<P> A lightning rod (US, AUS) or lightning conductor (UK) is a metal rod mounted on a structure and intended to protect the structure from a lightning strike . If lightning hits the structure, it will preferentially strike the rod and be conducted to ground through a wire, instead of passing through the structure, where it could start a fire or cause electrocution . Lightning rods are also called finials, air terminals or strike termination devices . </P> <P> In a lightning protection system, a lightning rod is a single component of the system . The lightning rod requires a connection to earth to perform its protective function . Lightning rods come in many different forms, including hollow, solid, pointed, rounded, flat strips or even bristle brush - like . The main attribute common to all lightning rods is that they are all made of conductive materials, such as copper and aluminum . Copper and its alloys are the most common materials used in lightning protection . </P>

How does a lightning conductor protect a tall building
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