Technician 2022-2026T0B10
Which of the following is true when installing grounding conductors used for lightning protection?
C
Answer
Electrical, RF, and mechanical safety
Type
A
Use only non-insulated wire
B
Wires must be carefully routed with precise right-angle bends
C
Sharp bends must be avoided
D
Common grounds must be avoided
Answer Notes
Lightning strikes contain extremely fast-rising electrical currents that behave similarly to high-frequency radio frequency (RF) energy. Because of this, grounding conductors must offer the lowest possible impedance to direct the lightning's energy safely and quickly into the earth.
If a grounding wire has a sharp bend or a neat right angle, it creates a point of high inductance. This inductance acts like a roadblock or "choke" for the high-frequency lightning energy, which can cause the massive voltage to arc off the wire and jump into your home or nearby equipment instead of traveling to the ground rod.
Therefore, grounding conductors should always be routed as straight as possible, using sweeping, gradual curves if a turn is absolutely necessary. Options suggesting precise right-angle bends are incorrect because they cause arcing, and common grounds must actually be bonded together, not avoided.
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Which of the following establishes grounding requirements for an amateur radio tower or antenna?