[TowerTalk] Fwd: grounding (again)

[Jeff DePolo]

> Since #2 AWG Solid Bare Copper seems to be the favorite 
> choice for grounding, can someone please answer these questions:
> 
> 1) For grounding purposes, does it matter if you use 
> soft-drawn solid copper 2 AWG vs. hard-drawn solid copper 2 AWG?

Soft/annealed copper (I don't think "soft-drawn" is a correct term) is
preferred as it's more flexible and has slightly better conductivity.
Hard-drawn has a higher tensile strength making it useful for overhead power
and the like where it's under tension, but that's typically not a factor for
grounding.

> 2) Does it matter if the copper is solid/tinned vs. plain 
> bare solid copper?

The main reason you see tinned #2 copper being used is that the rain run-off
from bare copper is bad for galvanized steel.  For example, if you have a
ground wire bonded to a tower, ice bridge post, or some other galvanized
steel object, whether attached mechanically or cadwelded, you should use
tinned to prevent the run-off from attacking the galv.  

When buried, tinned can help prevent corrosion of copper for certain soil
pH's, at least for a little while...

> For (lightning) grounding runs of 100' or more, is the 
> difference between 2 AWG solid bare copper and 4 AWG solid 
> bare copper that significant?

A 100' long grounding conductor run would be a pretty ineffective ground
unless it's buried and/or you're planning to install a bunch of ground rods
along that length :-)  Please explain the layout.

				--- Jeff WN3A



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