On April 11, 2004 07:39 pm, Marc wrote: > > I would not worry about running wiring out side as long as proper > methods are used like drip loops and a bit of caulk. I think a outdoor wire > run would be only slightly more susceptible to lightning than a indoor run. > I will however add making sure that every thing is grounded is not by any > stretch of the imagination a cure all for lightning damage, but it is a > good step in the right direction. At times having 2 grounds at at > different locations can be much worse than no ground at all. During a > lightning strike the voltage at 2 different grounding rods 20 feet apart > can be several thousand volts for a few miliseconds . EVERYTHING > (electricty, phone line, cable line etc. ) in the entire home should all be > bonded to 1 common ground point for the best protection. Another thing, if > anyone thinks that a outlet strip with a surge supressor is going to stop a > mediem to strong surge, think again! It can stop thousands of small surges > but a good solid hit can get past it with ease. If you want to find out > about lightning protection talk to someone who does maintainance and repair > on telecommunications equipment where tall antenna towers are involved. > Those guys often learn a LOT about proper lightning protection from the > school of hard knocks. >
In fact two grounds is dumb because unless they are exactly the same potential the lightening surge will either hunt for the best one or just spread around the building rushing to both. Electricity isn't bright and won't say..ah-ha! this one is .001 ft closer..I'll go there! though most of it will. In the vast majority of cases two grounds will simply, as you say, make things worse. In our industry's experience the only thing that will stop a surge like that is the battery strings we use to back up our power to our switches. It doesn't do them any favours, mind, but with the exception of a direct hit and a flawed ground it will bleed the surge down to manageable levels. ttfn John
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