[TowerTalk] wire size/type for bonding ground rods

[Michael E Fox (N6MEF)]

Hi Jim,

Good question.  I should have been more clear.

This will be for bonding several ground rods together and to the main
electrical ground.

The tower is bonded to the tower ground rods with copper strap.  My station
ground is bonded to a different ground rod right outside with copper strap.
But I need to connect the rods together and to the house safety ground.  I
know strap is best, but it's going to be hard to run.  So I'm wondering if
#4 bare copper wire is sufficient and o.k. to direct bury.

Michael

-----Original Message-----
From: jimlux [mailto:jimlux at earthlink.net] 
Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2008 12:44 PM
To: Michael Fox
Cc: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] wire size/type for bonding ground rods

Michael Fox wrote:
> What is the appropriate wire size and type for bonding together several
> ground rods?
> 
>  
> 
> I'd prefer something I can direct bury.
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Michael - N6MEF


Bonding for NEC, for lightning protection (NFPA 780) or for RF? The 
rules (for the first 2) are different (there are no rules for the last)

Ground electrodes being used for what? (What's ok for "earthing" a 
communications system is different than what's ok for "earthing" a AC 
entrance panel).

In general, it's going to be fairly large (AWG6-ish) copper, which can 
be directly buried.