Attaching clothesline to house - lightning hazard? Ground it?

[snorky18]

I'd really like a clothes line.

I'd really like to attach one end to our house, and the other end to a tree in the back yard. (In fact, due to the topography and wooded nature of our lot, this is about the only place we can put it.)

I'd really like to avoid increasing the likelihood of our house being struck by lightning though.

I'm thinking metal pulleys on each end, vinyl / pvc coated metal cable. One way length will be 25'-75'. Height off the ground will be 15' to 25'.

1. How much of a risk is lightning in this case?
2. Would it need to be grounded?
3. If so how?

 

[p_mori7]

I wouldn't even worry about it.

 

[Elginz]

I wouldn't even worry about it.

times 2

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Ok I was ready to say BS spammer if the OP only had 1 post....

What kind of siding do u have? Metal wood pvc?

I wouldnt worry about it!

 

[DC73]

You could attach a standoff insulator to the house and then go from there. Something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BGC13W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

DC

 

[marinusdees]

I have a setup like you want to build. Years ago, lightning struck the fir tree it was attached to. It followed the wire into the attic and the only damage I could ascertain was the distribution amplifier for the TV signal was fried. The neighbor cut the fir tree and now it is attached to a 20' stick of steel 2" x 3" box tubing. I think the steel post is as effective a ground as can be. Many years ago, I built a crystal radio set. For an antenna, I ran 100' of copper wire (stranded) from the peak of the house to an elm tree. Allied Radio, who sold the wire, sold a lightning arrester which consisted of a porcelain block which provided about a half inch air gap from the antenna to a wire connected to a ground rod. To my knowledge, it never took a strike. IMHO lightning will strike where it will, and if it targets you, you'll get it. I grew up in midwestern lightning country.

 

[marinusdees]

Keep in mind that lightning does not need to strike directly to cause damage. Lightning can and will, on occasion, induce voltage in a a long straight wire, In the end, I'd say, don't worry about it. Worrying won't do any good and there's little you can do to avoid the risk. You will not increase the risk by stretching the wire.

 

[DenisG]

You're more likely to get damage through your power, phone or cable lines. That being said, you could run a ground wire from the eye bolt holding the pulley to a ground rod sunk near the base of the tree, if you're really worried. Page 5 of this document shows the relative risks:
http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_lhm/IEEE_Guide.pdf

 

[KenB]

Use clothes line rope, not wire.

Ken

 

[CNGsaves]

You could attach a standoff insulator to the house and then go from there. Something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BGC13W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

DC

+1 . . . . . BUT . . . upgrade your idea a bit . . .
. . . . AND . . . . use
. . . . . . . . Mickey Mouse insulators instead !!!

 

[checkthisout]

Watch for an impending strike and then drive a Delorean at 80 MPH right at the clothesline as soon as the bolt hits.

Should make for a fun night.

 

[marinusdees]

As I posted before, I have vinyl covered wire like he wants to use. I'd use it again. Keep in mind a direct ground, e.g., one with no air gap is a "lightning rod" (attractor) for lightning. Don't supply a direct ground if you want to minimize the risk.

 

[DenisG]

As I posted before, I have vinyl covered wire like he wants to use. I'd use it again. Keep in mind a direct ground, e.g., one with no air gap is a "lightning rod" (attractor) for lightning. Don't supply a direct ground if you want to minimize the risk.

http://stormhighway.com/lightning_rods_attract_lightning_myth.php

 

[James-W]

Use clothes line rope, not wire.

Ken

I agree, using rope instead of wire makes good sense to me.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

I agree, using rope instead of wire makes good sense to me.

 

[6768rogues]

Put up the clothesline and buy a lottery ticket. If you're lucky, the good remote possibility will be the one that happens.

 

[bloomingtonmike]

Retractable clothesline. Take clothes down and retract line before storm.

 

[Alan Douglas]

Should be no more of a hazard that an aluminum gutter, say.

You could isolate the line from the tree with a short length of polypropylene rope at the far end.

 

[Bielio]

Watch for an impending strike and then drive a Delorean at 80 MPH right at the clothesline as soon as the bolt hits.

Should make for a fun night.

indeed

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Use clothes line rope, not wire.

Ken

 

[gregtwojeeps]

Height off the ground will be 15' to 25'.


Must have some tall people in his family.

 

[TheEquineFencer]

Height off the ground will be 15' to 25'.


Must have some tall people in his family.

It's so the guys wife's drawers don't drag on the ground...