[TowerTalk] Re: New Tower Grounding Spec - what about Aluminum wire?

[Robert Naumann]

Another problem with aluminum wire that I noticed in my former career as an
electrician is that the aluminum wire tends to take a "set" or mold itself
and "flow" around the clamping device such that after a period of time,
it's no longer tight.  

I installed hundreds of circuit breaker panels in homes and many  who think

"they only have copper" may be surprised to know that the standard wire
running 
from your electric meter to you circuit breaker panel is aluminum.  The
wire running 
from the meter to the electric company pole is also aluminum.

I was amazed that when I'd go back to the same house, I'd check the
aluminum feeder connections coming in and invariably they would be loose. 
I had insulated Allen wrenches made for this purpose and would retighten
them.  The amazing part is that when I originally installed them, I used
plenty of "noalox" and made sure that it was tightened as much as I could.

73,
Bob Naumann  N5NJ

----------
> From: ROBERT WANDERER <aa0cy@robertwanderer.gardnerville.nv.us>
> To: 'Chuck Dietz' <ke5fi@wt.net>
> Cc: 'Tower Reflector' <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Subject: RE: [TowerTalk] Re:  New Tower Grounding Spec - what about
Aluminum wire?
> Date: Friday, April 25, 1997 03:37
> 
> 
> 
> ----------
> From:  Chuck Dietz[SMTP:ke5fi@wt.net]
> Sent:  Thursday, April 24, 1997 1:23 PM
> To:  tdxs-list@N5UH.Tech.UH.EDU
> Cc:  towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject:  Re: [TowerTalk] Re:  New Tower Grounding Spec - what about
Aluminum wire?
> 
> I have some really big aluminum wire...Can I use it for a ground wire?
How big is big?
> Insofar as a lightning ground is concerned, you should use nothing
smaller than #2/0.
> 
> Ok with copper rods?  with galvanized rods? Only galvanized. Copper and
aluminum are
> dissimilar enough that you'll get corrosion UNLESS you either exothermic
weld them or
> cover the entire joint in joint compound (either copper or aluminum based
(e.g No-Alox) to
> prevent moisture ingress.
> 
> Chuck, KE5FI
> 73, Bob AA0CY
> --
> FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/towertalkfaq.html
> Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
> Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
> Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com
> 
> 
> 
> --
> FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/towertalkfaq.html
> Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
> Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
> Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com

--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/towertalkfaq.html
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com