Lightning
Educational Videos For Home Sellers and Buyers
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Lightning
What is Lightning?
Within the maelstrom of a thunderstorm, lightning is born. Lightning is one of the most beautiful displays in nature. It is also one of the most deadly natural phenomena’s known to man. Lightning is caused by a discharge of atmospheric electricity from one cloud to another or from a cloud to the earth. Lightning can travel 90,000 miles per second and a lightning bolt can generate heat in excess of 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit- a temperature five times hotter than the surface of the sun. This temperature is so hot that it can turn sand into glass. Lightning is the 2nd leading cause of storm deaths and according to the National Weather Service, (NWS) lightning strikes somewhere on the surface of the earth 100 million times a day!
The Dangers of Lightning
Lightning causes millions of dollars in property damage in the United States alone, so it is very important to take the precautionary steps to secure your home. A lightning strike can easily set fire in a home or commercial property. However, most lightning damage occurs from an electrical surge that can short out computers, appliances, phone systems and the buildings electrical systems. Lightning DOES NOT have to hit the home directly to result in property damage. For example, a neighbor’s tree can be struck by lightning and fall on a nearby home, leaving it uninhabitable. There is good news though; most personal injury and property damage caused by lightning can be prevented.
Avoid the Threat of Lightning
At the first sign of lightning or thunder, seek shelter. Stay indoors, especially during a lightning storm, and away from electrical equipments and telephones as well as any source of water. Stay away from windows and doors. Good shelters are substantial buildings or fully enclosed vehicles, like a car, truck, or van. Lightning currents can branch off to a person from a tree, fence, pole, or other tall object. If you are caught outside, avoid high areas, open water, metal fences, wires, and other horizontal conductors. Stay away from trees, poles, flagpoles, or other vertical conductors. If you are indoors, avoid water, stay away from windows and doors, do not use the telephone, turn off, unplug, and stay away from appliances, computers, power tools and television sets.
Lightning Protection Systems
A lightning protection system that complies with nationally recognized codes can be a huge asset in the event that a lightning bolt strikes your home. Lightning protection systems consist of a lightning rod that is connected to heavy grounding cables. When and if lightning strikes your home, the bolt will most likely strike the lightning rod which will send the electrical charge through the cables and safely into the ground avoiding your home. However a lightning protection system will not protect a home from fire or electrical damage entering through the telephone, cable or electrical lines. All connections to a structure, surface and buried, electrical, telephone, cable television, and plumbing, are potential routes for lightning energy, so whole-house surge protection is ideal. Surge breakers are available that can be installed on the main panel board or you can ask your utility company to install a surge suppression at the meter.
Contact your local electric company or a qualified electrician on the Treasure Coast, Port St. Lucie, Palm City, Stuart or Palm Beach areas for installation information
Lightning
Lightning
What is Lightning?
Within the maelstrom of a thunderstorm, lightning is born. Lightning is one of the most beautiful displays in nature. It is also one of the most deadly natural phenomena’s known to man. Lightning is caused by a discharge of atmospheric electricity from one cloud to another or from a cloud to the earth. Lightning can travel 90,000 miles per second and a lightning bolt can generate heat in excess of 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit- a temperature five times hotter than the surface of the sun. This temperature is so hot that it can turn sand into glass. Lightning is the 2nd leading cause of storm deaths and according to the National Weather Service, (NWS) lightning strikes somewhere on the surface of the earth 100 million times a day!
The Dangers of Lightning
Lightning causes millions of dollars in property damage in the United States alone, so it is very important to take the precautionary steps to secure your home. A lightning strike can easily set fire in a home or commercial property. However, most lightning damage occurs from an electrical surge that can short out computers, appliances, phone systems and the buildings electrical systems. Lightning DOES NOT have to hit the home directly to result in property damage. For example, a neighbor’s tree can be struck by lightning and fall on a nearby home, leaving it uninhabitable. There is good news though; most personal injury and property damage caused by lightning can be prevented.
Avoid the Threat of Lightning
At the first sign of lightning or thunder, seek shelter. Stay indoors, especially during a lightning storm, and away from electrical equipments and telephones as well as any source of water. Stay away from windows and doors. Good shelters are substantial buildings or fully enclosed vehicles, like a car, truck, or van. Lightning currents can branch off to a person from a tree, fence, pole, or other tall object. If you are caught outside, avoid high areas, open water, metal fences, wires, and other horizontal conductors. Stay away from trees, poles, flagpoles, or other vertical conductors. If you are indoors, avoid water, stay away from windows and doors, do not use the telephone, turn off, unplug, and stay away from appliances, computers, power tools and television sets.
Lightning Protection Systems
A lightning protection system that complies with nationally recognized codes can be a huge asset in the event that a lightning bolt strikes your home. Lightning protection systems consist of a lightning rod that is connected to heavy grounding cables. When and if lightning strikes your home, the bolt will most likely strike the lightning rod which will send the electrical charge through the cables and safely into the ground avoiding your home. However a lightning protection system will not protect a home from fire or electrical damage entering through the telephone, cable or electrical lines. All connections to a structure, surface and buried, electrical, telephone, cable television, and plumbing, are potential routes for lightning energy, so whole-house surge protection is ideal. Surge breakers are available that can be installed on the main panel board or you can ask your utility company to install a surge suppression at the meter.
Contact your local electric company or a qualified electrician on the Treasure Coast, Port St. Lucie, Palm City, Stuart or Palm Beach areas for installation information
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