[TowerTalk] Fwd: grounding (again)

[jimlux]

On 4/23/18 1:00 PM, Jeff DePolo wrote:
>> 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.

Bend it enough, the copper will work harden - but from a practical 
standpoint - use what's cheapest and/or easiest to work with.

The conductivity difference is irrelevant (you're not worried about a 
1-2% change)

And I'd use stranded, rather than solid - it's SO much easier to work with.




> 
>> 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?

They'd both be very, very long for lightning - if above ground - if 
underground, they'd be essentially the same in terms of providing a 
"path to earth".


> 
> 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