"Lightning rod" (literally "lightning-avoiding needle") is an older term; the national standard of the People's Republic of China, GB50057-2010 *Code for Design Protection of Buildings Against Lightning*, has abandoned this designation in favor of "lightning-intercepting rod." Lightning-intercepting rods-along with lightning-intercepting strips, wires, and meshes, as well as metal roofing or components serving the same function-are collectively classified as "lightning-intercepting devices." These devices, together with down-conductors and grounding systems, constitute the external lightning protection system for a building or structure, serving to prevent or mitigate physical damage and casualties caused by lightning strikes on or near the structure.
The term was changed because the original name was scientifically inaccurate and failed to reflect the device's actual operating principle. When the device first appeared in China, people believed it could prevent buildings from being struck by lightning, hence the name "lightning-avoiding needle." In reality, however, the device protects a building not by preventing a strike, but by intercepting the lightning discharge; it then channels the lightning current into the ground via down-conductors and grounding systems. While some have suggested renaming it a "lightning-attracting rod" for this reason, "lightning-intercepting rod" remains the most accurate and appropriate term.