Stickey diagram question

[kraftzion]

So in this diagram

http://www.mikeholt.com/graphics/touch2.gif

If you removed the planet earth bond at the transformer you would still have lightning protection and not be at risk of completing the circuit?
This is obviously a hypothetical question.

 

[charlie b]

You are right in saying the circuit through the person's heart (as shown in that diagram) would not be completed. However, there are other situations that would arise, just as dangerous as a shock from a fault in a light pole and far more likely to take place, if the transformer's connection to planet Earth were not present. And whatever potentially mitigating impact the bond might have on a lightning strike (and this is an arguable notion) would be lost, if the bond were not there.