Lightning Protection

Getting Grounded

[Offline]

Detailed overview By Ed Sherman

Good up-to-date summary: using a grounding system to protect from electrical shock and lightning, corrosion and radio interference and to prolong the life of electrical equipment. The complexities of grounding and bonding. Suggestions for catamarans. 9 pages with photos and diagrams.

[Professional BoatBuilder, April 2003]
- Order Issue 82 of Professional BoatBuilder

[Site]

By William J. Becker

The basics of lightning and lightning protections for boats, with diagrams, with a section on what to do if caught in a lightning storm. Written by a University of Florida professor.

[Centers for Disease Control, USA]
- Lightning Protection

Lightning Protection

[Offline]

Detailed how-to Lightning Protection

Protecting both the boat and the sailors from lightning.

[Cruising World, December 2001]
- Order the Cruising World back issue

Lightning Examined, Part One

[Article]

Overview By Kevin Hughes
Lightning Examined, Part One

Background information about how hundreds of thousands of volts can pass through your boat.

[SailNet, 11 July 2002]
- Lightning info for cruisers

From the Experts on Lightning

[Article]

Overview By Jeffrey Isaac

Most of what you have been told about lightning is false, according to this writer who has canvassed the experts. Metal does not attract lightning, the Cone of Protection is inaccurate, grounding systems do not increase the likelihood you′ll be hit, and more.

[Ocean Navigator, December 2003]
- Read the article (fee $5 a year)
- Order the back issue

Lightning Precautions

[Article]

Brief How-To By Don Casey
Lightning Precautions

How to protect against a lightning strike by grounding the mast and rig, installing a static dissipater, and shielding your electronics.

[SailNet, 16 May 2002]
- Lightning protection

Lightning Strike

[Offline]

Detailed How-To By Kathy Barron and Tom Wood

The pros and particularly the cons of a lightning bonding system, aka lightning grounding, and how to install the various components. 3 pages.

[Sail Magazine, August 2002]
- Order the Sail Magazine back issue

Ground Rules

[Offline]

Detailed How-To By Fred Roswald

How to protect your electronics from damage by current induced by a lightning strike. 2 pages with photos.

[Sail Magazine, August 2002]
- Order the Sail Magazine back issue

Lightning Protection FAQ's

[Site]

Manufacturer

This company makes lightning dissipaters for industry. Their site contains some good background information on what you are facing when you attempt to stop or re-route a lightning strike.

[Lightning Master Corporation, Clearwater, FL, USA]
- Introduction to white papers
- Lightning phenomena
- Bonding and grounding
- Voltage surge suppression
- Lightning rods
- Streamer-delaying air terminals
- Additional detailed materialks

Lightning and Sailboats Video

[Site]

Pamphlet about the physics of lightning, and effects such as side flashes, and explains some of the principles of lightning protection for sailboats. (Also a 23-minute video covering the same subject you can play on your computer with RealPlayer, download (60MB), or buy on VHS.) Q & A and papers on various aspects of lightning protection.

[Ewen M. Thomson, Gainesville, FL, USA]
- Lightning protection

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