There are peer reviewed analysis of the claims and effectiveness of
those 'brush' or 'porcupine' devices. They have been shown to not work
as described. They may make a decent lightning rod as the sharp points
can generate nice streamers to connect to the downward traveling
lightning leader... thus the signs of 'high voltage activity'. but they
can not dissipate the charge buildup nor create an effective shield over
a structure to prevent lightning.
To quote John Anderson (our company's main lightning consultant and
member of various ieee and cigre lightning committees over the years and
author of many works on lightning protection of power systems and
structures):
<quote>
Abdul M. Mousa, "The Applicability of Lightning Elimination Devices to
Substations and Power Lines," IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol.
13, No. 4, Oct. 1998m pp. 1120-1127. Available from:
abdul.mousa@bchydro.bc.ca)
Paper was peer-reviewed by six reviewers under threat of lawsuits. Paper
states that these devices do not work as the manufacturers claim.
1997 Report on Dissipation Arrays, funded by FAA, Naval Research Labs,
NASA, and USAF
The report, 274 pp., compiled by 17 scientists and engineers from around
the world, provides no definitive physical or theoretical evidence that
lightning dissipation arrays prevent lightning. The USAF presented
photos showing the arrays being hit by lightning. Contact Mousa for more
information.
</quote>
David Robbins K1TTT
e-mail: mailto:k1ttt@arrl.net
web: http://www.k1ttt.net
AR-Cluster node: 145.69MHz or telnet://dxc.k1ttt.net
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
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