Question
Which of the following is good practice when installing ground wires on a tower for lightning protection?
Answer Options
- A) Put a drip loop in the ground connection to prevent water damage to the ground system
- B) Make sure all ground wire bends are right angles
- C) Ensure that connections are short and direct
- D) All these choices are correct
Correct Answer: C
Explanation
The goal of lightning protection is to provide the lightning strike with the fastest, easiest path from the tower directly into the earth. The electrical energy in a lightning strike changes so rapidly that it effectively acts as a very high radio frequency (RF) signal.
At these high frequencies, abrupt changes in the path, such as sharp 90-degree bends, drastically increase the impedance (opposition to current flow). This could force the lightning to jump to another, more dangerous path. Therefore, ground wires must be kept as short and direct as possible, minimizing bends and maximizing the conductor width (e.g., using flat strap) to reduce impedance.
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