Earth rod fluid

[Deleted account]

Some where on this forum a while ago someone mentioned poring a special fluid (not urine) or resin down a hole by earth rod to improve surface area connection to the mass of earth in high resistance areas.

What is this fluid/ resin called.

I need to earth a new supply on. Very stoney, shale type ground. A 3 meter trench has been dug on site and the shale earth goes all the way.

 

[Bobster]

Bentonite/Marconite or Urea

. . .

 

[Deleted account]

Bentonite/Marconite or Urea

. . .

Thanks that’s the stuff. . .

 

[Bobster]

Thanks that’s the stuff. . .

Marconite is the best, but involves mixing with cement to form a conductive concrete.

Bentonite is good.

Urea is also good an probably cheapest but stinks to high heaven

 

[telectrix]

could always pour a couple of pints of mercury down.

 

[Deleted account]

Marconite is the best, but involves mixing with cement to form a conductive concrete.

Bentonite is good.

Urea is also good an probably cheapest but stinks to high heaven

Probably go with Marconite. After reading up on it.

A pre mix bag costs about £100 25kg

There are 2 new supplies. Will the 25 kg bag be enough for 2 2 meter earth rods do you think.

 

[Strima]

Furse make a conductive concrete, on eBay at £100 a bag.

 

[Deleted account]

Furse make a conductive concrete, on eBay at £100 a bag.

What size and would it do 2 rods at 2 meters each.

 

[Strima]

What size and would it do 2 rods at 2 meters each.

I’m not 100% but rather than use a rod you can pour 50% of the mix in a trench, strip back a couple of meters of 16mm and lay out on top of the mix then add the rest to fill the trench, ideal if no soft ground in the area as it can act as a path foundation etc.

 

[Bobster]

Probably go with Marconite. After reading up on it.

A pre mix bag costs about £100 25kg

There are 2 new supplies. Will the 25 kg bag be enough for 2 2 meter earth rods do you think.

They will normally give a m^2 coverage in the data sheet.

How big's the hole you are putting the rods in?

 

[Bobster]

I’m not 100% but rather than use a rod you can pour 50% of the mix in a trench, strip back a couple of meters of 16mm and lay out on top of the mix then add the rest to fill the trench, ideal if no soft ground in the area as it can act as a path foundation etc.

Used to do this often in the quarries. Around new substations we would trench a perimeter, an lay 35mm bare copper in exactly the method you describe.

 

[Deleted account]

I’m not 100% but rather than use a rod you can pour 50% of the mix in a trench, strip back a couple of meters of 16mm and lay out on top of the mix then add the rest to fill the trench, ideal if no soft ground in the area as it can act as a path foundation etc.

Sounds interesting. Is this acceptable. Where would you put your safety electricAl connection notice

They will normally give a m^2 coverage in the data sheet.

How big's the hole you are putting the rods in?

I was going to dig down a meter and put a 1 meter soil pipe down to stop stone and slate falling in on rod. Hammer 2 meter rod in and pore resin into soil pipe.
Remove soil pipe while still runny so resin spreads into surrounding stones and ground and gives a good surface area for earth path.

 

[Strima]

Sounds interesting. Is this acceptable. Where would you put your safety electrical connection label

Label on the point of connection to the installation so at the earth terminal.

You are installing an electrode, this could be a rod, tape, cable, steel reinforcement etc.

 

[Deleted account]

Label on the point of connection to the installation so at the earth terminal.

You are installing an electrode, this could be a rod, tape, cable, steel reinforcement etc.

If I’m stripping back the 16mm earthing cable and laying it into the compound I am not actually connecting the earthing cable to anything other than at the CU side. but I do need to inform people not to interfere with the point of contact with earth.

How did you label it when you did it this way?

 

[Strima]

If I’m stripping back the 16mm earthing cable and laying it into the compound I am not actually connecting the earthing cable to anything other than at the CU side. but I do need to inform people not to interfere with the point of contact with earth.

How did you label it when you did it this way?

At your point of connection like any other electrode. The only other way to interfere with the cable is to dig it up.