As far as "active" targeting goes, a flat, planar roof definitely does not "attract" lightning. Points of attraction are high, sharp & pointed, conductive objects that help to form the leader (ground to air) strike. That said, lightning has a tendency to splay around and involve objects near the leader and the multiple return strikes. I suppose heavy grounding of your shiny new roof might be wise, as is done in the case of high buildings. As I am sure you know, the electric field inside a conducting sphere is zero...but a house with a metal roof is only a very rough approximation to this ideal case (grin). I think the esthetics of rain sounds would normally outweigh the dangers of lightning damage...my condolences on your multiple damages (been there, done that myself). I don't think the metal roof had much to do with them.
John Ragle -- W1ZI On 9/14/2011 3:55 PM, Alan D. Wilcox wrote: > Is that new metal roof a target for the next storm? ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
