[TowerTalk] Ground Rod Replacement

[Roger (K8RI) on TT]

Often, the answers to a question raises many more questions.

Corrosion Vs area:

To begin, a 5/8ths rod corroding down to a half inch goes through a 
cycle in area with the area of the irregular surface becoming quite a 
bit more than the 5/8ths inch (0.625")  diameter rod with a smooth 
surface. Depending on the extent and depth of the corrosion, I'd expect 
a substantial increase in the contact area. Once the peak is reached, 
the area would diminish rapidly. Because of the irregularity in 
corrosion, I have no idea as to what the peak area would be.  An 8' rod 
would be 96 inches long, a 5/8ths in rod has a circumference of 1.96 inches
1.96 X 96 or an area of 188 sq inches divided by 144 (sq inches in a sq 
ft ) = 1.3 sq ft. Even if the area doubled it's only about 2.6 sq ft for 
a little while.

If the rods corrode that badly, that fast, I would think the soil needs 
to be treated, or sacrificial rods installed.

With the low PH of our soil, the rods look reasonably good after 5 to 10 
years. Perhaps there is some electrolysis going on to cause the rapid 
corrosion?  With steel guys, install an insulator reasonably close to 
anchor points? As the ground rods are bonded to the tower that raises 
another question.  Is there a current flowing through the ground rod?  
Can a voltage be measured from the tower to 10 or 15 feet out into the 
yard (or surrounding soil) at different times of the year ?   With 
various equipment powered up?

Just thinking out loud for possible reasons for the advanced corrosion 
in addition to the soil conditions.
Here, even ground rods near the edge of the drain field do not show that 
kind of advanced corrosion.

When I had the repeater in the garage, There was enough voltage, that 
rubbing a 6" screwdriver on the EHS would over ride the received signal.

73

Roger  (K8RI)


On 8/16/2015 1:49 PM, Bill Aycock wrote:
> Jim--
> Lighten up; in this case, the new question, and any answer, should 
> contribute to clarification. (I think)
> With what I have heard about "Salt Doping" and similar means of 
> enhancement, I see only a strong probability  of ambiguity here, as it 
> is now.
> Bill--W4BSG
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Jim Chaggaris
> Sent: Saturday, August 15, 2015 10:54 PM
> To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Ground Rod Replacement
>
> Please don't answer a question with a question.   It's counter 
> productive..
>
> 73,
> Jim N9WW
>
> Jim Chaggaris
> President
> PowerOne Corp./PowerOne Environmental
> 2325 Dean St. Suite 200
> St. Charles, IL 60175
> Phn: 630.443.6500
> Cell: 630.669.2241
> Fax: 630.443.6505
> Website: www.pwrone.com
>
> Sent from my iPad Air
>
>
>
>
>> On Aug 15, 2015, at 8:08 PM, <john at kk9a.com> <john at kk9a.com> wrote:
>>
>> Does corrosion make them not effective?
>>
>> John KK9A
>>
>>
>> To:    towertalk at contesting.com
>> Subject:    [TowerTalk] Ground Rod Replacement
>> From:    Tony <dxdx at optonline.net>
>> Date:    Sat, 15 Aug 2015 19:22:51 -0400
>>
>> All:
>>
>> I've read the service life of copper-clad ground rods can last as 
>> much as 40
>> years depending on the type of soil they're in.
>>
>> Be that as it may, I found some corrosion on 4 copper-clad ground 
>> rods that
>> are bonded to the tower and they've only been in the ground for 15 
>> years.
>> The corrosion is light at a foot below grade, but I suspect it could be
>> worse down the length of the rod.
>>
>> Replacing the rods isn't costly and it's worth knowing the grounds 
>> are in
>> good shape. The question is what to do with the existing rods?
>>
>> Is there any benefit in placing the new rods near the old and bonding 
>> them
>> even though the spacing is close?
>>
>> Tony
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
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-- 

73

Roger (K8RI)


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