What Are Lightning Arrestors?

Lightning Arrestors are installed on top of tall structures like multi-storey buildings, skyscrapers, etc., to prevent damage from lighting strikes. A Lightning Arrestors safely dissipate the lighting into the ground without causing any harm to anybody.

How Lightning Arrestors Work?
Basically a Lightning Arrestor is a metal rod that is made of conductive material like copper or aluminium placed on the top of tall buildings in areas prone to Lightning strikes. In case lighting strikes the structure, the charge is carried through the Lightning Arrestor to some conductive wires that transfer the charge safely into the ground. Lightning Arrestors can also effectively protect the insulation on electrical and telecommunications system if lightning strikes.

Why Lightning Arrestors Are Needed?
Lightning Strikes can severely damage transmission lines in transformers and similar electrical devices. The voltage spike caused by lighting in incoming power lines can also cause damage to household electrical appliances. Lightning strikes can also cause start a fire, cause explosions when air or water gets excessive charge and can also lead to loss of flexibility.

Origin Of Lightning Arrestors:
Benjamin Franklin, the renowned American scientist, was among the first credited with conducting Lightning Arrestor experiments and collecting relevant information about the best electricity conducting materials, etc.

Famous Structures and Lightning Arrestors:
Statue of liberty, the White House, Taj Mahal and the Capitol Building (U.S) are some examples of famous building which have Lightning Arrestors.

Types Of Lighting Conductors:

• Series Resistor Lightning Arrestors – These kinds of Lightning Arrestors use spark gap, hence the time taken to start arrestor conductivity.
• Silicon Resistor Lightning Arrestors – These kinds of Lightning Arrestors need no spark gap, hence the reaction time is faster.

Lightning Arrestors help save loss to property and life from lightning strikes. Lightning Arrestors are a big help in places where there are frequent lightening strikes. Investing a little amount in installing reliable Lightning Arrestors could help prevent heavy losses from Lightning strikes. Taller a building or structure, more necessary it becomes to install Lightning Arrestors to ensure safety of the people and property.