Basically a conductor to disperse harmful charge from a lightning strike away from a building or structure, by providing a low resistance path to the ground. It must carry the huge amount of electrical current discharged by a lightning strike. Rods are made from highly conductive metals mostly a steel electro- copper plates as poor conductivity could result in sparking between metallic elements within structures as the charge tries to make its way to earth, which results in the risk of fire and the ultimate risk of loss of human life. The rod should be the highest point of the building and although it doesn’t attract lightning it is the most likely point of a strike.
