Lightning Strikes an Aerial

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 27, 16 January 1931, Page 5

Lightning Strikes an Aerial

‘V RY few instances of lightning striking an aerial are on record, but such an occurrence took place in Melbourne recently during a heavy storm. A house was being wired for electricity, and it was necessary for the electrician to hold the wireless aerial out of his way while certain alterations were being effected. He had actual contact with the aerial for some fifteen minutes, and had released it a matter of seconds only when a tremendous lightning flash struck it directly. There was an ear-splitting detonation, a blinding blue flash, and a deluge of rain. Investigation showed that more than six feet of the heavy wire of the aerial had been burnt, leaving the electrician still standing almost in contact with what remained! The efficiency of the lightning arrester was proved when the radio receiver was examined later, It was switched on and immediately brought in one of the local programmes.