[Elecraft] Lightning Strike - Metal Roof attracts?

[John Ragle]

As far as "active" targeting goes, a flat, planar roof definitely does 
not "attract" lightning. Points of attraction are high, sharp & pointed, 
conductive objects that help to form the leader (ground to air) strike. 
That said, lightning has a tendency to splay around and involve objects 
near the leader and the multiple return strikes. I suppose heavy 
grounding of your shiny new roof might be wise, as is done in the case 
of high buildings. As I am sure you know, the electric field inside a 
conducting sphere is zero...but a house with a metal roof is only a very 
rough approximation to this ideal case (grin). I think the esthetics of 
rain sounds would normally outweigh the dangers of lightning damage...my 
condolences on your multiple damages (been there, done that myself). I 
don't think the metal roof had much to do with them.

John Ragle -- W1ZI

On 9/14/2011 3:55 PM, Alan D. Wilcox wrote:
> Is that new metal roof a target for the next storm?