As a matter of interest to Towertalkians, the new version of EIA/TIA-222
specifies that copper wire SHALL NOT be used for ground wires, ground rods
or ground clamps. All new towers installed under EIA/TIA-222
specifications must use galvanized ground rods, galvanized steel wire (ie
guy wire!) for grounding conductors, and galvanized connectors or
exothermically welded connections. Tinned copper wire may be substituted
for galvanized steel wire when the conductor must be buried. Bare copper
is no longer allowed in any grounding application, either at the tower
base or at the guy anchors.
This change came about as a result of research that demonstrated that
copper ground rods in proximity to tower foundations and steel guy anchors
tended to accelerate the corrosion of the steel members, leading to sudden
catastrophic failure!
73
Frank
W3LPL
donovanf@sgate.com
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