Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 March 1896 — Power of a Lightning Stroke. [ARTICLE]

Power of a Lightning Stroke.

It is no doubt interesting to express the force of a stroke of lightning in horse-power. During a recent storm which passed over Klausthal, Germany, a bolt Struck a wooden column in a dwelling, and in the top of this column were two wire nails 5-32 inch in diameter. The electric fluid melted the two nails instantly. To melt iron in this short time would be impossible in the furnace now in existence, only be accomplished with thd'am of .electricity, but a current 200 amperes and a potential of 20,000 volts would be necessary. This electric force for one second represents 5000 horsepower, but as the lightning accomplished the melting in considerable less time, say 1-10 of a second, it follow® that the bolt was 50,000 horse-power.