[TowerTalk] Power ground

[Wilson Lui]

Here's a little clarification for the different types of connections. IEEE
Std. 80 recognizes the following maximum limits for the different types of
connections. These limits are measured in Celsius (C), if exceeded, the
connections may fail. 

Copper Wire (no connector) - 1083 (C)
Exothermic - 1083 (C)
Silver Solder - 450 (C)
Compression Fitting - 350 (C)
Screw Type - 250 (C)
Solder (50/50) - 220 (C)
Wires Twisted Together - 100 (C)


Wilson Lui
ATI Tectoniks
wilsonlui at atitec.com


Please visit our website at http://www.atitec.com for more information.

-----Original Message-----
From: Tower (K8RI) [mailto:tower at rogerhalstead.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2004 10:57 AM
To: K7LXC at aol.com; wilsonlui at atitec.com; davidw at copper.net;
TowerTalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Power ground

I've been following this for a while and keep seeing reference to "brazed"
water pipes.
I've never seen a brazed joint in water pipes. Soldered, but never brazed.

The temperature for brazing is much higher than soldering and would be
enough to show some serious oxidation on the copper.  Brazing would require
the copper to be at a "cherry red" heat to get the stuff to melt.  In most
homes the amount of heat required would cause charring on any wood near the
joint.

It may not be permitted, but I'd trust a good brazed joint any day over a
compression fitting that can corrode.  I've had compression fittings
completely lose contact with ground rods.


Roger Halstead (K8RI, EN73 & ARRL Life Member)
N833R, World's Oldest Debonair (S# CD-2)
www.rogerhalstead.com


> In a message dated 5/26/04 10:17:54 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
> wilsonlui at atitec.com writes:
>
> > However using
> >  brazed water pipes is not recommended. The brazed connections represent
a
> >  seriously weak electrical joint and may fail prematurely under thermal
> >  stress of high currents.
>
>     Yessireebob. The only NEC ground connections allowed are compression
and
> exothermic (i.e. Cadweld).
>
> Cheers,
> Steve     K7LXC
> TOWER TECH -
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