Hello,
Until now, I assumed that a lightning conductor is simply a standard part of building a house. However, when I asked about it during a sales discussion with a prefabricated house company, they said it is not required and that no one installs them. In fact, I have hardly seen a lightning conductor on any detached houses in my neighborhood, neither on new houses nor on those from the 1960s.
Is it common for detached houses to omit lightning conductors? How is lightning protection managed in those cases? Or is it a cost/risk assessment made by the homeowner?
Who is the appropriate specialist to consult about these questions during the construction phase?
Until now, I assumed that a lightning conductor is simply a standard part of building a house. However, when I asked about it during a sales discussion with a prefabricated house company, they said it is not required and that no one installs them. In fact, I have hardly seen a lightning conductor on any detached houses in my neighborhood, neither on new houses nor on those from the 1960s.
Is it common for detached houses to omit lightning conductors? How is lightning protection managed in those cases? Or is it a cost/risk assessment made by the homeowner?
Who is the appropriate specialist to consult about these questions during the construction phase?
K
KarstenausNRW19 Jun 2023 18:161. A lightning rod on a single-family home is an exception or a special case – it is also not legally required.
2. You need to distinguish between external and internal lightning protection:
==> External = lightning rod
==> Internal = surge protection ==> always installed
If there is no reason for an external lightning rod at your house (e.g., exposed location, taller than 20 meters (65 feet), etc.), then there is generally no reason to spend money on it.
2. You need to distinguish between external and internal lightning protection:
==> External = lightning rod
==> Internal = surge protection ==> always installed
If there is no reason for an external lightning rod at your house (e.g., exposed location, taller than 20 meters (65 feet), etc.), then there is generally no reason to spend money on it.
F
fm-united19 Jun 2023 19:43One must also be aware that a lightning rod can attract lightning. Is that really something you want on a single-family home?
ateliersiegel20 Jun 2023 08:52We had our previously existing lightning rod replaced.
As I understand it, such a rod is not a completely reliable safety measure.
Similar to a vaccination, it can even have the opposite effect of what is intended.
The statistics (which were quoted to me) say: the chances of being spared increase WITH a lightning rod.
However, as mentioned above, it also depends on the location of the house and various uncertainties, such as how likely a strike is to occur at the specific property.
As I understand it, such a rod is not a completely reliable safety measure.
Similar to a vaccination, it can even have the opposite effect of what is intended.
The statistics (which were quoted to me) say: the chances of being spared increase WITH a lightning rod.
However, as mentioned above, it also depends on the location of the house and various uncertainties, such as how likely a strike is to occur at the specific property.
F
Fuchsbau3520 Jun 2023 10:26For our mid-terrace house in a converted barn, no lightning rod is planned. When I asked, the electrician explained that nowadays this is managed through the circuit breakers (surge protection) in a building like ours.
R
roestzwiee9 Apr 2024 21:29I need to bring up this topic again.
I am currently building a prefabricated house myself.
My electrician explained that we need to connect the rain gutter and the exterior stainless steel chimney to the foundation earth electrode.
Through the rain gutter, the rooftop solar system can also be grounded.
The reasoning is that in case of a lightning strike on the solar system or chimney, it is safer if the current is directed outside the house.
The company responsible for the foundation slab was willing to route all the connections through the foundation to the outside but advised me to think this over carefully.
It was argued here that grounding is not necessary. On the contrary: if the system is grounded, it must be inspected regularly. If inspections are neglected, there could be problems with the insurance in case of damage.
I am now completely torn on what to do.
I am currently building a prefabricated house myself.
My electrician explained that we need to connect the rain gutter and the exterior stainless steel chimney to the foundation earth electrode.
Through the rain gutter, the rooftop solar system can also be grounded.
The reasoning is that in case of a lightning strike on the solar system or chimney, it is safer if the current is directed outside the house.
The company responsible for the foundation slab was willing to route all the connections through the foundation to the outside but advised me to think this over carefully.
It was argued here that grounding is not necessary. On the contrary: if the system is grounded, it must be inspected regularly. If inspections are neglected, there could be problems with the insurance in case of damage.
I am now completely torn on what to do.
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