Lightning Protection Systems | Franklin vs Prevectron

[@InternetHistorian]

This is one of my favourite channels

[@ngamashaka4894]

Strangest anime cross over ever.. :)

[@ErikB605]

Feels really random seeing you here :D

[@brainwashingdetergent4322]

True story!

[@superdupergrover9857]

Not what I expected, but a welcome event nonetheless.

[@littlerhino2006]

Wholesome

[@lightningelectrotech]

Nice video but I can assure you that criticisms of ESEs by the scientific community definitely include the Prevectron. All ESEs are based on the assumption that the upward connecting streamer/leader moves at a constant speed, hence the notion that if you can generate one earlier, it will cover a greater distance and provide a larger zone of protection… However it well understood from theory, testing and observations that this is not the case. The speed of the upward streamer/leader is determined by its proximity to the downward leader. The closer the upward streamer/leader gets to the downward leader, the faster it moves. Therefore if you try to generate the upward streamer/leader early, when the downward leader is still farther away and the Efields that it generates are weaker, the early streamer/leader will simply move more slowly if at all and there’s no reason to assume a larger zone of protection. None of their laboratory testing addresses this critical and fundamental issue. In fact more recent peer reviewed research shows that the attempt to generate the upward streamer/leader early is detrimental to effective lightning protection by an effect known as, space charge shielding.

[@ABC-wz2db]

I only clicked on the video because of you Belinda, u rock

[@johnlary8792]

My brick chimney was struck by lightning in the mid-1970s. Blew the top off the chimney (I saw bricks raining down in my across-the-street neighbor's yard). Energy came into my attic where it vaporized about 20 feet of telephone line in the attic and exploded the small transformer that ran wall electricity to my Princess telephone located on the second floor. I assume that the house electrical wiring provided a path to earth for the energy that entered my house via the attic telephone wiring (we have underground electric and telephone utilities in my neighborhood). No fire, but it sounded like a bomb exploded inside my chimney (I was sitting on the first floor facing the fireplace). My wife was in the next room and thought I was dead when she heard the explosion. Minor damage, but memorable event. My house was new then and the chimney was the highest point. Now have two oak trees in the front yard that are much higher than my chimney.

[@ahmedosman9699]

4:00 I just want to thank u so much , this is the best explanation of early streamer emmision (ESE) air terminal i've encountered yet

[@AndyFletcherX31]

The Franklin rod combined with a decent earthing system is the gold standard for lighting protection. Early streamer systems are basically a waste of money - if you work out the breakdown voltage of air then you quickly realise that the small additional zone of protection isn't worth the expense. You can pay a lot of money for some of these fancy systems which don't improve protection but they sound clever - something so expensive must be good, right? I've spent a lot of years designing communication sites with towers up to 120M high. Design factors include ensuring that the rods extend above the highest antenna/dish with horizontal rods at appropriate levels down the side on taller towers. You can shelter microwave dishes below the horizontal rods. Make sure any down-conductors have large bend radius and go to a dedicated earthing system. You really have to simulate protection systems as a resistive-inductive model (that 7cm wide earthing strap is an inductor when you are playing with di/dt in the order of 10^9 A/s) so ensure external cables are properly routed to prevent current being diverted away from the earthing system.

[@MichielJorrickMeidem]

I could imagine those towers get hit by lightning on a regular basis, is the protection you calculate absolute or is there a chance given right conditions (lighting exceeding force) it could still go wrong (damage the dish/electronics)? just interrested to know.

[@AndyFletcherX31]

@@MichielJorrickMeidem With lightning nothing is certain and protection doesn't always work. Regarding protection with horizontal rods lookup "rolling sphere method lightning protection", this appears to be as good a way as any for working out if an area is protected by a protection rod but remember, there are always exceptions! When analysing these systems consider a lightning strike as a current source with an effectively infinite voltage available to push the current through whatever it meets. As the strike may have come through 50m of air before striking the tower it will happily arc across any small gap or sharp bend in your downconductor without hesitation.

[@jawkeye]

Great video, thank you for sharing. I had one of those little boxes with a green light on my electrical panel, and I looked up what it was. I found it was a whole house surge protector, made by a company that went under after the surge protectors were recalled for causing fires. I replaced it.

[@JohnSmith-kf1fc]

I didnt know about prevectron, clever system. Great video again!

[@nicholasboccio]

I dont know how I missed this video. 2 years ago I TRIED to get a lightning system installed on both my home and the two gorgeous trees in my front yard - but no one called me back. I ended up having an arborist come out, who said that they could have a system installed on the trees at $1500 each, but basically told me that he thought I was wasting my money because of the slim chances of lightning hitting one of the trees. IMO, $3,000 is WAY less than my home's value and sellability will drop if one or both trees are damaged or destroyed by lightning. I was happy to pay that now, and thanks to this video will again try and get someone out here to install a good system.

[@donaldbundy3499]

Shocking topic. Thank you for your research in this electrifying subject. OK I'm going to conduct myself appropriately and recharge.

[@Don.Challenger]

Belinda Carr, another good one - I learned again, as with all your episodes.

[@war5561]

Man. This lady is just.. the best. Such clear and concise explanations that even I can understand. Thanks so much for all this info

[@SinnisjInsulator]

Grounding rods are super important and I don't think many know why. Thanks gor the education. Great explanation on both systems.

[@stephenmorrissey1254]

I have an unused television antenna on the roof with a copper ground running down the outside of the house to a buried copper rod. I've wondered if I should take it out or if it would help in a lighting storm. Beats me.

[@donaldbundy3499]

If you leave it up make sure the ground cable is of adequate size and still securely connected to the buried rod. Most TV antenna installers under rate this ground wire. Also the TV antenna cable leading into the home should be removed from the antenna mast if not terminated elsewhere. Such as at an antenna lightning arrestor before entering the home.

[@DaveWhiteInYoFace]

I was hit by lighting. Now I’m a super hero. Lightening is underrated.

[@grondhero]

Lightening is not a heavy subject. ;)

[@lindacgrace2973]

I will have a clay tile roof and adobe/lime plaster exterior walls (typical Spanish colonial construction in Arizona). What many people don't realise is that as dry as it is during most of the year, during monsoon season, Arizona is host to more thunderstorms on average than any other state. I already planned to add a surge protector. Now, I will add a Franklin system, as well. Thanks for great information - and keep up the good work!

[@BelindaCarr]

Good luck, Linda!

[@chrisforker7487]

Very informative! I love your cadence, it fits my learning style. Thanks

[@kamaljeetgrewal1928]

Could you do a video on vacuum insulation or Passive house any time soon

[@BelindaCarr]

Working on those topics! Thanks.

[@justingammon6200]

As someone that installs lightning protection for a leading company, I get asked a lot about prevectron systems. They don’t work. Too many lawsuits show that.

[@julianjohnson9850]

I live in the Tampa Bay area, the lightning capital of North America, and my home has been struck by lightning twice in 1 year. Each time was an expensive and inconvenient experience to say the least. I'm currently looking for a electrical contractor to install a complete lightning protection system. So far the places that I've called only want to sell me a surge protector on the main panel and when I insist on air terminals, they act like they've never heard of such a thing. I've lived in houses that had this type of protection before, so I know it can be done. I just wish it was easier to find a company to do it.

[@edbouhl3100]

And it’s even harder to find someone who can install tree lightning protection!

[@makapalatrace8385]

Great vid. Have a Franklin System on a 500’ chicken house that is used for storage/work shop. The ends use weather vane combos.

[@timharrington4470]

I always learned the most interesting things on your channel. Thank you for your hard work

[@kyoni6098]

In western Europe (don't know about the rest) lightning protection is mandatory. I believe it's mostly the Franklin system and we rarely (never?) hear about house fires due to lightning. Most fires are careless owners with gas/electricity/cigarettes/... We do hear about tree fires from lightning as those are usually not protected (in Europe).

[@BelindaCarr]

Thanks for sharing!

[@travcollier]

Wait, what? Standard roof systems don't integrate any lighting protection? Ben Franklin would be so disappointed. I remember something about that being the invention he was most proud of, because it can save so many lives.

[@aceninteynine]

You see a lot of old farm houses and barns in New England that had Franklin style installations, but you almost never see these on newer buildings. Just yesterday I was driving by a old beverage factory and noticed a lightning rod installation on top of their smoke stack and was thinking how you never see these anymore.

[@freethebirds3578]

I was thinking that recently as we drove around Amish areas of our state. Many Amish barns and farmhouses have lightning rods, but new houses don't. My husband's grandparents bought an old schoolhouse and sunk a lot of time and money into making it their family house. It did not have any lightning protection and it burned to the ground when it was struck, taking all of grandpa's tools with it. I will want something if we ever get our own house.

[@andrewmutavi590]

Missed ur videos, am back now, time to catch up, awesome work as always

[@TerranVisitor]

Love your videos - thanks. As I understand it, Tesla found that a sharp point would attract lightning and during the current discharge to ground would 'explode' the buildings facade where the 'ground' wire ran. He then found that a sphere instead of a sharp point would cause the streamers or what have you to be 'chased away' from the area - thus no strike would ultimately form.

[@scottjohnson5415]

My mother lived in Oklahoma City. Like you in north Texas, severe storms, tornadoes, etc. were a yearly problem. She had a cable box, and two television sets that were fried by lightning strikes. The first time it happened was when I was young, and they still had television repairmen that made house calls. He showed me on the circuit board where the lightning had scorched the circuit board and made its way through the television set. When weather got bad, my mother would unplug major appliances, and we were told to not use the telephones.

[@elonmask50]

Ah yes, lightning and surge protection, spent a few years trying to explain the benefits of lightning and over voltage protection to customers and just how critical proper installation was. Just a small correction, lightning energy doesn’t travel long distances thru services, it depends on the type of service, but, the voltage is so high, that it ionises everything in its path to earth, this is usually helped by the amount of wet surfaces that usually accompany lightning.

[@redsmith9953]

I'm wondering about lighting protection for no metallic small boats in rivers or saline water...

[@BogdanDuceac]

My grandpa was an electrician, when my father wanted a portion of land to build his house, my grandpa accepted with one condition, to make the base in the ground of franklin system before they sign the papers. That base was a set of 3 pieces of 5 inches round pipes and 3 meters long each, after that, the house was build and connected with materials that electric company sugested. They were so pleased of the well done base in the ground. I know that grounding it's very important and you don't play with it, or you see what happens.

[@CharlesBabayi]

Thanks a lot for sharing. I really enjoyed the presentation and details. Cheers

[@Srulio]

Thanks for excellent video. Lightning strikes are a hot issue with cruising sail boats.

[@MinkieWinkle]

This video sparked my interest.

[@KaceyGreen]

We had to install lightning rods on my grandma's farm as the house kept getting struck, they tried a single rod but she had to switch to the smaller units like you showed before the wiring types

[@KaceyGreen]

Both were Franklin but they tried a big one like a church steeple and ended up with a system like shown here

[@BelindaCarr]

Thanks for sharing! Did the smaller Franklin rods prevent all future lightning strikes? They didn't have any power surges or fires?

[@KaceyGreen]

@@BelindaCarr the surges and burned equipment happened with no treatment and the steeple system but none of the strikes after the array of smaller ones was installed allowed any more equipment to fry until she moved and sold the place

[@mathiastshibinda1491]

Bonjour Belinda,je suis un chercheur et j'ai trouvé interested le prevectron3. Je peux te poser quelques questions?

[@Gail_the_Snail]

Do you or anyone in the comments know if you can buy a prevectron? I know you mentioned the company is stationed in colorado, but do they only sell the product if they install it? or do they sell just the product directly to customers or only to electrical contractors?

[@phunwithphiphi8055]

Interesting, did you discover any info on steel roofed homes with steel frame bonded to a monolithic floating slab with a Ufer ground?

[@AndyFletcherX31]

@@froufroufeatherstone6291 Ufer grounding is where you use the steel-reinforced concrete foundations of the building as the earthing point. This grounding method can be very effective for larger buildings.

[@vipahman]

My electrical contractor messed up my Franklin system by installing it only 1 ft underground (diagonally) because the ground was rocky and he was lazy. Unfortunately for me, he installed it literally 2 ft away from my buried 1000 ga propane tank. Idiot! So I went DIY and reinstalled it with double ground rods and the proper way ~8 ft down. I'm also DIY'ing a metal roof, bonding each panel (as they are separated by butyl tape) to a 3rd grounding rod. Apparently, my town does not have a code on metal roof grounding.

[@pulporock]

I was just doing some research on this exact topic for a future home. I think power lines into the house need some sort of protection. Houses burning down from a lightning strike is such a rare event for modern homes. I was waiting to hear at the end of this vid you were being sponsored by Prevectron, glad to hear not. As always excellent content.

[@donaldbundy3499]

They make relatively inexpensive whole house surge suppressors which you can install but an electrician is suggested.

[@sparksmcgee6641]

@@donaldbundy3499 conditioning the power supply to some degree is now code in the latest version. cost less than surge protectors on all the computers. maybe a $200

[@travcollier]

@@sparksmcgee6641 True, but UPSs handle (brief) failures, brownouts, and some types of unstable power nastiness that cheaper surge protection doesn't. I've lots count of the number of times we've had big enough interruptions to flicker the lights and reset appliance clocks, but computers didn't even notice. More importantly, several times we've lots power for longer periods but didn't lose communications since our internet modem and router are on a UPS (they don't really draw much power, so even a small UPS lasts a long time.) Maybe not the best solution now that you can pretty easily get a decent solar+battery system (one which disconnects from the grid when power goes out), but UPSs are still pretty great.

[@cammmcgregor4873]

I have been looking at installing some lightning protection systems and I found this very interesting. However, I've done a bit more research and think you may want to review some of the claims for the ESE systems. The scientific claims are refuted by experts in the field and standards governing installation of lightning protection systems have refused to acknowledge them. There is also at least one case where a building experienced a direct strike right in the center of the (supposedly) protected area resulting in significant damage. Thanks for hosting this channel, its great to get some quick perspectives on these interesting topics

[@genoangelica1354]

Fantastic video thank you so much for all your time and research well done I really enjoy your videos

[@BelindaCarr]

Thank you!

[@PeterPellerzi]

Good summary , thanks for making this video

[@OisinHiggins]

Interesting video. Was there insight into the total life cycle costs of the Prevectron vs Franklin system? How many capacitor cycles is the system rated for? And what are the servicing requirements and costs?

[@ccvee7287]

Any manufacturer warranty?

[@valkhii]

We never had a lightning strike our home. Then my parents moved closer to the city where we live and only a couple of months after the new owner of our old house had to deal with a lightning strike frying the heating and other systems. I am so glad my parents didn't need to go through all that 😖

[@mumblic]

The biggest lightning strike here is the presented price: I guess gold is used instead of copper and the workers take a break every 15 minutes. I checked local prices (Europe): I've got prices between 10% and 20% of the given prices. I feel something is of here?

[@thefixitgal]

Great Video!!! Thank you

[@8BitNaptime]

How about laser guided lightning?

[@willemh3319]

ot is used standardly in the netherlands unless you refuse

[@gcmoore5987]

Belinda, let us know if you find a DIY Tesla lighting prevention system. I would like to build one for my boat

[@carlthor91]

I use a surge suppressor as shown, but for line surge due to transformer failure. Endured one, thankfully in summer. Just had to replace computers and washing machine (mother board fried), not the house. Best wishes from 1,760 miles directly North.

[@LCNWA]

My brother's family they live in Houston lost hvac, all tvs, phones land & cell after lightening hit tree out front of their house . I had franklin version put in grounded the upgraded electrical box as have 75 yrear old tree located on side of house. Ground goes down 8/9 feet. After this winter no telling what spring & summer have in store but we live in Texas we're never board! 🙉🐵🙈🙊

[@BelindaCarr]

Texas weather sure is unpredictable!

[@andrewphillips8341]

I learned a lot, thanks!

[@imanboer]

I love your channel, please make video about A Frame House, Pros and cons with right insulation, I think is more informative and interesting if you make it. thank you for your videos

[@Kberrysal]

What about using something like EMP Shield is designed to protect an entire home from lightning, solar flare (coronal mass ejection), power surges, and an electromagnetic pulse.

[@jcschwarb]

Very good content. Couple notes: I dont agree with your DIY negativity. Many of us have more than enough engineering background to exceed LPS companies as there is little to no certification oversight. The ESE does not substitute for good design practices that comply with IEC standard 62305.

[@Don.Challenger]

Belinda Carr, how is your home protected?

[@BelindaCarr]

No lightning rods, but our electrical system and pool equipment are grounded.

[@war5561]

Ok my biological family in AL says that lightening can travel through phone lines. Is that true or nah?

[@MonkeyJedi99]

If you want to see a LOT of lightning protection in one place, check out the roof of an MRI facility.

[@samerm8657]

Thank you for the upload. Gud vid Pleased be the Algorithm

[@tobiaskarlsson9771]

I'm curious to learn how many direct strikes that lightning counter will survive. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Also, Surge Protectors protect against high VOLTAGE spikes (not current). They might be useful if there's a lightning strike far away leading to a modest spike in the voltage, but I doubt they serve any purpose if lightning strikes your house.

[@Jo-xf4nt]

With the Magnetosphere weakening we are likely to have more lighting. Not only from clouds to ground, but from ground to clouds. At this time there is no known safety protection against the second type. If you find one, let us know. Great video as usual.

[@metrazol]

As a new homeowner now I have something new to worry about...

[@nafismubashir2479]

Palm trees I hear are also very effective

[@grondhero]

When I lived in Arlington, either our duplex or someplace close by was hit by lightning. My computer's modem was fried, even though there was a surge protector and the computer was off at the time. Other than that, the closest lightning strike was to a tree in a neighbor's yard where my parents used to lived. Burned a nice chunk out of the trunk and part of the tree snapped off. If the Prevectron system has a lot of advantages over the Franklin system, why wouldn't Prevectron be used on houses?

[@tinytonymaloney7832]

We had a lightning strike to a nearby telegraph pole and blew up the phones, and anything attached to it in about 5 close by houses. That said I still don't think I would invest a substantial amount of money on LPS for the house, it just doesn't seem worth it. Great video by the way 😊

[@BelindaCarr]

Yeah, it's a tough investment decision because the small likelihood of a lightning fire.

[@littlerhino2006]

This is a serious topic for amateur radio operators, intentionally erecting a tall and conductive structure demands consideration to the subject.

[@sirlitoylagan3102]

Where to buy prevectron

[@sparksmcgee6641]

Had a client that was building a home when their mountain home was struck and burned down, then the house under construction was struck before finished the same year. All of their houses have a lot of copper rods on them now. Asked them what they did to piss off God!

[@BelindaCarr]

Yikes!!

[@ZergRadio]

I am to ugly, that is why lightning never strikes my home :P

[@Chris-op7yt]

unless lightning protection becomes much cheaper, the cost of protecting most susceptible homes and businesses is far in excess of yearly damage bill. so only makes sense for high value assets in prone areas.

[@brainwashingdetergent4322]

You are bossome (awesome but at boss level)

[@BelindaCarr]

Lol, thanks!

[@justarandomtechpriest1578]

I heard there was a laser one That is my favorite

[@guai9632]

this prevectron thing looks like bs. your protection system should be stupid, thick and heavy, with no funky stuff in it

[@D2O2]

Assuming no loss of life, still cheaper to not put either system on my house, take my chances and if I lose, let the insurance company make me whole. Hard sell. If you want to know which system works, ask a longtime owner of a sailboat. My experience is neither.