How It Works articles
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Lightning Protection Terms, Explained
A short glossary of the words that show up in lightning protection quotes, drawings and inspection reports, from air terminals and down conductors to NFPA 780, UL Master Label and the rolling sphere.
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What Are Lightning Rods Made Of? Copper vs Aluminum, Class I vs Class II
Lightning rods and their cables are made of copper, copper alloys, electrical-grade aluminum and, for some parts, stainless steel. Which one goes where depends on the roof, the building height and the soil.
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The Rolling Sphere Method: How Lightning Protection Zones Are Mapped
The rolling sphere method imagines a 150 ft ball rolled over a building: anywhere it touches needs protection. Here's the NFPA 780 rule, the formula, two worked examples, and why it changes how many air terminals end up in a quote.
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Lightning Protection System Components: The Five Parts Every System Needs
Every lightning protection system is built from the same five parts. Here's what each one does, the NFPA 780 rules that govern it, how it usually fails, and how residential and commercial systems differ.
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Grounding vs Bonding: What Each One Does in a Lightning Protection System
Grounding moves lightning current into the earth. Bonding keeps every metal system in the building at the same voltage while that happens. Here's how the two work together, and what goes wrong when bonding is skipped.
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How Does a Lightning Rod Work? The Science in Plain English
What a lightning rod is, how a strike actually connects to it, what Benjamin Franklin got right and wrong, and why the rod only works as part of a grounded, bonded system.
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The Difference Between Surge Protection and Lightning Protection
Many homeowners believe a whole-home surge protector provides complete protection against lightning, but surge protection and lightning protection serve different purposes. Surge protectors help reduce electrical voltage spikes, while a professionally installed lightning protection system safely intercepts and redirects lightning strikes away from your home. Understanding the difference can help protect your property, electronics, appliances, and electrical system from costly storm damage. Learn why combining both systems provides the best defense against severe weather.
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Do Surge Protectors Protect Your Home from Lightning?
Many homeowners believe a surge protector alone will protect their home from lightning, but that's only part of the solution. Learn how whole-home surge protection works, what it can and cannot do, and why combining surge protection with a professionally installed lightning protection system provides the best defense against lightning strikes, electrical surges, and costly damage to your home's electrical systems and valuable electronics.