TopBand: Bonding radials

[Bill Tippett]

>From: Eric Gustafson <n7cl@sparx.mmsi.com>
>Subject: Re: TopBand: Bonding radials

>>From: AA6WG@directnet.com
>>Date: Tue, 11 Feb 1997 22:46:06 -0800
>>
>>Has anyone used the "exothermic" process to bond their radial system
>>together?  It is prefered over the usual soldered bond because solder will
>>melt with the first lightning strike. Is there anyone who is familar with
>>the process and can describe the tools and materials that are used. Also
>>does anyone know of a good supplier or 2 who sells the tools and
>>materials?
>>
>>Thanks, 
>>Joe AA6WG
>>
>
>
>The reason is _not_ that a soldered connection will melt due to heat
>generated during a stroke.  It because the welded connections are the only
>ones that can survive reliably underground for long periods due to
>dissimilar metal reactions.  Above ground, clamped or soldered connections
>are fine as long as the connection is a good one.  Not much heat is really
>involved unless the connection has deteriorated so that there is a high
>connection resistance.
>
>Actually, there is now a pressure bonding system (made by Burndy) that is
>claimed to be as good as the welded connections.  But I have no experience
>with these yet.  The crimping tool for it costs about 2500 bux.
>
>It sounds like you really do want to do this correctly.  Here is the
>address for a source for the exothermic process materials.  Contact them
>for process info and local distribution sources.  If you design your system
>to make use of one size conductor (that needs welding due to being below
>grade) and one class of connection, you should be able to get away for a
>bit over $5 per weld.
>
>ERICO Products Inc.  (Lightning Grounding Hardware & Welding Eqpt)
>34600 Solon Road
>Cleveland (Solon) Ohio 44139
>(800)-248-9353
>(216)-248-0100
>      248-0723
>
> Barbara Gaskins
> Sales Correspondent
> Cadweld Electrical Div.
>
> Samuel B Barnes
> Regional Manager
> P.O. Box 3225
> Newport Beach, CA  92663
>
>It has been a while since I contacted these people.  So the names may have
>changed.  Good luck.  If you liked fireworks as a kid, you'll love this
>stuff.
>
>73, Eric  N7CL
>
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