Which is the wire located on top of a pole that protects conductors from lightning by providing a low resistance path to ground?

Which is the wire located on top of a pole that protects conductors from lightning by providing a low resistance path to ground?

• A. Plate Order
• B. Rail Return
• C. Third Rail
• D. Static Wire

Answer: (D)

Lightning protection for overhead lines uses a shield wire placed at the very top of the pole to intercept strikes and carry the surge to ground. This static wire is typically bare and well grounded, providing a low-resistance path that diverts lightning away from the energized conductors below. By catching the lightning before it can couple into the live wires, it helps protect equipment, reduce outages, and minimize damage. This is not a power-carrying conductor like the third rail, which supplies traction power, nor is it a return path through the rails for normal operation. Plate order isn’t related to this function in traction systems. The static wire’s job is specifically to shield the live lines by offering a direct ground path when lightning hits.

Lightning protection for overhead lines uses a shield wire placed at the very top of the pole to intercept strikes and carry the surge to ground. This static wire is typically bare and well grounded, providing a low-resistance path that diverts lightning away from the energized conductors below. By catching the lightning before it can couple into the live wires, it helps protect equipment, reduce outages, and minimize damage.

This is not a power-carrying conductor like the third rail, which supplies traction power, nor is it a return path through the rails for normal operation. Plate order isn’t related to this function in traction systems. The static wire’s job is specifically to shield the live lines by offering a direct ground path when lightning hits.