Don t Be Shocked
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Health Fitness -> subcategory Other.
Don’t Be Shocked!
Title:
Don’t Be Shocked!
Summary:
What is considered the most dangerous weather hazard that occurs almost daily in the U.S.? This threat is so significant that every new home in North America includes protection systems to guard against it. If you guessed "lightning," you're right!
Keywords:
Weather Hazards, Lightning, Static Electricity, Lightning Bolts, Thunderclap
Article Body:
What is the most perilous weather hazard that happens nearly every day in the U.S.? Lightning is so dangerous that new homes in North America are equipped with protection systems to minimize potential damage.
According to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL), lightning is the visible discharge of static electricity within clouds, between clouds, or between the earth and a cloud. Thunderstorms occur when warm and cold air masses collide.
When lightning strikes the ground, it releases an electrical current of about 100,000 amps, vastly exceeding the 100 to 200 amps produced by typical home electrical panels. This can generate temperatures reaching 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The rapid heating and cooling of air around the strike create the thunderclap sound. Lightning isn’t limited to thunderstorms?"it can also be triggered by volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, forest fires, or even nuclear explosions.
Lightning Protection Systems
Given its severity, it's unsurprising that all modern homes feature some form of lightning protection system. Damage doesn't only result from the strike itself but also from the high-voltage currents it generates, which can travel through underground tree roots, metal railings, or even water pipes.
Protection systems work by redirecting these electrical discharges into the ground, reducing the risk to buildings. Here are some examples of lightning protection systems and their components as outlined by Inspect-NY.com:
- Air Terminals or Rods: Installed on buildings to defend metal roofs or chimneys, these rods should be placed no more than 2 feet from any exterior corner. Made of solid aluminum at least 1/2 inch in diameter, they should extend at least 10 inches above the roof.
- Grounding Rods: Metal rods driven into the soil should be at least 1/2 inch in diameter and 9 feet long, with only 12 inches above ground. Clamps, screws, and connectors should be stainless steel or bronze, with aluminum cabling.
- Water Pipes: These should be connected to the lightning protection system using a copper conductor and lead-coated water pipe clamp.
Your Lightning Protection System Installer
The effectiveness of a lightning protection system is monitored by organizations such as UL, the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI), or the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). If you’re having a system installed, ensure your installer is certified by one of these agencies.
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