SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ham-lightning-ground-bends

How should bends be handled in lightning grounding conductors?

Avoid sharp bends in the conductor.

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  1. Use precise right-angle bends
  2. Avoid sharp bends ✔
  3. Avoid common grounds

Why: Lightning current changes extremely quickly. Sharp bends add impedance and can encourage the current to take another path, so grounding conductors should curve gently.

Huh, didn't know that: A short path and gentle bends work together in lightning grounding.

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The ground conductor avoided sharp turns because it preferred a smooth route.
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References

Answer: Avoid sharp bends. Lightning current changes extremely quickly. Sharp bends add impedance and can encourage the current to take another path, so grounding conductors should curve gently.

  1. NCVEC 2026-2030 Technician Question Pool www.ncvec.org/downloads/2026-2030%20Technician%20Pool%20and%20Syllabus%20Public%20Release%20Feb%2019%202026.pdf
    C. Sharp bends must be avoided
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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