Which device is used alongside a lightning rod for enhanced protection?

A lightning rod is designed to provide a direct path for lightning to reach the ground safely, thereby protecting buildings and structures from lightning strikes. However, it primarily addresses the immediate physical effects of a lightning strike. To further enhance protection, a lightning arrestor is used.

A lightning arrestor works by clamping onto the electrical system and diverting excess voltage, which can occur during a lightning strike. This helps to prevent equipment damage and electrical surges that could result from the high voltage associated with a lightning strike. Therefore, the combination of a lightning rod and a lightning arrestor provides both a physical diversion of the lightning strike itself and a safeguard against the potentially damaging electrical surges that follow.

While other devices mentioned, such as a surge protector and grounding electrode, also play vital roles in electrical safety, they serve different primary functions and are not specifically designed to work alongside lightning rods for enhanced protection against lightning strikes. A surge protector primarily protects electrical equipment from voltage spikes in general, while a grounding electrode connects the electrical system to the ground but does not directly handle lightning protection.