Re: Lightning Rod Problem

Article View: sci.electronics

Article #17721

#17721

From: barry ornitz
Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1987 14:23

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About three years ago, the Journal of the Franklin Institute published an
article on the current state of lightning research.  Based on mathematical
models and experimental evidence, a pointed lightning rod is not optimum.
In general, most lightning rods are actually hit several feet below the tip.
The best shape from mathematical simulations is an ellipsoidal tip.  This
article dispels much of the popular "scientific" notions about lightning
rods preventing strikes by draining the charges with ionization from a sharp
point.  I recommend this article highly to anyone seriously interested in
lightning protection.  The Journal normally prints papers on advanced control
theory and mathematics, but from a historical background, they always give
space for papers on lightning research.
                                                Barry
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|  ___  ________  |
| |  / /        | |  Dr. Barry L. Ornitz   UUCP:...!rochester!kodak!ornitz
| | / /         | |  Eastman Kodak Company
| |< < K O D A K| |  Eastman Chemicals Division Research Laboratories
| | \ \         | |  P. O. Box 1972
| |__\ \________| |  Kingsport, TN  37662       615/229-4904
|                 |
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Path: arc1-ca.pugleaf.net!utzoo!mnetor!seismo!rochester!kodak!ornitz

References: <204600003@prism>

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Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: arc1-ca.pugleaf.net!utzoo!mnetor!seismo!rochester!kodak!ornitz
From: ornitz@kodak.UUCP (barry ornitz)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Lightning Rod Problem
Message-ID: <881@kodak.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 6-Jul-87 10:23:44 EDT
Article-I.D.: kodak.881
Posted: Mon Jul  6 10:23:44 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 7-Jul-87 04:32:49 EDT
References: <204600003@prism>
Reply-To: ornitz@kodak.UUCP (barry ornitz)
Organization: Eastman Kodak Co, Rochester, NY
Lines: 21
Keywords: lightning, Franklin Institute, research
Summary: Ellipsoidal tip is best!

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