[TowerTalk] Ground Rod Myths?

[Jim Lux]

On 4/24/14, 9:21 PM, Brian Amos wrote:
> Thanks for the advice.  I think my best course will be to test the
> soil conductivity.  The only time we have lightening here is during
> the summer storms; the soil is usually damp from the sprinklers all
> summer so it's probably better with no concrete.  Does anyone know the
> conductivity of concrete offhand? I guess I could always ask google,
> although it probably depends on the aggregate.  Local aggregate has a
> pretty high iron content and I expect would conduct fairly well,
> unless the paste is a good insulator.
>

concrete is generally higher conductivity than soil:
1) it's hygroscopic so it has higher moisture content
2) it doesn't have voids like soil does (between the grains)


Figure 10-50 mS/meter  (viz 5 mS/m for "average soil" and 20 mS/m for 
"good soil")