Which of the following is good practice when installing ground wires on a tower for lightning protection?
Put a drip loop in the ground connection to prevent water damage to the ground system
Incorrect. Having a drip loop in the ground connection is not necessary and does not contribute significantly to lightning protection; the goal is to have a direct path to ground.
Make sure all ground wire bends are right angles
Incorrect. Ground wire bends should not be right angles because sharp bends can introduce inductance and resistance, impeding the effectiveness of the grounding system.
Ensure that connections are short and direct
Correct. Short and direct ground connections minimize resistance and inductance, providing the most efficient path for lightning energy to dissipate.
All these choices are correct
This answer is incorrect because not all the listed practices are beneficial for effective lightning protection.
Header text
When installing ground wires on a tower for lightning protection, it’s important to ensure that connections are short and direct. This practice minimizes the resistance and inductance of the ground connection, allowing for an efficient path to dissipate the lightning strike’s high currents. The goal of grounding is to protect equipment and personnel by directing the energy safely into the ground. Long or coiled wires can introduce unnecessary resistance and inductance, which could reduce the effectiveness of the grounding. This is critical because inadequate grounding can lead to damage of equipment due to the high voltages and currents associated with lightning strikes. Therefore, ensuring that the ground connections are short and direct is essential for proper lightning protection.
T0B01 2022-2026