[TowerTalk] Ground strap to water pipe?

[Bob Nielsen]

On Sun, 2005-05-08 at 20:23 -0400, Roger K8RI on Tower wrote:
> Is this "water pipe" connected to a well or city water?
> We have city water and it's all plastic from the inlet valve out and 3/4". 
> A one inch service feed was almost twice as much, but to install and monthly 
> charge.  Still, any metal in the water system has to be tied into our house 
> electrical ground.
> 
> 
> > Wisdom, please:  I want to run 1.5 inch copper strap from my SPG
> > bulkhead to my AC ground point, which is my water service entrance,
> > following the "bond the grounds together" principle.
> >
> > Question is what is the best way to transition from the copper strap
> > to the water pipe, which is maybe 1.5 or 2 inches in diameter? (Don't
> > know for sure because it's really hard to access in my crawlspace.)
> >
> 
> Normally, I'd use something other than my water system for a system ground. 
> Actually, almost any thing other than the water system. In the case of a 
> deep well, it might make a good ground but a strike to the system could 
> require replacing the pump. It's not an uncommon ocurrence around here in 
> Michigan.
> 
> Typically the grounds should be at the tower and where the system comes into 
> the house at the bulkhead plate.  Often the layout makes what I'd call a 
> single point ground almost impossible, but all grounds should be tied 
> together.
> 

He said the AC ground point was at the water pipe.  I believe that
connecting the water system to the electrical service ground (which must
have its own ground) is a code requirement just about anywhere there is
metallic pipe.  

In my case (I have a well), there is a service ground rod which is
connected to both the circuit breaker box and to the nearest copper
water pipe with a solid copper lead.  Since this ground point isn't
anywhere near my antenna, I have a ground rod next to the base of the
mast which I have also connected to the water system.

> I'm guessing that with a 7 call (which doesn't mean much about location any 
> more) that you may not have really good grounding conditions.

There is a wide range of ground conditions here in 7-land (WA isn't the
same as AZ, by a long shot--I've lived in both).

Besides, he has a "6" call (QRZ says he is in CT).

Bob Nielsen, N7XY
Bainbridge Island, WA


> Roger Halstead (K8RI and ARRL 40 year Life Member)
> N833R - World's oldest Debonair CD-2
> www.rogerhalstead.com
> 
> > I don't find any commercial products for this scenario.  I could rig
> > something with U bolts or radiator clamps, but what is the group think
> > here?  Is there a problem with copper to steel contacts?  Do we
> > believe in special ointments like "kopper shield"? Etc.
> >
> > Thanks for your attention.
> >
> > 73 Martin AA6E
> > -- 
> > martin.ewing at gmail.com
> > http://blog.aa6e.net
> > _______________________________________________
> >
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> > any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
> >
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> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> 
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
> 
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