t think any amount of bonding and grounding on the boat (short of towing a huge copper plate attached to the mast with a welding cable) would effectively protect you from a direct hit. The “Seamanship to avoid t-storms, luck and insurance“ are probably your better bets. I guess it is all a question of managing risks. fatalist Marek C270 “Legato” Ottawa, ON From: Charles Nelson via CnC-List Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2016 22:15 To: [email protected] Cc: Charles Nelson Subject: Re: Stus-List Lightning protection by design? After you have done what has been suggested, you have taken all 'reasonable' precautions to minimize the chances of serious damage from a strike IMHO. I don't think it is possible to reduce these chances to zero, no matter what precautions you take--a strike contains so much energy/second that it could destroy any bonding before it is over or overwhelm it and thus jump to any nearby object, metal or plastic, grounded or not. A tree in my back yard took a direct strike awhile back and did not explode or burn--it just died and had to be taken down. However, EVERY motor in my nearby house was destroyed by the EMP produced by the strike-washing machine, dryer, garage door opener, etc. Seamanship to avoid t-storms, luck and insurance are your last and maybe the only resorts you have when out in such weather. Charlie Nelson Water Phantom 1995 C&C 36 XL/kcb Sent from my iPad On Apr 28, 2016, at 9:47 PM, Jake Brodersen via CnC-List <[email protected]> wrote: Chuck, I think you have a solid connection to ground. I wouldn’t worry about a thing. If lightning hits and goes down the mast to the keel, you’re still having a pretty bad day. Jake Jake Brodersen C&C 35 Mk-III “Midnight Mistress” Hampton VA From: CnC-List [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chuck Saur via CnC-List Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2016 09:54 To: [email protected] Cc: Chuck Saur <[email protected]> Subject: Stus-List Lightning protection by design? Hello gang. Thinking of warm weather and reading the great article on lightning protection by Glen Miller (thank you whoever sent the link). I could absorb most of the intent, although some of the detail was a little over my head. One of the most critical points he made was to connect the mast to the keel for lightning to smoothly exit, and maintain other avenues for exit as well (chain plates, etc.). Here is the site again: http://waeshael.com/waeshael.com/Propane_and_Lightning_files/Lightning.pdf Now here is the question. My 35-3 has a keel bolt directly under the mast, and the mast is stationed within an aluminum tray. Direct metal to metal contact. So...by design, is this already a head start on proper grounding? My keel, (like everyone else's?) has a thin sheath of glass around the metal of the keel, but does this suffice? Hmmmmm...should I feel safer? Seems the chainplates and toerail need connecting to ground, but did C&C design help us out here? I always approached this topic with confusion, and trying to get it figured out... Chuck Saur Morning Sky C&C 35-3 Somewhere in the Straits... _______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you like what we do, please help us pay for our costs by donating. All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
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