A grounded tower is NOT less likely to be hit by lightning.
Actually a grounded tower is a little more likely to be hit than a non
grounded one.
However you are still much better off with a grounded tower as you have some
control of where the strike energy goes after the hit. You can route it
safely to earth when it is grounded. Ungrounded, the lightning finds its own
way to earth usually by a path not wanted by you.
Grounding the beam elements to the boom is probably a good idea so that you
don't have arc overs from lightning strikes or near strikes.
73
Gary K4FMX
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:towertalk-
> bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of StellarCAT
> Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 4:09 PM
> To: tower
> Subject: [TowerTalk] lightning and insulated elements..
>
> has there been any previous discussion on the merits (or lack
> thereof) of insulated
> elements visa vie lightning? I recently installed a tower system
> will 5 f12 antennas -
> all having insulated elements... the tower I believe is well
> grounded as are the cables.
>
> Last night we had a storm pass by maybe 5 miles away and I was
> standing outside
> watching - wondering.... and there was a bolt that was well
> maybe a few miles away
> and almost immediately I heard kind of a slow sizzling sound
> from around the tower.
> I was standing - 200' from it (next to the house). Nothing
> visible... all was disconnected
> (in the house) at the time and all works fine today.... but it
> made me wonder. Normally
> a well grounded tower is LESS likely to get hit (I have never in
> many years with towers
> been hit on the tower) but with insulated elements - one would
> think a charge could
> readily build up on these things!
>
> thoughts?
>
> Gary
> K9RX
>
>
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