In a message dated 4/2/2007 3:29:35 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
towertalk-request@contesting.com writes:
> I'm starting to ground my tower now that thunderstorm season is
coming soon. I wanted to have a good electrical and mechanical
connection to the ground rods, but also keep the tripping hazard to a
minimum. I installed the ground rods below the surface, and used
standard ground rod clamps to hold the wire. Before covering with
dirt, I used plumbing silver solder to cover the connections to
prevent them from getting dirty and thus more resistive.
> I'm fairly certain the silver solder will maintain over several years
without maintenance, has anyone had problems using this approach?
The problem is that solder will melt if you ever take a hit or transient
big enough to make it heat up. I understand that you're using it to sort of
coat the connection but since it's underground and you'll never see it, it
can melt and you'll never know it.
The only approved grounding connections are mechanical and exothermic
(e.g. CadWeld).
Cheers,
Steve K7LXC
TOWER TECH
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