[R-390] Grounds

[Gord Hayward]

I pounded in a few rods and then (in an instant of idiocy) measured the 
resistance between the rods and
the service (water pipe) ground with an Ohm meter.  Very interesting, I 
got a negative value.  To make
the long story shorter, the water pipe was corroding when connected to a 
copper rod.  I changed to
galvanized ground rods which make the ground and act as protective 
anodes.  I know these won't last
forever, but I'd rather they go than the water pipes.  I also have about 
250 feet of #10 insulated copper
radials buried in the yard (the best the dumpster had to offer at a time 
when copper was cheaper).
Cheers, Gord VE3EOS.

-- 

Gordon L. Hayward, Ph.D., P.Eng.,
Associate Professor, Biological Engineering,
School of Engineering, University of Guelph,
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1.