On Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:21:10 -0400, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"Wayne.B" wrote in message
.. .
On Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:28:55 -0400, "Eisboch"
wrote:

Makes sense to me and since it is a totally passive device (not powered
....
just grounded to the arch) I left it on.

If you go to a harbor like Newport, RI that has a lot of really large
sailboats at the dock, you will frequently see wires clipped to the
rigging and hanging in the water. Typically these will be something
like the zinc "fish" that West Marine sells. They come with an
attached wire and large alligator clip. The theory is that if you
keep the rigging well grounded that charge will bleed off the mast
before it gets to dangerous levels. I have no idea whether or not it
works, but my theory is that it can't hurt, and a lot of people who
manage large expensive boats seem to believe in it. We do it on the
GB when it is docked in the summer, one on each side. I usually end
up drilling and tapping the fish after a year so I can attach a fresh
wire and clip.


That makes sense.

I think that often too much effort is made to "attract" the strike, thinking
it's potential can be managed through grounding schemes. I think it's
better to devise systems that minimize the chances of a strike.

Hundreds oh thousands of lightning rod equipped buildings have been
struck at least billions of times with no damage. I watched a TV tower
struck seven times in two seconds. The picture on the set was not
affected. Thinking humankind cannot devise a way to safely handle
lightning strikes is just ignorant.

Casady