Ground Connections 335 



rod in the basement in addition to the main 

 ground connection. 



As the charge is to be dissipated in the earth, 

 it will be necessary to expose a considerable 

 area of metal mider ground. If a spring is 

 near, the rod should be run to the vicinity 

 of the spring and there soldered to the ground 

 plate, which should be below the level of the 

 surface of the spring. Moist soil is the only 

 kind which will conduct electricity, hence the 

 insistence on a moist place for the terminal of 

 the rod. In case the plate must be planted 

 some distance from water, either it must go 

 quite deep or it may be placed in a barrel of 

 charcoal or coke buried under the surface. 

 These materials will hold whatever water they 

 receive, and it is a simple matter to wet the 

 soil above such a terminal from time to time. 

 The plate itself should be of copper and of an 

 area of at least 25 square feet, including both 

 sides. An old copper boiler, flattened out, makes 

 a cheap and effective ground plate. 



There is no doubt that many buildings have 

 been saved from destruction by means of prop- 

 erly installed lightning rods, and it is plain 

 that they are not difficult nor expensive to 

 install. 



