[R-390] Grounds

Mon Aug 3 11:09:04 EDT 2009

Make that International Codes.

fingers don't always go where I want.  I use the Columbus method of 
typing - Seek out, land upon, AND discover.

Bob

rbethman wrote:
> 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 " |
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