[Elecraft] Grounds... I know, I know... its a Dead issue BUT... (no Pun)

[Jim Brown]

On 4/6/2011 8:44 AM, Phil Townsend wrote:
> It looks like they used a solid metal pipe that houses the big A/C wire inside of this pipe.
> This pipe IS connected to the service entrance by some metal gland nuts.
> The 2 1/2" pipe goes outside of the house and is buried underground. It goes off to a transformer that is about 100 yards away.
> So my question:
> IS this pipe MY Ground rod?

Usually, metallic conduit (the pipe you describe) rated for direct 
burial is protected by an outer layer to resist corrosion. That layer is 
likely to act as an insulator, so it's unlikely that your conduit is 
providing an acceptable ground.

If it were my home I would add one or more ground rods by the power 
panel, and more near the shack. And, of course, all must be bonded 
together.  Indeed, that's what I had to do with the home I bought in CA. 
There were NO rods, and the only attempt at an earth connection was a 
wire running horizontally about three feet above ground to a metallic 
outlet for a watering  hose, but all pipe to the hose was PVC.  So the 
house was ungrounded!

73, Jim K9YC