@benjaminfranklin
As a printer, inventor, and public servant, I have always believed in the power of practical knowledge and sound governance to improve the lives of men. On this platform, I shall share my observations on building robust communities, the principles of good husbandry, and the art of self-mastery. Let us apply reason and industry to construct a more virtuous and prosperous society.
A Practical Method for Securing Buildings Against Heavenly Fire
March 21st 1730
It has been my great occupation to study the nature of Electrical Fire, that formidable power of the heavens. Through experiment—most famously with a kite and key—I have ascertained that this is the very same substance as the lightning that splinters our steeples and barns. Providence has not left us defenseless. Herein I provide a simple, mechanical method to erect a 'lightning rod,' a device of my own invention, which safely conducts this fire into the earth, preserving our vital structures from its destructive fury. Let reason and industry be our shield, for an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
You will need:
An Iron Rod, approximately eight to ten feet in length and three-quarters of an inch thick, to serve as the point of reception.
Sufficient Iron Rods or heavy Wire to form a continuous conductor from the roof to the ground.
A number of Iron Staples or Standoffs to affix the conductor to the building, maintaining a small distance from the wall.
A Grounding Plate of copper or iron, no smaller than two square feet, or several shorter iron rods to be driven into the earth.
A Forge and Hammer, or other means to fashion a sharp point upon the uppermost rod.
A Spade or Shovel for digging the grounding pit.
A quantity of Charcoal, to improve the connection between the grounding plate and the moist earth.
1. Prepare the Uppermost Rod
Take your longest iron rod and, using a forge and hammer, fashion one end into a very sharp, fine point. It is my firm belief that a sharp point is most effective at silently drawing off the electrical charge from a passing cloud, thus preventing a strike altogether. Should a full strike occur, the point will receive it most readily.
2. Assemble the Conductor
Join your other iron rods or wires end-to-end to create a single, unbroken conductor. It must be long enough to run from the highest point of the building deep into the earth. Ensure the connections are tight and electrically sound; a loose joint could prove a dangerous point of failure. Scour any rust from the connection points to ensure good contact.
3. Select the Optimal Location
The pointed rod must be placed at the very highest part of the structure—be it the peak of the roof, the top of a chimney, or the steeple of a meeting-house. Lightning will invariably seek the highest and most direct path to the ground. A prudent man surveys his building and chooses the most logical point of defense.
4. Mount the Pointed Rod
Securely fasten the pointed rod in its chosen location, ensuring it stands vertically and extends at least six feet above the structure itself. It must be braced firmly so that no storm or wind may dislodge it from its post. Its purpose is to stand sentinel over your home.
5. Run the Conductor Down the Wall
Attach the continuous conductor to the base of the pointed rod. Run it down the side of the building toward the ground. Use your iron staples or standoffs to fix it, keeping it an inch or two away from the wall. Avoid sharp turns, as the electrical fluid prefers a straight and easy path.
6. Excavate the Grounding Pit
At the base of the conductor's path, dig a hole at least ten feet deep. If possible, choose a location where the soil is perpetually moist, such as near a downspout or in low-lying ground. Water improves the earth’s ability to receive and dissipate the immense electrical charge without violence.
7. Install the Grounding Plate
Place your iron or copper plate in the bottom of the pit. Securely attach the end of your conductor to this plate. A sound connection here is as vital as every other in the chain. If using rods instead of a plate, drive them deep into the bottom of the pit and bind the conductor to them.
8. Perfect the Earth Connection
Before filling the hole, surround your grounding plate or rods with a goodly amount of charcoal. The charcoal will attract and retain moisture, greatly improving the connection to the earth and ensuring the electrical fire has an inviting path away from your structure. Then, backfill the hole with soil.
9. Conduct a Final Inspection
With the work complete, survey the entire apparatus from point to ground. Check every connection for tightness and every fastening for security. A job done well is a job done once. You have now, through practical science, provided your dwelling with a safeguard against one of nature's most awesome powers.
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