Observations upon lightning, and the method of securing buildings from its effects. In a letter to Sir Charles Frederick, &c. &c. &c / by B. Wilson ... and others.

  • Benjamin Wilson
Date:
1773
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations upon lightning, and the method of securing buildings from its effects. In a letter to Sir Charles Frederick, &c. &c. &c / by B. Wilson ... and others. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    70/88 (page 56)
    [ 55 ] 12. And whether there are not feveral other In- Hances in America, w^hich are well known ta many, where the lightning has been found to damage the pointed Condudlors, or the build¬ ings they were affixed to, or both, at the fame time ? . I Shall fum up the whole of this fubjeftvvith a few general obJervatio?ts on the method of fecuring build¬ ings from the effefls of lightning. 1. Buildings made of Fir entirely, having no metal for the faftnings,' ornaments, or conveniencies, are the leaft liable to be attacked by lightning. 2. Buildings that have more or lefs metal in their conftrudlion, &c. or in which the metal is more or lefs connedted together, are more or iefs liable to be attacked. The metal, together with the difpofition of it in the buildings, being the inducement for the lightning to enter; and the obftrudlion made to its paffage by the other neighbouring materials being generally the caufe of its dangerous effedls, in tearing and dafliing them to pieces. 3. It has therefore been found neceffary, to connedt thofe metals, by others, from the top of the building to the bottom, and to moift ground below it, 4. But as it may be difficult, in many cafes, to make fuch a connedlion properly, bars of iron, or leaden fpouts, extending from the top of the building to the moifl ground, may be fixed with more eafe, and perhaps with lefs expence. How¬ ever, fuch Condudlors will have an advantage over