Earth rod spacing

[uksparks]

Hi,

Just a general question, I have never installed an earth rod so don't have any experience in them, but would like to think I know the basics before I come across one I have to install.

My question is, presumably I would be correct in thinking the 3/8 rods are not worth the time and should be not sold, and only 5/8 should really be used, put at least two in connected vertically, depth is best I understand, should I need to install another rod to help bring the reading down, is there a recommended distance the second rod should be from the first one or would putting it a few inches away be ok?

My initial thoughts are that it would be ideal to locate it the same distance away that the first one is long, so if its a 4ft rod, put it at least 4ft from it?

And keep them a couple of meters away from the house where possible. Someone mentioned to me that putting a think 1000mm drill into the ground can help drive it in easier.

I did find a good thread on here this morning about exporting PME, or extending the equi-potential zone so to speak and needing to TT the remote end in some circumstances, it did confirm my thoughts, but made interesting reading.

 

[ipf]

Rhymes with felt better though....spelt like that

 

[trev]

Actually, ''NOT'' such a great area to place earth rods. Far better to place earth electrodes externally where rain can keep the surrounding soil wet/damp. The damper the surrounding soil, the better will be the contact between soil and electrode, and better will be the Ra values obtained.

The alternative was breaking deep concrete, which I didn't fancy

 

[guest119]

Ive done 8 metres deep.
Got in at the right time, ongoing deep excavation and just screwed more on as it was later backfilled. If youre not fast, youre last!

Boydy

 

[PEG]

8m? ...nice going fella...clay.loam or did you start in the loft...:smile5: seriously,good depth,out of curiosity,what was the Ra on that?

 

[guest119]

Clay soil at a deep drainage excavation.
3 multi spikes some 5m apart. 20+ spikes.
First ones driven in at the bottom of the excavation and added to with couplers as backfilling went on.
New Sainsburys.
Dont remember the Ra (4 yrs ago) but I do remember being disappointed although it was a personal best.

Boydy

 

[ipf]

Clay soil at a deep drainage excavation.
3 multi spikes some 5m apart. 20+ spikes.
First ones driven in at the bottom of the excavation and added to with couplers as backfilling went on.
New Sainsburys.
Dont remember the Ra (4 yrs ago) but I do remember being disappointed although it was a personal best.

Boydy

A few nectar points for that though, I'll bet.:smile5: