Lightning conductors are used to protect building from lightning strikes. Which of the following statements is / are true about lightning conductors?
- 1. Lightning conductors create an electric field at its top so that lightning strikes it preferentially
- 2. Lightning conductors reduce the effect of the strike by uniformly distributing the charge (current) over the surface of the building
- 3. Lightning conductors take all charge (current) to deep down in the earth
- 4. Lightning conductors must be installed at a place taller than the building
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1 and 2
3 and 4 only
1, 3 and 4
4 only
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2015
– Statement 2 is incorrect. Lightning conductors provide a direct, low-resistance path to the earth, diverting the lightning current away from the building’s structure, not distributing it over the surface.
– Statement 3 is correct. The conductor system is connected to grounding rods or plates buried deep in the earth, allowing the immense electrical charge from a lightning strike to dissipate safely into the ground.
– Statement 4 is correct. For a lightning conductor to effectively intercept a strike, it must be the highest point of the structure it is protecting.