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astrobaja
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Location: near San Pedro Martir Park
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Grounding rods in Ensenada?
Hi all,
Trying to find an electrical supply place in Ensenada that might sell 2 meter grounding rods. Home Depot has one meter units but we would prefer the
larger ones for our house. The idiots at Soltec in Rosarito who installed our solar system did'nt install one (among many other mistakes they made!).
So my brother in law whos an electrical engineer is coming down next weekend to fix their F-ups!
--Mike
\"There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear
and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.There is another theory which states that this has already happened\"
Douglas Adams
our website: http://bajadarkskies.com |
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gnukid
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| Quote: | Originally posted by astrobaja
Hi all,
Trying to find an electrical supply place in Ensenada that might sell 2 meter grounding rods. Home Depot has one meter units but we would prefer the
larger ones for our house. The idiots at Soltec in Rosarito who installed our solar system did'nt install one (among many other mistakes they made!).
So my brother in law whos an electrical engineer is coming down next weekend to fix their F-ups!
--Mike |
Gosh, every hardware and electrical store should have them?
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Crusoe
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Can you use rebar? ++C++
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nancywinpdx
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grounding rods:
hmmm... clever!!! a multi function brat punisher:
is it smart enough to objectively and fairly decide the punishment, depending on the offense?
a. yer gettin' a spankin'
b. you're 'grounded' with no tv or video games
maybe I'll have to look 'em up on wikipedia.
Ąjust kidding!
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astrobaja
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Nancy, you need a grounding "wand", one that does punishment spells!
I'm sure Olivanders has one 
We could use one for our bratty cats!
\"There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear
and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.There is another theory which states that this has already happened\"
Douglas Adams
our website: http://bajadarkskies.com |
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Oggie
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For US quality electrical supplies in Baja check-out this link:
http://www.1sourcedist.com/LocationsMexico.aspx
A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child.
Knights of Pythagoras
Funny how falling feels like flying
for a little while - Bad Blake
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nancywinpdx
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oh, great idea! and naughty doggies too!
you could patent 'em!
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BajaBruno
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5/8" rebar 8' long, as Crusoe suggested, should work fine for you. It is acceptable by code and commonly used in new home construction.
If you are pushing it into sand, you might want to use two rods, about 6' apart, because sand does not make a very effective ground. It is best if
one is near a downspout so the area stays moist in a rain storm.
Christopher Bruno, Elk Grove, CA.
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DENNIS
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Have your buddy stop at Radio Shack on his way down. They have 'em.
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BajaBruno
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Unless Radio Shack has something besides their typical economy 4' model, that is not likely to meet astrobaja's needs.
Christopher Bruno, Elk Grove, CA.
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBruno
Unless Radio Shack has something besides their typical economy 4' model, that is not likely to meet astrobaja's needs. |
I thought I bought a six footer there. Whatever I used, I had a problem. The soil here is full of rock and getting a rod into the ground hit rock
wherever I tried. I've watched the local electricians work and when sinking a rod, they cut it off when they hit resistance, then walk away.
My power comes from the pole to my pole, down through the meter, underground twenty five feet to a panel in the shed. In the two feet deep trench I
dug, I stripped twenty feet of #6 wire [it may have been heavier] and laid it in the trench, using it for the ground.
Correct me if I'm wrong but, depth isn't the issue and exposure is. I have a twenty foot ground rod. Could it be any better?
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noproblemo2
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Ahhhhhh, Yet another Soltec screw up, I honestly don't know how they stay in business. EcoyEco can probably help you. Rolfs # 664 684 1886 & 664
687 8678 I believe their is post here on solar where he has offered to help with solar info.
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BajaBruno
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Dennis, there is a way to test a ground installation, but I doubt anyone around you has the equipment. Not a problem. The code says that if you have
an inadequate ground, simply drive another rod 6' away and you don't even have to test it (actually, testing isn't required in either case).
Your ground is probably fine, although you'd never get away with having line voltage only 2' feet underground in the US!
Christopher Bruno, Elk Grove, CA.
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBruno
Your ground is probably fine, although you'd never get away with having line voltage only 2' feet underground in the US! |
Whoops. Even in conduit? Oh well....next time I mention it, it'll be six feet. 
Thanks Bruno.......
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Diver
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBruno
5/8" rebar 8' long, as Crusoe suggested, should work fine for you. It is acceptable by code and commonly used in new home construction.
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Do not use rebar for permanent in-ground grounding !!
This is not allowed in any area I have ever worked.
The rebar will corrode and dissappear in time leaving you with no ground.
That's why alloy copper or aluminum is required.
When rebar is used in new foundations, a continuous 20' length poured into the foundation is required for grounding.
.
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DENNIS
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I know this happened a while back but, it's in today's news.
Faulty ground.........
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/09/national/main47873...
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BajaBruno
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This really isn't a grounding issue as much as a bonding problem. It's been much discussed on the electrical boards. Apparently, electrical
engineers are non-existent or in short supply in Iraq and faulty bonding is common.
You're right, Diver, a Ufer rebar ground is encased in concrete. But if a proper ground rod is not available, and you are sinking in sand, which is a
pretty crummy medium for a ground anyway, then rebar would do in my humble opinion. It's not great, and it may not last 30 years, but it's better
than nothing.
Christopher Bruno, Elk Grove, CA.
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Crusoe
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While working as a house framer in Aspen, Co. in the early 1960's, every house we were building at that time was using rebar as a ground rod. They are
all still there as of this day and working fine. The problems that develop is when some one wires up a dissimillar metal wire to one (instigating an
electrolisis condition) like copper or alumium. Using a lead connector between the two different types of metals is helpful. I am sure it is better
to use an alloy as Diver suggests if its available.++C++
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bent-rim
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Copper rods are best. Rebar has a tendency to corrode. They should be placed twice the distance apart as they are long. 8' rods should be placed
16' apart as an example, more rods are better than 1 rod. They need to attached with an unbroken wire to the panel box, I think #6 is what is code.
They make a tool that fits a demolition hammer for driving them into the ground. If the house is wired correctly the grounding rod(s) will never be
used.
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Pacifico
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Speaking of grounding....
Here is a question for you guys - I have a 2 story wood-framed garage with a metal roof on it. There is no "electrical system" built into the
structure yet. Should the metal roof be grounded to a grounding rod in case of lightning? Would this type of structure attract a lightning strike? I
have no clue - the discussion here just got me thinking.... Thanks!!!
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