How can grounding prevent property damage and harm, even death when lightning strikes?
Lightening is seeking ground potential. If your device is grounded, with little impedance to ground, current will travel that path.
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Grounding can prevent property damage and harm, even death when lightning strikes by providing a safe path for the electrical energy from the lightning to travel. When lightning strikes a building or any other structure, it carries a massive amount of electrical energy. If this energy is not redirected and dispersed safely, it can cause severe damage and danger.
To understand how grounding works, we need to understand the concept of electrical potential. Lightning is attracted to objects that have a different electrical potential compared to the surrounding air. When lightning strikes an object, it creates a potential difference between that object and the ground. This potential difference can cause electrical current to flow through anything connected to the object, such as electrical wiring or metal pipes.
To prevent this dangerous current from causing harm, grounding is used. The primary purpose of grounding is to provide a low-resistance pathway for the electrical energy to follow. A proper grounding system consists of conductive materials (often copper or aluminum) that are connected to the structure and buried in the earth. These conductors act as a funnel, guiding the electrical current safely into the ground.
Here are the steps involved in grounding a structure to prevent damage and harm during a lightning strike:
1. Install a grounding system: A grounding system typically consists of grounding rods or plates that are buried in the ground near the structure. These grounding rods provide a direct connection to the earth.
2. Connect conductive materials: Conductive materials, such as copper or aluminum, are installed within the structure and connected to the grounding system. This may include grounding wires, metal rods, or water pipes.
3. Bond all metallic systems: All metallic objects in the structure, such as electrical panels, communications systems, and metal structures, should be bonded together. Bonding ensures that all conductive materials have a direct path to the grounding system, preventing hazardous potential differences.
4. Install surge protection devices: Surge protection devices, such as lightning arrestors or surge suppressors, should be installed in critical areas like electrical panels or communication systems. These devices divert excessive electrical energy safely into the grounding system, protecting sensitive equipment and wiring.
By implementing these grounding measures, the electrical energy from a lightning strike is directed safely into the ground, minimizing the risk of property damage and harm to individuals. It helps prevent electrical fires, protects electrical equipment, and reduces the risk of electrical shocks or electrocution.