A lightning rod is a simple metal rod with a pointed end that is attached to a building’s roof. It carries electrical current away from a structure by providing a path to the ground. When lightning strikes a building, it seeks to find a path with little or no resistance. Without a lightning rod, electricity may enter a home through electrical or internet lines or water pipes. As a result, a power surge may cause major electrical damage or even a fire.
Why You May Need a Lightning Rod In Your Home
The chances of a lightning strike are high. The United States has over 40 million lighting strikes annually. Lightning destroys or damages thousands of homes and structures each year. A direct strike to a structure can rip through roofs and chimneys and ignite fires. An indirect or secondary lightning strike to a nearby tree or power line can cause electrical surges in a house. Also, lightning can enter through phone, cable, and internet lines, as well as roof projections such as weather vanes, antennas, and satellite dishes.
Installing a lightning rod in your home may be one of the most effective ways to protect yourself. First, contact a professional who is qualified to design and install a certified lightning protection system. It will be designed to control or force the discharge onto a specified path, hence eliminating the chance of fire or explosion within non-conductive parts of the home. A lightning protection system is designed to provide a safe path for current to directly enter the ground.
Contact Tim Kyle Electrical Services
Installing a lightning rod in your home may be one of the most effective ways to protect yourself during powerful storms. If you are looking for residential electrical service in Emmitsburg, MD, contact Tim Kyle Electrical Services. We’ve been serving residential and commercial customers with responsive, trusted, and professional electrical services since 1986.