[Elecraft] A dumb question about lightning

[Bob McGraw]

Fred is absolutely correct on this point.  The NEC {National Electrical 
Code} clearly states that all driven grounds MUST be bonded to the AC 
mains service entrance ground.  There is NO exception to this 
procedure.  An exception does exist  when the structure is XX number of 
feet distant from the AC mains service. (I forget the distance number).

In general, your station ground must be bonded to the AC mains ground.   
Otherwise, your equipment is in the current path between two or more 
different ground points.  Even with antennas disconnected or grounded, 
and the station turned off, the path of least resistance between the two 
grounds is through your equipment.   That will definitely let the smoke 
out of the box. Not good.

Please deal with science and facts.  DO NOT rely on "old ham lore" that 
is most likely incorrect and gets more and more incorrect with the 
telling or writing.

73

Bob, K4TAX



Message: 20
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2023 13:20:06 -0700
From: Fred Jensen<k6dgwnv at gmail.com>
To: Geoffrey Feldman<geoffreyf at comcast.net>
Cc:elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A dumb question about lightning
Message-ID:<87985aa1-b606-cec8-f07c-5edbadbdc810 at gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed

Be very careful of advice regarding lightning protection.? There are
some very good sources, starting with the NEC and including material
from ARRL.? Some is somewhat non-intuitive.? For example, the NEC
requires that any additional "earth electrodes" [aka ground rods] be
bonded to the service entrance earth electrode with a low inductance
path. There's been quite an array of advice circulating here recently,
much of it wrong, some dangerous.

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County