Lightning protection systems

A lightning protection system, comprising:

• a. a weather monitoring system for detecting dangerous atmospheric conditions in a geographic area;
• b. a plurality of regional transmitters for transmitting control signals to at least the geographic area when the weather monitoring system detects dangerous atmospheric conditions in the geographic area;
• c. a plurality of receivers within the geographic area for receiving the control signals and generating switching signals;
• and
• d. at least one interruption device connected to each receiver for interrupting at least one electric circuit in response to the switching signal from the receiver to which it is connected.

An apparatus for protecting electrical and electronic equipment having at least one electrical input for connecting to at least one external electrical conductor, comprising:

• a. a first electrical contact for electrically connecting the apparatus to the external electrical conductor;
• b. a second electrical contact for electrically connecting the apparatus to the electrical input;
• c. a receiver for receiving control signals;
• and
• d. an interruption device having a cylindrical insulative block and at least one electrical conductor therethrough for electrically connecting the first and second electrical contacts and rotating the block substantially 90 degrees in response to the control signals such that the first and second electrical contacts are not electrically connected.

A method for a telecommunications service provider to provide lightning protection services, comprising:

• a. providing lightning protection service subscribers with an electrical circuit connection/disconnection device for receiving control signals and interrupting the electrical connectivity between electrical equipment and at least one external conductor;
• b. monitoring weather in a vicinity of a geographic area;
• c. sending the control signals to electrical circuit connection/disconnection devices of subscribers in the geographic area when dangerous atmospheric conditions are near the geographic area;
• and
• d. charging subscribers for lightning protection services during time periods within which service is provided.

An apparatus for protecting electrical and electronic equipment having at least one electrical input for connecting to at least one external electrical conductor, comprising:

• a. a first electrical contact connected to the external electrical conductor;
• b. a second electrical contact connected to the electrical input;
• c. a receiver for receiving control signals;
• d. a disk with a perimeter having a plurality of insulative tabs that are separated by a plurality of spaces and attached to the perimeter of the disk;
• and
• e. a rotating mechanism for positioning the insulative tabs between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact in response to the control signals.