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Re: [TowerTalk] Ground Rod Replacement

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Ground Rod Replacement
From: "Roger (K8RI) on TT" <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2015 23:00:25 -0400
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Often, the answers to a question raises many more questions.

Corrosion Vs area:

To begin, a 5/8ths rod corroding down to a half inch goes through a cycle in area with the area of the irregular surface becoming quite a bit more than the 5/8ths inch (0.625") diameter rod with a smooth surface. Depending on the extent and depth of the corrosion, I'd expect a substantial increase in the contact area. Once the peak is reached, the area would diminish rapidly. Because of the irregularity in corrosion, I have no idea as to what the peak area would be. An 8' rod would be 96 inches long, a 5/8ths in rod has a circumference of 1.96 inches 1.96 X 96 or an area of 188 sq inches divided by 144 (sq inches in a sq ft ) = 1.3 sq ft. Even if the area doubled it's only about 2.6 sq ft for a little while.

If the rods corrode that badly, that fast, I would think the soil needs to be treated, or sacrificial rods installed.

With the low PH of our soil, the rods look reasonably good after 5 to 10 years. Perhaps there is some electrolysis going on to cause the rapid corrosion? With steel guys, install an insulator reasonably close to anchor points? As the ground rods are bonded to the tower that raises another question. Is there a current flowing through the ground rod? Can a voltage be measured from the tower to 10 or 15 feet out into the yard (or surrounding soil) at different times of the year ? With various equipment powered up?

Just thinking out loud for possible reasons for the advanced corrosion in addition to the soil conditions. Here, even ground rods near the edge of the drain field do not show that kind of advanced corrosion.

When I had the repeater in the garage, There was enough voltage, that rubbing a 6" screwdriver on the EHS would over ride the received signal.

73

Roger  (K8RI)


On 8/16/2015 1:49 PM, Bill Aycock wrote:
Jim--
Lighten up; in this case, the new question, and any answer, should contribute to clarification. (I think) With what I have heard about "Salt Doping" and similar means of enhancement, I see only a strong probability of ambiguity here, as it is now.
Bill--W4BSG

-----Original Message----- From: Jim Chaggaris
Sent: Saturday, August 15, 2015 10:54 PM
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Ground Rod Replacement

Please don't answer a question with a question. It's counter productive..

73,
Jim N9WW

Jim Chaggaris
President
PowerOne Corp./PowerOne Environmental
2325 Dean St. Suite 200
St. Charles, IL 60175
Phn: 630.443.6500
Cell: 630.669.2241
Fax: 630.443.6505
Website: www.pwrone.com

Sent from my iPad Air




On Aug 15, 2015, at 8:08 PM, <john@kk9a.com> <john@kk9a.com> wrote:

Does corrosion make them not effective?

John KK9A


To:    towertalk@contesting.com
Subject:    [TowerTalk] Ground Rod Replacement
From:    Tony <dxdx@optonline.net>
Date:    Sat, 15 Aug 2015 19:22:51 -0400

All:

I've read the service life of copper-clad ground rods can last as much as 40
years depending on the type of soil they're in.

Be that as it may, I found some corrosion on 4 copper-clad ground rods that are bonded to the tower and they've only been in the ground for 15 years.
The corrosion is light at a foot below grade, but I suspect it could be
worse down the length of the rod.

Replacing the rods isn't costly and it's worth knowing the grounds are in
good shape. The question is what to do with the existing rods?

Is there any benefit in placing the new rods near the old and bonding them
even though the spacing is close?

Tony

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73

Roger (K8RI)


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