[Elecraft] Lightning Strike - Metal Roof attracts?

[TI2/NA7U]

Alan,

Listen to Don Wilhem, he knows of what he speaks. Even if you can't get all
that done, get a start on it. I live in Costa Rica and in the "winter"
months (June-Nov) it would be /unusual/ if we didn't have a lightning storm
nearly every day. If I were you I would at a minimum get that roof grounded
at the corners with as big a gauge of bare copper wire that you can. If you
get a hit on the roof it will want to travel to ground and you want to guide
it there, not let it find its own path, which will likely leave a trail of
destruction.

Unplugging stuff is really not the answer. Should lightning travel down that
unconnected cable you might get a nice plasma ball out the free end. Keep a
fire extinguisher handy.

The Sycom whole house surge suppressor is what we use here and it works
great, especially for strikes on the power lines that may be miles away. It
takes a surge to ground in 5 ns and connects directly and easily to the main
panel. Cost, ... about 50 bux. Little surges like that can damage any
equipment in your house right away or gradually over time. You won't even
know they are happening until you put one of these suppressors in when you
will sometimes notice the lights dim for a fraction of a second as it takes
another one to ground.

Good luck!

Casey, TI2/NA7U
http://cloud-warmer.blogspot.com

-----
Costa Rica Blog 
--
View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Lightning-Strike-Metal-Roof-attracts-tp6794269p6818636.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.