[BC] Protecting Steel and Copperweld Grounds in AM Ground Systems - Part 2

[Dana Puopolo]

I've done a similar thing, except that I use magnesium sulfate (epsom salts)
in the hole...
Copper sulfate would also work, but has environmental issues.
-D

------ Original Message ------
Received: Sun, 24 Dec 2006 01:01:10 PM EST
From: Danny Ray Boyer <drboyer at centralcom.com>
To: broadcast at radiolists.net
Subject: [BC] Protecting Steel and Copperweld Grounds in AM Ground Systems -
Part 2

FYI, the cathodic protection process is shown on pages 34 and 36 on 
the http://www.epa.gov/oilspill/pdfs/fitzgerald_04.pdf web site.

By the way, my main method of obtaining a "much better than normal" 
ground for lightning protection at towers that we erect is have a drilling
rig
"core" me a 6" (or so) diameter hole in the ground close of the base 
of the tower.
This hole to be somewhere between 25 to 50 feet deep.  In fact, the 
deeper - the better.

I order a long life anode from one of the anode vendors with enough 
2/0 wire installed in it to reach to the bottom of the hole.

I strip off the insulation from the 2/0 and drop the anode in the 
hole, pour in some salt and cokebreeze.

Back fill the hole with a mixture of dirt and other conductive material.
Cadweld the 2/0 to the base of the tower.

In effect, I now have the benefit of the anode (which will slowly 
leach into the surrounding soil for 20 years or so) and the 2/0 
uninsulated wire for 50 feet or so.

This is not to be the exclusive grounding method for the structure - 
but is to be added to your normal grounding arrangement.

In my opinion and after 30 years of doing this, it works well.  My 
experience reflects very little damage to equipment over the years at 
the tower that we have done
this to due to lighting strikes.

Danny Ray Boyer













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