Correct way to install an earth rod.

[Millboy]

Hello people. This week I've got to install a rod at a property where the gas is being used as the main earth. I've installed them before for temporary generators etc but never done a permanent one. I'd be grateful if someone with more experience could help.

The house is surrounded by concrete, so I'm thinking drill through that close to the house, bash the rod down, and screw an adaptable box to the floor with the connection inside all labelled up. Then 16mm clipped a short way and through into where the board is.

Thanks guys.

Ps its an overhead supply.

 

[trev]

Come away from the house at least a metre and sink your plastic pit, take some (ie more than 1) coupleable 5/8 rods and start driving them down get 2 in then test your Ra, if its high go get another 1 from the wholesalers and start driving again. Repeat as necessary till you get a nice low reading

 

[trev]

Ps the "Acceptable" reading of 200 ohms really isn't. With a bit of time and effort you can get to TN levels

Edit:spelling

 

[RogertheBodger]

Hello people. This week I've got to install a rod at a property where the gas is being used as the main earth. I've installed them before for temporary generators etc but never done a permanent one. I'd be grateful if someone with more experience could help.

The house is surrounded by concrete, so I'm thinking drill through that close to the house, bash the rod down, and screw an adaptable box to the floor with the connection inside all labelled up. Then 16mm clipped a short way and through into where the board is.

Thanks guys.

Ps its an overhead supply.

and wait for a call from E54

 

[GLENNSPARK]

away from foundations.......and.. `depth is key with TT`......go for depth with rods....get your Ra down that way...

 

[Millboy]

Thanks lads. I'll take the single thin rod I picked up back to the wholesalers then!

 

[trev]

You may as well mateor you could use it as a barbeque skewer because that's all those twigs are good for

 

[Octopus]

you'll need 5/8 rods and connectors - take 3 sets minimum. If the reading is still high it could be because the ground is so dry, so take a watering can too (or use your own)!!

 

[GLENNSPARK]

you'll need 5/8 rods and connectors - take 3 sets minimum. If the reading is still high it could be because the ground is so dry, so take a watering can too (or use your own)!!

but surely....Ra readings should be taken in the worst condition scenario....as in dry.....

 

[Andy 7671]

I hate typo, always get the feeling Im being sarky or somethng, nethertheless, Im just asking....

No mention so far of cable avoidance tool usage.

Guessing as youve identified the overhead incomer and its routing theres no need, ok sorry, just thought Id ask

 

[tony mc]

Dont forget to check for other services into the premises just in case!

 

[needasparks]

My fear is always with hitting a drain or storm drain pipe as the services are normally easy to find but drains seem to run anywhere and not always with indications on direction of run on older properties. a couple i've done I cringed with every smack the the hammer.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

My fear is always with hitting a drain or storm drain pipe as the services are normally easy to find but drains seem to run anywhere and not always with indications on direction of run on older properties. a couple i've done I cringed with every smack the the hammer.

a good giveaway would be manhole and access covers and the like......stench pipes and drains....

 

[Marvo]

I wouldn't worry about drains, they don't bite back, I always worry about hitting a stray MV distribution cable.

There's always a remote chance you might hit something unexpected but if you carefully dig a hole about a meter (3-4 feet) deep before you start whacking in the rods you should reduce the chance considerably.

 

[Engineer54]

What can i say!! All that needs to have been said, ...has been said!! lol!! And not a single mention to date, of that junk 200 ohm Ra, ...I'm impressed, i really am!! ...lol!!

The only thing i can add, is try driving in those rods with a rotary stop SDS, it really is much quicker and your not left with a big hole at the entry point from the flexing of the rod each time you hit the thing with a club or sledge hammer!! Don't forget to buy the driving head/pin that threads into the rod connectors....

 

[Knobhead]

The patron saint of the church of the earth has spoken.

It’s taken a while E54 but the bible thumping has worked.

View attachment 11580

Come on you know I’m taking the mick, but you know I’m in full agreement with your campaign.

 

[Engineer54]

The patron saint of the church of the earth has spoken.

It’s taken a while E54 but the bible thumping has worked.

View attachment 11580

Come on you know I’m taking the mick, but you know I’m in full agreement with your campaign.

LOL!! It's the Bible thumping brigade that my campaign has been against!! :cool3: lol!!!

 

[Guest111]

What can i say!! All that needs to have been said, ...has been said!! lol!! And not a single mention to date, of that junk 200 ohm Ra, ...I'm impressed, i really am!! ...lol!!

The only thing i can add, is try driving in those rods with a rotary stop SDS, it really is much quicker and your not left with a big hole at the entry point from the flexing of the rod each time you hit the thing with a club or sledge hammer!! Don't forget to buy the driving head/pin that threads into the rod connectors....

Agreed and more importantly the rod doesnt move and you end up clubbing yourself,also in relation to the bible bashers tell them your a satanist I did and I,ve never seen anything go down my drive as fast that wasn,t followed by my large GSD lol.

 

[Guitarist]

My fear is always with hitting a drain or storm drain pipe as the services are normally easy to find but drains seem to run anywhere and not always with indications on direction of run on older properties. a couple i've done I cringed with every smack the the hammer.

At least if you go through a drain, the readings should stay nice and low

 

[Millboy]

Well it went ok apart from the snow! Tw*tted 3 down and ended up with 24.3ohms which I'm fairly happy with. I like the tip about getting them down with an sds drill but that would only work with the smaller rods as far as I can see. Yes I was a bit scared of hitting something as there could be anything that deep, unexploded bomb crossed my mind lol!

 

[La Poste]

That's the worry with earth rods for me.

In the the UK you never know what is under the ground or how far to risk digging, putting in an earth rod is a night mare really, the damage you could do if you hit something could cost you a fortune, how can you tell what's down there?

I'm not a scaremonger but if I drove a rod down around here I would always be worried what I would hit.

I guess that's why the skinny little rods are so popular.

 

[Engineer54]

Well it went ok apart from the snow! Twitter 3 down and ended up with 24.3ohms which I'm fairly happy with. I like the tip about getting them down with an sds drill but that would only work with the smaller rods as far as I can see. Yes I was a bit scared of hitting something as there could be anything that deep, unexploded bomb crossed my mind lol!

Why do you think that?? That's exactly how the professionals drive rods in the ground where the soil type is known to be good!! OK, they will be using heavier duty equipment than most electricians will carry, but then they will be probably going down a lot further than you intend too, ...like 6 to 9m!! What you need is an old socket that fit's over the driving tip and rod connector that's welded/brazed onto an old SDS drill shaft or similar. I still have mine, that i had made for me over 15 years ago... My one is for 3/4'' rods, but probably also good for 5/8'' rods too, if a bit of a sloppy fit...lol!!
Or of course, you can buy a propriety off the shelve job, but some can be on the expensive side... lol!!

Those thin rods are are next to useless far too thin and far too short, and can't be extended!!! They should be removed from the market place altogether full stop!! lol!!