Roger Halstead wrote:


The cluttering refers to a bottlebrush arrangement of multiple sharp points, but
the same idea applies to a single sharp point.

According to our electrical inspector it's not a myth, but I don't
know one way or another. However I do know that it would take little
to bleed a charge and a lot to control a strike. I also know that
every tall structure at the chemical company where I used to work had
lightening rods

Bleeding supposedly does just that. I prevents the charge from
building up to a potential that will help bridge the gap to the
feeders.

I don't know if I would call it a total myth, but I call it fairly risky
none the less. I know I sure wouldn't trust one to protect me from a
strike. I don't think they can bleed the charges from constant hard wind
and rain fast enough to do any good. It's like taking a whiz in a
whirlwind.

The last class I had at work on electrical safety was pro
lightening rods AND ground systems. (as was the one for skywarn from
the NWS)

I agree there, if he is talking about the traditional pointy lightning
rod used to protect other gear or buildings. I'm of the opinion strikes
can never be totally avoided, and the brush things are a waste of time.
I've heard of many reports of them being struck. Sometimes spraying hot
metal around and causing a fire hazard. And you still should have a good
ground even with those. To me, the only sure thing is expecting the
strike to happen, and safely controlling it's path to ground when it
finally does. So I'm firmly with polyphaser on that one. MK
--
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