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Posted

I just so happen to be in the shop so...I attached my Fluke digital VOM to a piece of broken graphite blank...no measurable continuity on the ohm meter.

Held it on a battery (+).... and voltage is 0.000 even one inch from the post.

Shitty conductor as far as I can tell.

Posted

So lightning has a thing for graphite rods?

Why have scientists never picked up on this. I would assume graphite and fiberglass to be a non-conductors of the highest order.

How is it with grass rods I wonder?

I thought lightning just had a thing for the highest point in a big flat area. Golfer on a course, fisherman in a boat, player on a field, etc.

Posted

Didn't say it was a good conductor, lots of other factors to consider during a lightning storm. Atmospheric pressure attributes to conductivity because of unstability. Wood isn't considered a conductor, but how many times have you seen lightning blow the bark off a tree? Also a few more volts involved in a lightning bolt than a battery

Posted

Well....anything grounded I always assumed. A wet tree is just begging for it. I dunno, I have a great understanding of DC circuitry but lightning seems to make its own rules.

Posted

I thought lightning just had a thing for the highest point in a big flat area. Golfer on a course, fisherman in a boat, player on a field, etc.

Seems to be the norm, but lightning will take the easiest path. The electrons are attracted to opposite charges, like opposite poles on a magnet

Posted

Well....anything grounded I always assumed. A wet tree is just begging for it. I dunno, I have a great understanding of DC circuitry but lightning seems to make its own rules.

A graphite rod with a line in the water will be wet as well...
Posted

Didn't say it was a good conductor, lots of other factors to consider during a lightning storm. Atmospheric pressure attributes to conductivity because of unstability. Wood isn't considered a conductor, but how many times have you seen lightning blow the bark off a tree? Also a few more volts involved in a lightning bolt than a battery

Indeed !

Posted

I remember reading an article about a man being struck by lightning in Fla I think. "Experts" thought the bolt traveled thru the braided fishing line.

Posted

Guys just remember when you're on the water you, your boat and what ever else is with you becomes the highest point on the water. Whether your rod is fiberglass, graphite, or plain wood they do not have enough insulation properties when you are dealing with the voltage and amperage generated from a lightning bolt. I've been guilty of staying too long with a storm blowing in and have had some close calls with lightning hitting the shore line trees scarring the crap out of me in the past.. before heading to shelter...

Posted

Guys just remember when you're on the water you, your boat and what ever else is with you becomes the highest point on the water. Whether your rod is fiberglass, graphite, or plain wood they do not have enough insulation properties when you are dealing with the voltage and amperage generated from a lightning bolt. I've been guilty of staying too long with a storm blowing in and have had some close calls with lightning hitting the shore line trees scarring the crap out of me in the past.. before heading to shelter...

Exactly! I've ran to hide under big metal docks, don't think that's a very safe place...

Also need to consider the average bolt is about 4-8 miles long, longest one recorded is over 100 miles long.

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