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Re: [TowerTalk] lightning arrester suggestions

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] lightning arrester suggestions
From: Jim Brown <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>
Reply-to: jim@audiosystemsgroup.com
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2025 14:27:13 -0800
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
On 12/15/2025 1:56 PM, n4zkf n4zkf.com wrote:
As mentioned, the buss bar should be connected to the house ground, and I also 
have a ground ring around each tower with 9 rods all shot to the ring and not 
clamped. Keep it all on the same potential.

That depends entirely on the distance between the tower and the premises. Lightning is an RF event, and at RF, a wire looks like a big inductor. I've seen credible recommendations (IEEE, for example), that says if more than 60 ft, (I've used 100 ft) a bonding conductor is not needed for lightning safety. BUT -- if there is mains power at the tower, wiring to it MUST, by law, carry a bonding conductor (green wire) for electrical safety -- that is, to blow a breaker in the event of a fault that makes a chassis "hot" to protect personnel.

73, Jim K9YC







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