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Sun, December 22 2024, 01:26 [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, [3], 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ]

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Date Posted: - Monday - 05/ 2/11 - 1:51pm
Author: gitano
Subject: Potential
In reply to: Paul - M31 #106, NJ 's message, "Lightning" on - Friday - 04/29/11 - 11:40am

Actually, grounding the masts brings them down to the same potential as the ocean surface. It does NOT broadcast a beacon to be hit, but rather makes is just a likely as the ocean surface to be hit, which is much less a chance than an ungrounded mast. There is a wealth of information on the internets - here is one such location http://www.discoverboating.com/resources/article.aspx?id=422

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Replies:

[> [> [> Lightning -- paul M31 #106, NJ, - Tuesday - 05/ 3/11 - 11:00am

If the grounded mast acquires the same potential as the ocean, which I agree happens on a grounded mast, isn't this potential then lifted up 35 ft or more into the air above that ocean, while offering a path?

I maintain that an ungrounded mast maintains it's own potential, independent from water or sky. It's ability to accept or guide a current or accept and store a voltage is miniscule.


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[> [> [> [> Lightning and sailboats -- gitano, - Friday - 05/ 6/11 - 3:32pm

Hi Paul, Interesting thought. You should read this article. Lightning does not care whether a mast is grounded or not. It will hit either one with the same statistical frequency. By grounding the mast you provide a path for the strike, once the positive and negative branches connect, to ground without using other conductors on its way to ground through a boat. If the boat isn't grounded, it will likely blow a hole in the hull, or through any other thing in its path, like the crew.
Best regards,
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:H2eEyc7AbPYJ:edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/SG/SG07100.pdf+lightning+grounding+a+sailboat&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESj8u6uv0Wtsl4GyKezwy9Gv-cGvVlkQ_DGDm5EylurTaTud9LLTtP7Mbi2FXV845Yqc5BWIFIDRpXNTMzwaRvQnlNYuCAcNBV6eqBS8X52wjsiMCeICWUE6mx8OtI4mWuwtzqJK&sig=AHIEtbRALbsnzIFURWJfeum_5NMcVrw9nw


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