[TowerTalk] Conclusion: Ground Rods into Concrete

[Tom Rauch]

> There were 3 basic points
> brought up.
> 
> 1. Concrete could explode if the tower were hit by lightning.  Most agree
> this is a myth.

There are two cases I know of where this has happened on 
commercial BC towers with concrete piers holding the legs. It 
probably would be less of a worry on guyed towers.

I've seen ceramic insulators shatter from lightning, holes melted in 
2-1/2 inch aluminum pipe, and feedlines with the jacket split apart.
 
It would be pure unvarnished foolishness to depend on a ground 
inside a tower's concrete base when it is so easy to add a few rods 
around the outside. That's especially true when there are multiple 
arc paths inside the concrete, and surface area is small.

That would make a horrible lightning ground.
73, Tom W8JI
w8ji@contesting.com

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