There are many myths about lightning and lightning protection systems. Here are just a few to help understand more about the destructive force of lightning.

Q.  All modern buildings are "grounded" and don't need lightning protection, right?

A. No! This refers to the electrical service being grounded and is not adequate to handle a lightning strike.

Q.  If I put lightning protection on my house, won't it will attract lightning to the air terminals?

A. No! Lightning rods don't attract lightning to a structure, they merely provide it a safe path to ground in the event of a strike.

Q.  Will lightning rods prevent lightning from striking?

A.  No, just as lightning rods will not attract lightning, they will not prevent a strike either. Nothing can prevent a lightning strike from occurring, but you can handle it safely with a properly installed lightning protection system.

Q.  I don't need lightning rods because only tall buildings do / my neighbors houses are much taller than my house.

A.  No! Lower roof levels and structures are just as likely to be hit as tall objects. Lightning zigs and zags in the air looking for the lowest resistance path to ground and won't pick its target until within 150ft of where it will strike.

Q.  Do lightning rods really work?

A.  Yes! A properly protected building can withstand a multitude of lightning strikes. Major buildings like the Sears Tower or Empire State Building take dozens of strikes a year and they are still standing!