Radioactive lightning conductors excluded

2003/04/22 Elhuyar Zientzia

• Teknologia
• Klima
• Ingurumena

The lightning rods are protection systems against atmospheric electric shocks. The first was invented by Benjamin Franklin, XVIII. In the twentieth century. It was a mast of about two meters, grounded by a metal cable, in case of discharge the electric force is directed to the ground. In this way, the damage that lightning can cause is avoided.

The current lightning rods are based on what was invented by Franklin, although there have been changes in the improvement of the system. For example, in the years 1960-1970, radioactive lightning conductors were installed in the Spanish state. These lightning conductors carry a radioactive isotope to ionize the air, since this ionization helps to correct the lightning to the lightning conductor. However, radioactive lightning conductors are not better than normal ones and, although they are not harmful with proper use, since 1993 those of this type of ENRESA are being removed.

In Spain, 21,531 radioactive lightning conductors have already been eliminated, but at least 442 remain. In Hego Euskal Herria there are a dozen: four in Gipuzkoa, three in Navarre and Araba and two in Bizkaia.

Photographer: Photographer: Christopher Young.