[R-390] Grounds

[rbethman]

Cecil,

I do NOT ground all as well as I can - THEN - isolate the whole thing!

My initial comments on the *VARYING* codes refers to localized 
ordinances that SUPPLEMENT the NEC.  I definitely DO tie ALL grounds 
together.

As you pointed out in YOUR post regarding the magnetic effects, 
disconnected PCs can be destroyed.

The codes here have been in a state of flux since late 2004.  The county 
has adopted, AND made mandatory, the Internal codes for residences and 
commercial structures.

There has been a LOT of pain and financial cost to this.  Some of us 
that had new siding put on after a heavy hail storm, have had to have it 
ALL removed.  This is because the underlying "wrap" didn't meet the 
*NEW* code.  Fortunately I went with 1/4" insulation made with Tyvek 
wrap.  Precisely the wrap specified by the new code.

While I've done nothing electrical - antenna, ground, and the like since 
the new code came in, I'm having a professional come out that KNOW the 
new code, and carries it with him.

Then I'll have the groundwork laid to go forward. [NO Pun Intended!]

I am NOT in the county per se, BUT in a city *IN* the county.  It simply 
adds to the confusion and frustration.

I'm STILL looking for the BEST overall solution.  If it means do MORE, 
then I will!

Bob -- N0DGN

Cecil Acuff wrote:
> There seem to be two camps on grounding...
>
> Ground it all as well as you can and with proven techniques and then 
> the isolate the whole thing...grounds only attract lightning.
>
> I can't sleep well at night knowing I did nothing because I've seen 
> what that resulted in....
>
> Cecil
> ----- Original Message ----- From: <wb5uom at hughes.net>
> To: "rbethman" <rbethman at comcast.net>; <R-390 at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Sunday, August 02, 2009 5:44 PM
> Subject: Re: [R-390] Grounds
>
>
>> This has been good reading. Thanks!
>>
>> I have 23 tower installations of my own and cant cout how many more of
>> Customers sites that we take care of . Ive got some sites grounded to 
>> the
>> hilt and still take hits from time to time. I have others with no 
>> grounding
>> at all that never get hit.
>>
>> There was(is) this large oil company, and several years ago they had 
>> a new
>> Communications Manager take over. He had been in the Middle East for 
>> years
>> and came in to our office one day requesting a "tour" of his sites in 
>> this
>> area.
>>
>> The first words out f his mouth upon entering one of the radio Comm
>> buildings was "Get those grounds off my equipment. I do not want  any 
>> of my
>> equipment OTHER THAN the shield of coax's grounded at the point of 
>> entry on
>> the outside of the building."
>>
>> And I have to say, it did not seem to get any worse afterwards and  
>> it is
>> still that way today.
>>
>> David/WB5UOM
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "rbethman" <rbethman at comcast.net>
>> To: <R-390 at mailman.qth.net>
>> Sent: Sunday, August 02, 2009 5:19 PM
>> Subject: Re: [R-390] Grounds
>>
>>
>>> This is a "rough" play for Amateur Radio installations.
>>>
>>> Tisha provided EXTREMELY GOOD reference material!
>>>
>>> Consider it a PERMANENT fixture on my site!
>>>
>>> Bruce, Dave, Dave, Cecil, myself, and others have contributed 
>>> information.
>>>
>>> Roger pointed out the power dissipation being measured in Joules.  Some
>>> strikes will boggle the imagination!
>>>
>>> Bruce spoke of STILL losing some items.  I don't think it IS 
>>> possible to
>>> be absolutely safe from a strike no matter WHAT we do.
>>>
>>> Do YOUR *BEST*!
>>>
>>> Bob - N0DGN
>>>
>>> Bruce Ussery wrote:
>>> > <SNIP>
>>>
>>> > Experience helps I imagine.
>>> > Thanks to all for the good information.
>>> >
>>> > Bruce
>>> > WA4ZLK
>>> >
>>> > Dave Maples wrote:
>>> >
>>> > All: The NEC is correct in this case.  All the grounds need to be
>> connected
>>> > together with large-gauge wire, so that any surge current (whether
>> direct or
>>> > induced) cannot set up a large potential difference between the 
>>> ground
>>> > systems.
>>> > <SNIP>
>>> >
>>>
>>> > This is a large condensation of guidance we received from both
>> Polyphaser
>>> > and equipment vendors.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
>
>

-- 
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
|             AM Amateur Radio Operator    NØDGN                   |   
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Bob Bethman                \\\|///     " The absence of a danger |
|                           \\ ~ ~ //      signal does *NOT* mean  |
| rbethman at comcast.net      (/ @ @ /)      that everything is OK " |
+-------------------------oOOo-(_)-oOOo----------------------------+