Lightning rods protect buildings from strikes
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
If lightning were to strike a lightning rod on a building, it would melt the rod.
This astonishing fact comes from Richard O'Connor, 67, a longtime painter and roofer from Marion.
So what exactly do lightning rods do? According to O'Connor, they "bleed out" the positive charge in a building or in the ground under a building, drawing it up and away from the building toward the negative charge in a lightning bolt.
Lightning rods are connected to cables which run down the side of a building into the ground.
When lightning is about 150 feet above the top of a protected building, the positive ground charge starts upward through the cable and lightning rod to meet and neutralize the negative downward stroke. This happens in 1/1000 of a second.
If a building has no protection, the ground's positive charge accumulates under or in the building. If lightning strikes, the negative charge enters the building, causing possible fire, destruction, side flashes within, or even injury or death.
O'Connor installs lightning protection systems throughout the state.
"I'm in the roofing business, and the two kind of go together because you're up there anyway," he said.
Aluminum or copper cable is available, but copper costs four times as much as aluminum with no added benefit, according to O'Connor.
His lightning protection "Bible" is a manual published by Robbins Lightning, Inc., located in Maryville, Mo.
The manual tells him everything he needs to know to place the necessary lightning rods in the right places on a building.
Chimneys, antennaes, and other vertical projections need protective rods of their own.
O'Connor said painting the cable does not diminish its effectiveness.
In addition to new installations, O'Connor also repairs old systems. He checks for broken cables and loose points.
Although old enough to retire, O'Connor faces the temptation to do so with trepidation.
"I've been working since I was 14 years old," he said. "Settling down doesn't interest me."
His two sons worked with him when they were growing up. Since then, he works mainly on his own.
He retired from military service after 30 years and has lived in Marion for 20.
Two of his children, Verlenia and Howard, are graduates of Marion High School.
O'Connor and his wife, Jane, who is employed by Marion County Head Start, enjoy visiting their children and taking in their two grandchildren's activities.
He warns consumers against being hooked by con artists who promise something they don't deliver. He said it is better to rely on someone they know is experienced and knows how to do the job right.
Although he has cut back on big roofing jobs, he hopes to stay active in the business for the foreseeable future.
"It's been a satisfying business," O'Connor said.
