Ham Radio General Class Practice Test

Which of the following is considered good engineering practice for lightning protection grounds?

1. They must be bonded to all buried water and gas lines

2. Bends in ground wires must be made as close as possible to a right angle

3. Lightning grounds must be connected to all ungrounded wiring

4. They must be bonded together with all other grounds

The correct answer is: They must be bonded together with all other grounds

Good engineering practice for lightning protection includes ensuring that all grounding systems are interconnected. This approach helps to maintain equal potential across grounding points, which is crucial during a lightning strike. When lightning hits a structure, it can result in significant differences in voltage between various grounding points. If these grounds are not bonded together, it could create potential differences that can lead to dangerous voltage gradients, resulting in equipment damage or even personal injury due to electrical shock. By bonding all grounds together, including the lightning protection ground and other grounding systems such as those for electrical panels and equipment, you create a unified grounding network. This reduces the likelihood of one ground becoming energized significantly relative to another, thus improving safety and the integrity of the systems involved. The other options, while they may contain elements of good practice, do not encompass the broader principle of interconnecting all aspects of grounding systems effectively. For example, bonding to water and gas lines may not always be safe or feasible depending on local codes and materials used. Bends in ground wires are best avoided or kept gradual rather than ensuring a rigid angle, and connecting lightning grounds directly to ungrounded wiring can lead to unwanted paths for current. Therefore, interbonding all grounds is the primary method emphasized in effective lightning protection practices.