Technician 2026-2030T0B10
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
When installing grounding conductors for lightning protection, you must avoid sharp bends. Lightning strikes have an incredibly fast rise time, meaning they act like very high-frequency electrical energy.
Sharp bends in a grounding wire act as an inductor, creating a high-impedance choke point for this high-frequency energy. Instead of following the wire to the ground, the lightning will likely jump from the sharp bend to nearby conductive materials, potentially starting a fire or damaging equipment.
Because of this, grounding wires should be run as straight as possible, and any necessary turns should be made as smooth, sweeping curves. Avoid right-angle bends entirely, making the distractor about precise right-angle bends the exact opposite of what you should do.
Previous · T0B09
Why should you avoid attaching an antenna to a utility pole?
Next · T0B11
Which of the following establishes grounding requirements for an amateur radio tower or antenna?