Truths and Facts about Lightning

Ben Franklin's 1752 experiment with lightning — flying a kite into a thundercloud with a brass key tied to a conducting kite string — is widely known. But did you know that it was Franklin who invented lightning rods?

This fact sheet is presented to provide you with some interesting facts and truths about lightning and also to dispel some myths and untruths that you may have heard over the years.

FACTS:

• Lightning is a very random act of nature.
• Lightning is very unpredictable.
• Ben Franklin is credited with inventing “lightning rods”. His famous kite experiment dates back to 1752.
• There are about 1,800 thunderstorms around the world at any given time.
• About 100 deaths and 1,000 injuries occur each year.
• Lightning is our #2 weather-related killer in the U.S. Lightning kills more people than hurricanes and tornadoes combined.
• Lightning causes billions of dollars in property damage each year.
• Lightning travels upwards and downwards.
• Lightning can reach temperatures of approximately 50,000°F. Very, very hot!!
• Lightning causes more than 30% of church fires and almost 20% of lumberyard fires.

MYTHS AND UNTRUTHS:

• Lightning will always strike the highest object. FALSE. While this is generally true, in many instances, lower objects are often hit first.
• Lightning will never strike the same spot twice. FALSE. A good example is the Empire State Building, which is struck an average of 100 times per year.
• A lightning protection system will attract lightning. FALSE. A lightning protection system will not attract lightning but offers a safe path for it to follow, which allows the strike to travel safely to ground.
• Lightning protection is no longer installed. This was used only on farms and farmhouses in the 40’s and 50’s. FALSE. Today, lightning protection systems are specified by architects, owners and engineers for all kinds of public buildings and commercial applications. Thousands of installations are provided each year by qualified lightning protection system installers all across the U.S.

Lightning protection systems are very effective. More than 50 years ago, Underwriters Laboratories found that properly designed and correctly installed systems meeting the UL 96A installation standard are approximately 99% effective.

Consider a lightning protection system for your home, business or manufacturing facility. Protect your family, employees, your structure and it’s furnishings. Replace fear and worry with peace of mind and assurance.

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