Lightning Rod conductor

[MA_Electrician1]

Can a conductor from a lightning rod to ground be run inside a wall or small building?

 

[mdshunk]

you bet. .

 

[hillbilly1]

I rewired an old courthouse years ago ( It was built in the late 1800's) The main structure was wood with a brick exterior, The clock tower had a lightning rod on top with a pre-attached wire to run down. The historical committee wanted me to run it inside the building down the wood beams. I did not feel that this was a good idea, as a strike could superheat the conductor catching the wood on fire. I did not want to take that responsibility and refused to do it. they of course found somebody that would take the risk. I have found that lawyers will still try to hold you responsable even if the engineer told you it was ok.

 

[ron]

It can be run in the wall. The down side (pun intended) in my opinion is that if there is a strike, the movement of that conductor within the wall will damage the wall. I usually have it run on the outside of the building sleeved in PVC as needed.

 

[winnie]

I've seen old building where the copper down conductors were solid bars that had developed a very nice patina.

-Jon

 

[masterinbama]

I've seen old building where the copper down conductors were solid bars that had developed a very nice patina.

-Jon

And they also bring some pretty good money from the scrapyard. I tore some out of a bank building not too long ago. It was 6 stories tall and had 6 down conductors about the size of 3/4 copper pipe. Engineer wanted this replaced with modern lightning protection equipment

 

[brian john]

What did you use for the replacement LPS?

 

[masterinbama]

Standard braided down conductors and new air terminals. The origional solid bars were in HVAC chases that were being done away with.