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Lightning protection systems generally are installed externally on a building. If specified an internal system can be installed during construction. The concealed system (internal system) has all the conductor cable and connections within the frame of the building. Connecting rods connect the internal portion of the system to lightning rods that are exposed on the exterior of the building. The only portion visible on a concealed system is the lightning rods itself; normally this is a 10-inch copper or aluminum point (lightning rod). It is just as safe to run all the conductor materials inside a building, as it is to run it externally outside the structure. Many people ask if that can start a fire because the conductor cable runs within the 2 x 4's or enclosed wood area of the structure. There is no danger of fire starting if lightning strikes the system for one reason. If you are using the proper Class I or Class II conductor cable and the system is installed properly there will be no heat created by a lightning strike. A lightning strike is instantaneous and there is no measurable resistance in the conductor cable. With no resistance there is no heat build up; therefore no fire hazard. Many people believe that copper cable is copper cable and any copper cable if "hefty" enough can be used for lightning conductor cable. This is not true. Lightning protection cable cannot be obtained at a local building center or hardware store. Proper lightning conductor cable has been designed to have at least 65,000 circular mils of conductivity. We won't get technical on what this means but proper cable must be stranded with at least 32 strands of wire with each strand being of at least 17 gauge. Too big of strands or too small of strands will not work properly. Lightning voltage electricity travels on the surface of each strand and needs the proper amount of surface area to travel on and enough of them. The strands have to be woven or braided in order for the electricity to travel properly on it. It needs breathing space for electricity to flow freely. Cable must also not be coated with plastic, rubber, paint, and lacquer. It must remain bare. Saving yourself a hundred dollars on buying inexpensive, improper cable will cost you more in the long run because you will end up with lightning damage. If the wrong materials are used and not approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) as lightning conductor cable, your insurance company will not pay the claim. Therefore you will suffer a loss much greater that what you saved on buying the wrong materials. The LPI (lightning protection institute), NFPA (national fire protection association) and UL (underwriters laboratories) all work together in writing the specifications, guidelines, codes and instructions on proper lightning protection equipment, materials, and installation. UL must approve all components manufactured for lightning protection before they are manufactured and sold. All materials must contain the specified amount of copper and alloys or aluminum and alloys. The cables must meet strict criteria on thickness, conductivity and weight in order to perform their job effectively. Lightweight materials or improperly manufactured material is not acceptable and will not pass their inspection and be approved. The highest standards are demanded from UL and the manufacturers of lightning protection equipment. Article Source: http://www.articlewheel.com
This information has been developed by Richard Train (www.wsielitewebcreations.com) for Automatic Lightning Protection (www.lightningrods.com/).
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