Lightning Conductor

[jayenram]

Went up to Phnom Rung (Burriram) in the week and noticed there was a new lightning conductor on the top of the main tower. I followed the cable down with my eyes and imagined the difficulty of the task, given the shape of the structure and the very uneven surfaces. When my eyes reached the bottom I was surprised to see this:

Whether they didn't order sufficient cable or didn't know it should be connected to an earth rod, I don't know.

[chiliwasabi]

So close yet so far! Lets just hope it is a work in progress.

[phibunmike]

Jayenram,

Are you sure that is lightning conductor cable? From the picture, it looks more like two pieces of co-axial cable normally used for radio/tv applications. Lightning conductors usually use a heavier gauge strap.

Cheers,

Mike

[jayenram]

Jayenram,

Are you sure that is lightning conductor cable? From the picture, it looks more like two pieces of co-axial cable normally used for radio/tv applications. Lightning conductors usually use a heavier gauge strap.

Cheers,

Mike

Cannot be certain, no. But there is what looks like a lightning conductor on the top of the tower (it's a long way up so difficult to be positive) and the cable goes all the way to the top. I cannot imagine a radio/TV antenna being of much use in that position i.e. outside the sanctuary itself.

The complete tower looks like this:

If you zoom in to the top, you will see what I believe to be the conductor.

[pampal]

Cables are not normally used for lightning conductor. The picture shows electrical cables and not the typical copper used for lightning conductor.

[phibunmike]

Jayenram,

Are you sure that is lightning conductor cable? From the picture, it looks more like two pieces of co-axial cable normally used for radio/tv applications. Lightning conductors usually use a heavier gauge strap.

Cheers,

Mike

Cannot be certain, no. But there is what looks like a lightning conductor on the top of the tower (it's a long way up so difficult to be positive) and the cable goes all the way to the top. I cannot imagine a radio/TV antenna being of much use in that position i.e. outside the sanctuary itself.

The complete tower looks like this:

If you zoom in to the top, you will see what I believe to be the conductor.

Yes, hard to see clearly but it does indeed look like a lightning rod on the top. Also trying to imagine why there would be two antenna cables. Hopefully they are not planning on putting a cell-phone site on the top !!! A mystery. What a great excuse for a trip down to Phanom Rung

[jayenram]

Cables are not normally used for lightning conductor. The picture shows electrical cables and not the typical copper used for lightning conductor.

TiT. :D

[Pink Mist]

yorkie the electrical engineer

[Smilodon]

It looks too limp and thickly insulated to be actual lightning rod grounding cable.

Was it an antenna or a lightning rod that it led to?

Incidentally, lightning rods are designed to drain the static charge from the air before it builds up to enough potential to make a lightning strike.

They are not, primarily, intended to be a path for lightning to follow to ground, as that amount of current will vaporize or liquefy the conductor on the first "use."

[lampard10]

Remember in approx six weeks time, there will be TV cameras from EVERY station in Thailand and some others around the World centered on Phanom Rung to catch natures fantastic light show at the spring equinox. Could be something to do with it.

[tijnebijn]

Looks like it is spiderman who went up there,gosh.maybe to be sure he took some safety measures,but if they are cables....I would make sure if he is not a lunitic.

[thai_narak]

there should be only one grounding cable not two and normally in green color.

[jayenram]

Remember in approx six weeks time, there will be TV cameras from EVERY station in Thailand and some others around the World

They'll need an extension lead and a few splitters then.