[TowerTalk] ground strap width: 3" vs 6"...

[Red]

Hi, David and all;

3-5 parallel copper wires spaced 2" or more is as good as copper strap.  
Compare the cost to decide.  Greater separation and more wires will 
further reduce the inductance, which is what you are accomplishing with 
a wide strap instead of a cylindrical wire.  I see no problem running 
under the roof as long as you maintain ample distance from wiring, 
plumbing, or any  other conductor.

73 de WOØW

David Giuliani wrote:

>I am installing ground straps between a garage roof mounted tower (at h=30'
>above ground), and a grounding system consisting of a perimeter loop of #2
>ground wire, multiple ground rods, and several Ufer connections to the rebar
>in the concrete pads surrounding the garage, and a 50' section of copper
>strap buried horizontally at 1-2' below the surface.  Copper strap will be
>used in two places, each side of the garage, to run between the tower base
>and the grounding system, about 50' each run.  We live in a low lightning
>strike region.
>
>My supplier carries only 6" wide 24 gauge copper strap.  Not cheap, of
>course, but it's going to serve me a long time.  I'm wondering about:
>
>- using the 6" as is, or slitting it into 3" sections.  About half the
>inductance, of course, but I'm wondering if it's below the point of
>diminishing protection to go beyond 3".  I've seen 1.5", 3", and 6" strap
>offered for lightning protection.  
>
>- wisdom of placing the strapping inside the attic, and under ~ 6' of
>shingles on the way to the ground, to make it more eyeball friendly for the
>XYL.  Most of the run will be inspectable, e.g. after a lightning strike.  
>
>Opinions?  
>
>David, WA6PXX, Mercer Island, WA
>  
>
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