TT issues with new house

[Kickaha0884]

We have just moved into a house built in the 90's. So, I'm a retired electrician and was confused by the 4 x TT rods all connected within a metre of each other on one side on the house. I dont have any expensive test kit any more, but when I connected an electric fence energiser to the house earth I only got 1000v instead of the 7000+v. when I ran a test earth independent of the TT system I got the full voltage. I decided to put in a new 3/8 rod and therein lies the problem. The house is surrounded by rubble and you can hammer in a rod and then literally just pull it out again by hand. Nearest proper soil is 15m from the house. Any suggestions would be gratefully received. Ta.

 

[Kickaha0884]

Linian make some very handy accessories here. One is a rod-tip that is basically a masonry drill:

LINIAN Earth Rod Pro™ Bit, Carbide Tip (1LERPB)

LINIAN designed and developed a simple and effective solution that bores through hard top layers and underground rock to achieve a secure Earth Rod connection first time. This innovative, patented new solution offers installers confidence that they will be able to easily install the rod the...

linianclip.co.uk

And they do a matching SDS driver to make it easier to drive in:

LINIAN Earth Rod Pro™ Driver (SDS+) (1LERPD)

With the rise of new challenges like 5G, EV charging industry, Big Data installers are completing, even more, earth rod installations than ever before. However, this can be a laborious task, often involving a large hammer, a lot of effort, and hopefully a bit of luck. It doesn’t have to be this...

linianclip.co.uk

If you can get 8' in (two 4' rods with coupler) generally you get better results as ground tends to retain moisture lower down. However, if it really is dry rocky stuff all the way you might want to consider a trench to somewhere that has soil for a rod with better chance of success.

Thanks for your advice. will get this bit and maybe have to hunt around for some more solid ground. When I was running my electrical business I vaguely remember you used to be able to buy something like a clay to goa around the rod - will have to have a look...........

 

[DPG]

Thanks for your advice. will get this bit and maybe have to hunt around for some more solid ground. When I was running my electrical business I vaguely remember you used to be able to buy something like a clay to goa around the rod - will have to have a look...........

Bentonite I think it's called.

 

[Kickaha0884]

Bentonite I think it's called.

think you are right. Absorbs moisture. I remember my wife nicked some of it at the time as its good for complexion as well.... never worked on me.

 

[pc1966]

A cheaper option is the clay based cat litter material, easy to find as well.

 

[Kickaha0884]

A cheaper option is the clay based cat litter material, easy to find as well.

Good idea and my wife is hardly likely to use cat litter...

 

[Dave OCD]

A cheaper option is the clay based cat litter material, easy to find as well.

Hopefully unused...

 

[Kickaha0884]

Hopefully unused...

hahaha

 

[brianmoooore]

A cheaper option is the clay based cat litter material, easy to find as well.

Interesting! Never measured Ze at my brother in laws place, but it should be good then. His house is built on the stuff (Fuller's earth). Lawn is like walking on mattresses after heavy rain.