Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1888 — L'GHTNG RODS. [ARTICLE]

L'GHTNG RODS.

Two Views of Their Vultie and the Harm or (food Thai Comes from Them. “Lightning rods are going out of use. Why? Because they are not believed to he "the protection that it was once thought they were.” This was what an •electrician onee told a reporter. Fifteen years ago the lightning roil agent was everywhere in the land, and more especially at every farmer’s door. Today, it is claimed, their number has materially decreased and farmers I are discontinuing the use of them. \ “What is your opinion upon the subject of lightning rods?” was asked of Chief Walker of the Pittsburg City Electrical Department by a Dispatch reporter:

“Candidly, in nine cases out of ten"” he replied, “I think they are humbugs. I believe it is a fact that more barns are struck and burned that have lightning rods on than off. In the first place, it is best to keep electricity as far away from the building as possible. The object of the lightning rod is to attract it. The rod is supposed to act as a conductor of the electrical current to the earth, but instead of being carried off, the current, in consequeee of faulty construction of the rod and attachments, is frequently switched into the building. The end of the w ire is supposed to be buried in moist earth, the moisture acting as a good conductor. Without strict attention the iron becomes oxidized and rusts off, and then the rod is worse than nothing. It is a positive danger under such circumstances, attracting the electricity of the atmosphere and having no adequate outlet for it. Then, again, the same danger arises when the the insulators upon the sides of the building become defective. The lightning is attracted from the atmosphere, where it might have remained but for the rod, and is turned loose against the building on its way to the earth. If, for instance, the attachments are poor or worn out, the current may be deflected and set fire to the building. This is no uncommon occurrence. In this city some vear. ago the lightning rod on the Belmont water works was struck and 'it fused. The current flowed on down and jjapfl about the much ine.ry i n the liveliest kind of a way. A big stone was knocked off the Washington Monument by lightning. When the ground contact is good and the lightning is about to strike a building a rod may be of use, but I think the rods do more harm than good. There was a time when the farmers were scared into rodding their barns and houses, but I think they are getting over that.” An-entirelvvdifferent view was taken by a lightning rod manufacturer, who is one of. the largest producers in the United States.

“No,” said he, “it is not true that the demands for the rods is falling off. The business this spring is not quite so lively as at this time last year, but the season is' a little late. It is all nonsense to deny the value of lightning rods as a protection for buildings. think that has been established long ago. Electricians may theorize upon the subject, but that does not count much against the practical test of their utility. Much of the prejudice against the rods is the poor workmanship, in setting them up. In such cases thalrods get the blame very unjustly. ' “Every man knows the principle on which a lightning rod works. It is composed ot iron or copper, ar a composition of both these metals. They are good conductors of the electric current and draws it down to the earth when it comes dangerously close to a building. There are about forty varieties of the rod, the copper being the best, as that metal is the best conductor. Here is another prejudice against the rods. A man puts up one rod at the end of the barn, for instance, takes no care of it whatever, and then expects that one rod to watch over the entire heavens for him. To secure protection for a large structure there should be a circuit of lightning rods, all connecting and all with good ground contact in moist earth. Destroy the condition of anything good and you wipeout its effectiveness. It is a fact first-class architects in this city include in their plans the lightning rod circuit. The agents are not connected with the manufacturers other than as purchasers of the rods- on their own account. Glass was formerly used as an insulator, but now we fasten the rods to the sides of buildings with iron clamps. Great care is exercised in the manufacture of the rods, and they are made in the most scientific manner possible." Confidence in HimseTf. New Yore Sun. Old Man—Do you think, young man, that you can give my daughter the luxuries she has been accustomed to! Young Man—l am hopeful in that direction, sir. The Only sealskin sacque and diamond ring she ever, had were presents from me; and were it not for yours truly, Delmonico’s to-day wonld be to her but a monumental brown'stone pile.'