Install Lightning Arresters on Building for Ensuring Safety! The primary reason to install lightning arresters on buildings is to protect them from the hazardous impacts of lightning. Lightning arresters or rods intercept this voltage and provide a safe path for the lightning current into the ground. While it does not decrease the likelihood of a building being struck by lightning, it gives a direct trail to the ground, preventing the structure from fire, explosion, and electrical surges resulting from lightning strikes. Lightning preferentially strikes the arrester instead of passing through the structure where it could start a fire or cause electrocution. The arrester conducts the current to the ground through a wire. Lightning rods are also called finials, air terminals, or strike termination devices. The arresters are designed and developed following UL (Underwriter Laboratories) standards. While choosing lightning arresters, these standards must be verified.