Does an Iron Railing for a Balcony Need to Be Electrically Grounded?

Grounding the Railing

• Iron balcony railings can provide a picturesque look to your home; and while they are made from conductive metal, you should not worry about lightning. Grounding the railing itself is an unnecessary project. Lightning forms because of an ionic connection between the clouds and an object below. Metal can attract lightning because it is more conductive, but there is an even more important factor: height. Your roof or trees will typically be struck by lightning first, not your protected, lower balcony area.

Issues

• Other factors keep electrical current from becoming an issue with iron balcony railings. For example, grounding protects circuits against damage, but the railing is not connected to any circuits or wiring inside your house. This does not mean that a lightning strike will be harmless, but the common dangers from lightning do not always apply to a simple section of iron railing placed in concrete.

Lightning Storms

• While you may not need to worry about grounding your railing, if you live in a climate that frequently experiences lightning storms, act sensibly. Stay off of the balcony when there is the chance of a lightning strike and take any tall or metal objects on your balcony indoors to keep them safe. This is especially important for uncovered balconies that extend from the house into the open air, a more attractive scenario for lightning.

Lightning Rods

• A lightning rod is installed on your roof and keeps your home safe by channeling any lightning charge down the house and into the ground instead of into the roof or wiring of the house. A lightning rod can be installed on balconies or run past balconies as well for added protection, but it should always be grounded in the earth to work correctly. Follow the manufacturer's installation instructions carefully when mounting the rod.