Air Terminals

[dik]

Can anyone offer an explanation of why some air terminals (lightning rods) are sharp and some are rounded? I'd understood that the pointy ones were to dissipate charge and reduce the likelihood of a lightning strike and that the rounded ones were used to 'attract' lightning. thanks...

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[cranky108]

Not that I know much about attracting lighting, but to reduce point discharge of high voltage, we try to have rounded surfaces at the higher voltages. We also use some point masts for protection from lighting, but those tend to protect a conal area. A wire used for a lighting mast will cover a larger area.

 

[dik]

Thanks...

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[dauwerda]

Sharp tips were traditionally thought to be the best for air terminals, more recent research has shown that blunt tips (rounded) perform much better.

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/1350045

 

[dik]

Thanks dauwerda... this is consistent with the article I posted in thread1528-474080

https://www.kp44.org/LightningProtectionAirTermina...

The link doesn't seem to work now...it does from the thread, though...


Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik