[SMCARA] Semi-Easy Ground Rod Insertion

[William S Merritt]

Unfortunately this 'wet' method does NOT meet either National Electrical 
Code standards for a safety ground nor for an RF ground.

NEC code requires a safety ground rod to be driven in 'undisturbed 
earth'.   By washing out soil you disturb the native soil and reduce its 
conductivity.

This method can be used with enhanced ground rods.  That is a hollow rod 
(pipe) with holes in it which is either driven into the soil or more 
commonly, placed in a hole which is back filled.  The pipe is then 
filled with salts such as common rock salt or Epsom salt, magnesium 
sulfide.  It is then wetted and repeatedly packed.  Periodically it must 
be serviced with more salt.

Ordinary copper plated rods make poor RF grounds without additional 
radials.   Enhanced grounds may be used for safety or RF grounds.

73, Bill
KB4QAA


On 9/13/2014 2:34 PM, Bill Jones wrote:
> Just used it to install my ground rods. Just got a little wet on occasion.
> There are a lot of videos on the Internet on this also. But parts are ;
>
> 10' 5/8ths O.D. emt conduit
>
> 1 5/8" Water hose repair kit which  uses the Brass Connector and tapered
> end for inserting into the hose
>
> 1 5/8" Adapter with a turn valve to turn the water on and off
>
> About 8 to 10 dollars in parts.
>
> Had a neighbor heat one end of the conduit and hammer it in place using
> scrap 2x4 piece then once in and lucky for me he has an air-compressor used
> an air hammer to get it the rest of way in. The other way we were going to
> do it once it was in far enough was to use a plumbers torch kit you buy
> just about anywhere and solder the two together together but this worked
> well.  I also marked from hose end 3 marks with a marker, one for 9', one
> for 8' and then 2" so that I could add the clamps and wire and then due to
> soft soil hammer the rest of way in but no beating it or go to 8' mark and
> then hold rod in place. Next hook a hose to the end and turn water on at
> main. Then using a ladder place the conduit into position in a small hole I
> started to keep pipe below ground. Turn on the water and pump the rod up
> and down and let water do the work. Depending on ground it took me 20 min
> on first and 15 on the other. No beating it. Have run the ground wire (#4
> Solid)  from crawlspace with enough slack to run up to room. Then ran that
> to the first and second rod. Still need to connect to the power ground but
> may drop one more rod first. But so far it not too much headache. Just a
> little wet now and then and kneeling in wet soil. Wear old clothes. Of
> course as per working outside the house exercise caution and know where the
> power and cable, telephone, etc is. Contact Miss Utility if you need to. No
> need to irritate a neighbor or have a bad day with hitting something you
> should not. If anybody wishes to borrow this tool, its available for use
> once I get the last rod in tomorrow or Monday.
>
> Bill
>
> KC3DEZ
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-- 
Bill Merritt
KB4QAA/3