w_tom wrote:
Described by jakdedert is a building all but begging for lightning
damage. For example, a cow stands in an open field when lightning
strikes a nearby tree. The cow is killed. Killed by electromagnetic
fields? Of course not. Killed because cow was part of a path from
cloud, through tree, into earth to earth borne charges maybe miles
distant. The electrically shortest path was not under the cow. It was
up cow's hind legs and down fore legs. Cow was part of a direct
lightning strike from cloud to distant earthborne charges.

Cow could have lived is a halo ground surrounded the cow. That
buried conductor would have, instead, routed electricity around (not
through) cows. The concept is called single point earthing. Cow with
separated legs has multiple earthing connections - therefore dead. Cow
centered in a halo ground has a single point ground.

jakdedert describes here (and previously) utilities (ie mutli-line
phones) entering and earthed more like the cow. Building is even worse
because earthing points are farther apart. Destructive charge can
enter building on telephone line (overhead or underground line) either
from its grounding connection or via utility wire (from nearby struck
tree, from other struck building, or entering via ground rod). That
transient crossed building, destructively through appliances, to obtain
earth via AC electric.

Yes, I've had problems which I have detailed here before. Still, the
above (and snipped portions) still beg the question: It's gonna be at
least 20 feet of copper between the service and ground. Still better to
single point? That's the 'hit' I'm getting....

Anything would be better than what we have, right? Upgrade the ground
conductor? I've read (here?) that 1/8" copper tubing is superior to the
(looks like) 12 ga. wire currently used in the phone and power grounds.

From the above, I'd assume that 'anything' I did to lower (and
equalize?) the impedance to ground would be--even though not ideal--at
least an improvement. How about multiple ground rods, one at each
service drop--connected together with the aforementioned tubing?

I know that if I could get the telco to drop the lines in between the
cable and power drops, the job would be significantly simplified...and
yes, I have a 100'+ oak tree within 20' of the house.....

jak