Lightning protection used to be a high
priority in lightning-prone parts of the
country. But changes in insurancepremium
credits and building
techniques contributed to its demise.
Now it is making a comeback due to
new construction materials that make
buildings vulnerable and to the
increased use of electrical and electronic
equipment in households.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is widely
used today for piping. But when PVC is
used today for metal soil stacks, underground
waste lines, and cold-and
hot-water pipes, only the electricalwiring
system in the building is left to
conduct the lightning discharge
downward to electrical ground.
Aside from this potential danger with
non-metal piping, the contents of
households have changed too.
Microwave equipment, VCRs, and
home computers can be knocked out