Rods and Lightning protection for homes don’t attract lightning, nor do they influence where lightning will strike. Rods or Lightning protection for homes do not and cannot prevent lightning, nor can they ‘discharge’ thunderstorms. … Lightning protection for homes do not always prevent damage to electronics or computers.
A common Surge & Lightning protection will stop voltage spikes and surges, but not the violent, catastrophic burst of current from a close lightning strike. Direct lightning current is simply too big to protect with a little electronic device inside a power strip, or even a hefty UPS unit.
There is no good reason why Lightning protection for homes (and the associated assembly consisting of a connection to earth and a ground rod) are not routinely added to houses. … However, most high buildings and other structures do have some kind of lightning protection system incorporated into them.
Statistically, lightning is the most commonly experienced weather hazard. If you live in a very tall home, have trees taller than your home less than 10 feet away from its structure, or live in an area with a high lightning strikes, however, installing a lightning rod is recommended.
Is Whole House Surge Protection Worth It? Absolutely. Due to the inability of plug-in surge protectors to protect the entire home, we highly recommend investing in whole–home surge protection to protect your appliances and electronics.
Although lightning protection is not a legal requirement for all buildings and structures, the requirements of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (ref 7) will apply to most businesses. … All newly installed electrical mains systems require surge protection for indirect lightning strikes.