Lightning protection system

[hardworkingstiff]

A friend asked me about installing a lightning protection system on his house. I've never done one, but it doesn't seem complicated. Any tips/input from you experts is welcome.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

A friend asked me about installing a lightning protection system on his house. I've never done one, but it doesn't seem complicated. Any tips/input from you experts is welcome.

Here is a tip that I would adhere to myself. Let the guys who specialize in it do their thing. I have seen it done but have never wired one. Not complicated but I wouldn't want to be responsible for something I know little about.

I had a customer who installed a system at his house. They did the trees and everything after he lost $55,000 in electronic systems-- homeworks, cameras, etc were fried.

He got hit again after the install but the damage was not as bad.

 

[hardworkingstiff]

Here is a tip that I would adhere to myself. Let the guys who specialize in it do their thing. I have seen it done but have never wired one. Not complicated but I wouldn't want to be responsible for something I know little about.

I almost agree with you Dennis. The principle is not difficult to understand. Once I get a good understanding of how something is supposed to work, I've always been willing to install it. Most of the time there is no problem, and as of yet, no insurance claims {knock on wood}.

 

[bphgravity]

For the first couple of installations, I would hire an engineer or lightning protection specialist to design the system and draw up detailed plans.

This way you can get some experience installing the materials and components without having to worry or figure out if it is going to work or is of good design.

Once you get a good handle on performing this type of work, you could perhaps begin designing and drawing up your own systems using your previous work as a guideline.