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high qualtiy lightning rod

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coppercone2:
They don't build them like they used to. Manufacturers are always making conductors thinner nowadays.

https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/a-bolt-of-lightning-strikes-the-statue-of-libertys-torch/1638224

tooki:

--- Quote from: coppercone2 on April 06, 2024, 09:18:45 am ---They don't build them like they used to. Manufacturers are always making conductors thinner nowadays.

--- End quote ---
And what’s the evidence for this? Or is this just another of your fever-dream “the olden days were always better” conspiracy theories pulled out of thin air?

The physics of lightning haven’t changed, and the thickness of the lightning protection conductors is prescribed by code. That’s NFPA 780 for you in USA. Tables 4.1.1.1.1 and 4.1.1.1.2 on page 780-11 (PDF page 14) of the standard, attached below, give the required conductor cross-sections for both copper and aluminum conductors.

Gyro:
According to my between the wars 'Wonders of World Engineering' book. The copper shell (approx 3/32" thick) was insulated from the iron frame by Shellac coating and Asbestos strips so that no part was in direct contact, to prevent electrolytic corrosion. Obviously it wouldn't eradicate direct corrosion of the Iron from salt, but it helped it survive for well over 100 years before replacement.


Edit: I would assume that most of the lightning discharge current probably passes to ground via the copper shell, it would be difficult to sufficiently insulate a lightning conductor at the top.

ebastler:

--- Quote from: tooki on April 06, 2024, 10:33:49 am ---
--- Quote from: coppercone2 on April 06, 2024, 09:18:45 am ---They don't build them like they used to. Manufacturers are always making conductors thinner nowadays.

--- End quote ---
And what’s the evidence for this? Or is this just another of your fever-dream “the olden days were always better” conspiracy theories pulled out of thin air?

--- End quote ---

I took coppercone's post as a humorous one. The whole Statue of Liberty acting as a lightning rod, with undoubtedly larger cross-section than what you would typically find today (or yesterday, for that matter...) 8)

Zero999:

--- Quote from: ebastler on April 06, 2024, 03:42:37 pm ---
--- Quote from: tooki on April 06, 2024, 10:33:49 am ---
--- Quote from: coppercone2 on April 06, 2024, 09:18:45 am ---They don't build them like they used to. Manufacturers are always making conductors thinner nowadays.

--- End quote ---
And what’s the evidence for this? Or is this just another of your fever-dream “the olden days were always better” conspiracy theories pulled out of thin air?

--- End quote ---

I took coppercone's post as a humorous one. The whole Statue of Liberty acting as a lightning rod, with undoubtedly larger cross-section than what you would typically find today (or yesterday, for that matter...) 8)

--- End quote ---
Exactly. I seriously doubt a structure made of iron and copper needs a lightning conductor.

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