[TowerTalk] Ground Rod Myths?

[Mike Fahmie via TowerTalk]

I've removed 8' x 5/8" rods from firm earth and found the copper generally intact.  A water hose might be easier, but it can't match the intimate contact that a driven rod attains.  I've been able to use a rod driver (electric) a few times and it makes the task much easier than pounding with a mallet.

I've read several books on grounding (enough to make me dangerous) and they claim that bare wire or strap connecting the rods should be buried 12" to 18" deep to avoid the "inductive effects" of the wire.  I'm not completely in agreement but do believe that the buried wire's reactance would experience significant damping due to the distributed contact with ground, and, yes, the deeper the better.   Note that I said BARE WIRE.
-Mike-
WA6ZTY



>________________________________
> From: Tony <dxdx at optonline.net>
>To: towertalk at contesting.com 
>Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 4:06 PM
>Subject: [TowerTalk] Ground Rod Myths?
> 
>
>All:
>
>I came across a website that claimed it's better to use the hydraulic 
>pressure from water hose to drive ground rods instead of pounding them 
>into the ground. The idea is to prevent damage to the copper clad. I can 
>see how this would make the installation easier, but can't imagine the 
>copper being stripped away that easily.  Any truth to this?
>
>The site also mentioned that the copper strap or wire that joins one 
>ground rod to the next should be buried at least a foot below ground 
>level while another said a few inches is fine. I suspect deeper is better.
>
>Thanks...
>
>Tony
>
>
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