On our land we have an old water tower that is about 10 meters high and shielded by some big old bamboo plants. I’m not sure how old the tower is but probably around 5 years and, to my knowledge, it has not been struck by lightening. Not yet anyway but who knows about tomorrow? Currently there is no lightening rod on the tower but I have been toying with the idea of having one installed.

Any comments gratefully received.

What do you think would happen if it was struck by lightning?...without a rod?

It is a common misunderstanding that a lightning rod on a high building protects the nearby area against lightning.

Or rather, the extent of protection is usually vastly overstated.

A lightning rod protects the area within a code of 15Degrees from the top of the lightning rod. (In most cases this is only the tower itself)

If you have electrical pumps/level swithces etc on or very near your tower, it might be a good idea just to protect those cicuits.

You can read all about this in BS EN 62305

What do you think would happen if it was struck by lightning?...without a rod?

If the tower was struck without a rod in place I assume (maybe incorrectly) that the current would go to earth through the structure frying any friable bits on route e.g. pump and associated circuitry. Or perhaps, punch a hole through the tank? I really don't know what sort of damage could be caused

It is a common misunderstanding that a lightning rod on a high building protects the nearby area against lightning.

Or rather, the extent of protection is usually vastly overstated.

A lightning rod protects the area within a code of 15Degrees from the top of the lightning rod. (In most cases this is only the tower itself)

If you have electrical pumps/level swithces etc on or very near your tower, it might be a good idea just to protect those cicuits.

You can read all about this in BS EN 62305

This is news to me and I was suffering from the common misunderstanding mentioned!

So perhaps an alternative is to place the pump at ground level in between the four tower legs so that, I guess, the chance of lightening striking the pump or pump electrics is much reduced i.e. the lightening will strike the tower without causing any damage. Or is this just wishful thinking?