[Suudy]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

But at least in the basement of a bldg., the ground currents problem would be the same as out in a field. If you can get off the ground floor, or into a vehicle with insulating tires (rubber), then you're safe from the ground currents from a nearby strike.

I agree with this. But getting off the ground floor protects you because when you go up a level, you are now protected by a fully enclosed cage (i.e. there is wiring and plumbing below, in the ceiling of the room below). But I am suggesting that the field with a ring of high towers may not provide the same protection as a Faraday cage.

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

But with a ring of metal masts all pointing in the same direction, the potentials at the time of a strike on any of those masts will be such as to carry ground currents away from the ring, not thru the ring. The middle of that ring is the safest place to be.

Your assumption is that all the masts are connected electrically to form this ring. And that the connections are large enough to support the current of the lightning strike. If either of these are not true, then there is potential for the currents to flow from one mast to another, possibly through the center of the ring.

But, like I said, it is _highly_ improbable. But not high enough for me.

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

Could it be better with wires overhead? Sure, then you'd really be in a cage. But most bldgs. don't really provide a Faraday cage. Fortunately for DC, it doesn't matter.

It doesn't matter if it is AC or DC. Electricity _always_ flows from high potential to low potential along electric field lines. In a Faraday cage, there is no electric field, thus no flow of electricity.

But I would argue that a building does come close to approximating a Faraday cage. There is wiring and plumbing in the ceiling. Thus each room (except possiblethe ground floor) are close approximations of Faraday cages.

But even in the ring case I'm not sure that the current would always flow away from the ring, unless the rings were connected electrically and there were connections below the playing field.

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

If you could see the height and spacing of those towers compared to the size of the field they surrounded, you'd agree.

I don't know. Like I said, I agree in principle, but the reality of the situation is different. And besides, even if it was safe on the field, would it be safe for those near the towers? Such as the stands? Or the parking lot? There would have to be a pretty wide berth around those towers' bases to ensure safety.