[TowerTalk] Copper strap bonding ideas?

[Jim Lux]

On 1/10/12 5:41 PM, Jim Miller wrote:
> My electrical service comes in to two peered breaker panels from the meter
> box outside. The connection from each panel neutral to the Ufer ground ~4ft
> directly below is via a #4 or #6 (haven't measured) copper wire which is
> anything but straight.  I have no idea why the installer did what they did.

Because there's no particular reason why the installer should make it 
straight. The code just requires something like "reasonably direct", and 
that is more than sufficient for the purpose.  It's not an RF ground 
where inductance or AC resistance (skin effect) makes a difference.


> I've got some 2" strap I'd like to add to each box in parallel with each of
> the existing bonds.

Why?  You're presumably not using that as part of your antenna system, 
which is the only place that strap actually makes any difference (strap 
has almost the same inductance as a wire of same cross section.. it has 
a lot LESS AC resistance and loss, so as a grounding connector for, say, 
the bottom of a 160m vertical, it makes a difference).

For lightning protection, it's inductance that's important, and short 
and mechanically strong is what you're concerned with.

  Are there any products or best known methods for
> connecting such strap to the interior of the breaker box? Similarly are
> there products designed to allow a clamping attachment of strap to a 1/2"
> rebar Ufer.
>
> I don't want to mess with the existing connections just add the strap. If
> there is no easy/obvious means to introduce the strap to the interior of
> the breaker box would making a compression bond to the exterior of the box
> be useful?

Spend your time and effort on other areas.

>
> Jim ab3cv
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