What is a lightning conductor ? How does lightning conductor prevent damage to buildings during lightning ?

Hi Yashita,

The lightning conductor is a metal rod or conductor mounted on top of a building and electrically connected to the ground through a thick wire, to protect the building in the event of lightning. The upper edge of the lightning rod has several pointed structures which points toward different directions in the sky. If lightning strikes the building it will preferentially strike the rod. Thick wires or stripes of copper or aluminium are used to conduct the lightning harmlessly to the ground. As the thick conductor offers a low resistance path for the electricity, the current will flow to the ground through it easily, without affecting the building. The lower edge of the conductor or stripe is connected to a heavy earthing rod, which is properly earthed.

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Alightning rod(US,AUS) orlightning conductor(UK) is a metal rod or metallic object mounted on top of an elevated structure, such as a building, a ship, or even a tree,electrically bondedusing a wire orelectrical conductorto interface withground or "earth"through anelectrode, engineered to protect the structure in the event oflightningstrike. If lightning hits the structure, it will preferentially strike the rod and be conducted to ground through the wire, instead of passing through the structure, where it could start a fire or cause electrocution.

Alightning rodis a single component in alightning protection system. Lightning rods are also calledfinials,air terminalsorstrike termination devices.The lightning rod requires a connection to earth to perform its protective function. Lightning rods come in many different forms, including hollow, solid, pointed, rounded, flat strips or evenbristle brush-like. The main attribute of all lightning rods is they are conductive.

Copperand its alloys are the most common materials used in lightning protection.

Pointed lightning rod on a building

HOPE IT HELPS!!!!

THUMBS UP!!!

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