A lightning conductor protects a building by providing a low-resistance path for lightning to safely discharge to the ground, preventing damage to the structure. It does this by inducing a charge on its pointed tip, which neutralizes the charge in the cloud, and then by safely conducting the lightning current through a grounded metal rod to the earth.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
1. Attracting Lightning:
When a negatively charged cloud approaches, the lightning conductor’s pointed tip becomes positively charged due to induction. This induced positive charge creates an electric field that attracts the negative charge in the cloud.
2. Neutralizing the Cloud:
The pointed tip is designed to be a good conductor, allowing the charge to flow from the cloud to the tip. This “leaking” of charge reduces the voltage difference between the cloud and the building, making it less likely for a lightning strike to occur.
3. Safe Discharge:
If lightning strikes, the conductor provides a low-resistance path for the lightning current to travel through a heavy metal rod down to the earth. This prevents the current from flowing through the building, which could cause damage, fire, or electrocution.
4. Grounding:
The metal rod is connected to the ground, ensuring that the lightning current is safely dispersed into the earth without harming the building.
In essence, the lightning conductor acts as a “lightning diverter,” preventing the lightning from striking the building directly and providing a safe path for the electrical energy to dissipate into the ground.