Project: Creating and installing a lightning arrestor.

TOPIC AREA: MOTION IN FIELDS

Unit 10: Effects of electric and potential fields Class: S4 Duration: 3 weeks

Term: III The project should start immediately

after teaching Unit 10.

Project title: Creating and installing a lightning arrestor.

Objective(s):

By the end of the project the learner should be able to:

● Describe the functioning of lightning arrestors.

● Analyze the Physics principle(s) behind the operation of the Lightning arrestor.
● Analyze the rationale for having a lightning arrestor at buildings/structures.
● Create and install a lightning arrestor.

Competencies and skills: The learner should be able to demonstrate the following skills and
competencies:

● Research.
● Collaboration.
● Communication.
● Critical thinking.
● Time management.
● Creativity.
● Installation of lightning arrestor.

Problems to be solved / challenge students will be solving

Among the growing challenge of lightning incidents causing substantial property damage and, tragically, loss of life
in specific regions of our country Rwanda, as an S4 student equipped with insights gained from studying the Effects
of Electric and Potential Fields, you are entrusted with the task of designing a lightning arrestor. The critical
nature of this issue propels you to utilize acquired knowledge and skills to create an effective lightning protection
system using locally available materials. By undertaking this endeavor, you will contribute a meaningful solution
that directly addresses the challenges faced by communities struggling with the devastating consequences of
lightning, working towards a safer and more secure environment for all.

Introduction

Lightning is caused by the movement of a large current from a region of high voltage
to a region of low voltage. Lightning finds the path of least resistance to reach the
ground. House, Telecommunications towers and electrical grids provide a path for
lightning to travel, but the high voltage of the lightning can damage the components
of the system.

Adding a lightning arrester to the system redirects the charges in the lightning to the
ground. One terminal of the arrester is connected to the device and the other terminal
is connected to a rod or wire of low resistance that is buried in the ground.

Between the two terminals is a gap of either air or a material of high resistance. This
material prevents the normal signals from the telecommunication device from being
redirected to the ground.

As a result, many homes feature a lightning arrester to help avoid this unpleasant scenario. But what’s the
purpose of this element?

Lightning arresters are devices installed to shield power lines, homes, and structures from dangerous
power surges. As the name suggests, they’re primarily designed to safeguard against damage caused by
lightning strikes. However, they can also protect the structure from various other sources.

Materials

- Copper wire: 40 m Lightning Metal rod / Antenna :1 m

- Lightning ground Copper rod: 1 m Salt: 1 kg
- Charcoal: 5 kg Ammeter :1
- Dry cells 1.5 V: 4 Voltmeter:1