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Protecting your home or shed from electrical surges and lightning strikes is important. Using a grounding rod is needed for this to work properly. It is easy to install, though it does take a bit of effort and some special tools. There may be specific rules in your area on how and where they need to be installed, so be sure to check with a local utility company. It is also very important to have them come out and mark where other lines are to avoid electrocution or damaging other lines.
The first step is to get the right equipment for the job. You may need a post hole digger, shovel, and post driving tool for this job since the rods are usually eight feet long. They are often copper. When you buy one, make sure it is approved material or it will not properly ground your home. This can lead to a very dangerous situation.
Next, start digging the hole. It is important to mention again that the utility company should mark the locations of other wires so you can safely dig before starting. You will also need to select a spot near the electrical panel on the outside of the house. If you are too close to the building you may reduce its effectiveness. Being placed one to two feet away is about right, but not a requirement.
Next, start digging. If you have the post hole digger, you can use it to get a few feet down. These are better than shovels because you do not need a wide hole, but a deep one. If you only have a shovel it will do, but the hole won't be as deep. Either way, you will get a good start and be on your way.
After you reach as far as you can go, add some water to the hole. You don't have to fill the hole, just make it moist so you can begin pushing the rod in by hand. The water will help with this process. As you go deeper with the pole, add more water to help out. You can move the pole back and forth with the pointed end in the ground to make it easier. Once you reach the point it won't go deeper by hand, grab another tool.
The pole driver works best. It is designed to fit over the pole, making it easy to pound it into the ground without using a hammer, which can miss and hit your hand. If you don't have one, use a two by four or other board to give yourself a larger surface to hit. Keep pounding and driving the pole into the ground until it is just above the hole.
Now you want to attach a ground wire. This will also be attached to your electrical panel, so be sure to handle with care. Some are shielded wires, so you will need to cut the end and expose the copper wire. Use a special clamp to connect to the pole. Make sure there is enough slack in the wire that bumping it will not disconnect it from the rod. You may want to dig a small trench to bury the wire it if is in an area that will be mowed and away from the house a few feet.
Fill in the hole and finish the job. Some areas require the rod to be completely underground and others don't have a rule. It is best to keep it low enough that the lawn mower won't hit it. If it is in an area that will be mowed, it is a good idea to bury the connecting wire as well as the rod completely under the ground.
The first step is to get the right equipment for the job. You may need a post hole digger, shovel, and post driving tool for this job since the rods are usually eight feet long. They are often copper. When you buy one, make sure it is approved material or it will not properly ground your home. This can lead to a very dangerous situation.
Next, start digging the hole. It is important to mention again that the utility company should mark the locations of other wires so you can safely dig before starting. You will also need to select a spot near the electrical panel on the outside of the house. If you are too close to the building you may reduce its effectiveness. Being placed one to two feet away is about right, but not a requirement.
Next, start digging. If you have the post hole digger, you can use it to get a few feet down. These are better than shovels because you do not need a wide hole, but a deep one. If you only have a shovel it will do, but the hole won't be as deep. Either way, you will get a good start and be on your way.
After you reach as far as you can go, add some water to the hole. You don't have to fill the hole, just make it moist so you can begin pushing the rod in by hand. The water will help with this process. As you go deeper with the pole, add more water to help out. You can move the pole back and forth with the pointed end in the ground to make it easier. Once you reach the point it won't go deeper by hand, grab another tool.
The pole driver works best. It is designed to fit over the pole, making it easy to pound it into the ground without using a hammer, which can miss and hit your hand. If you don't have one, use a two by four or other board to give yourself a larger surface to hit. Keep pounding and driving the pole into the ground until it is just above the hole.
Now you want to attach a ground wire. This will also be attached to your electrical panel, so be sure to handle with care. Some are shielded wires, so you will need to cut the end and expose the copper wire. Use a special clamp to connect to the pole. Make sure there is enough slack in the wire that bumping it will not disconnect it from the rod. You may want to dig a small trench to bury the wire it if is in an area that will be mowed and away from the house a few feet.
Fill in the hole and finish the job. Some areas require the rod to be completely underground and others don't have a rule. It is best to keep it low enough that the lawn mower won't hit it. If it is in an area that will be mowed, it is a good idea to bury the connecting wire as well as the rod completely under the ground.
About the Author:
Find out how to get a high-quality grounding rod by viewing our web pages today. To access our online catalog of high voltage equipment or to learn more about our certifications, click the links at http://www.rossengineeringcorp.com .
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