[RE-wrenches] clamp on ground impedance tester

Chris Worcester chris at solarwindworks.com
Mon Apr 19 15:33:53 PDT 2010


I believe the concrete vault is an F-8 with about a 10" dia round concrete
lid marked ground, or sometimes we'll just grab an irrigation round vault
with the green lids if it's not going to be looked at too closely.

 

Sincerely,

Chris Worcester

Solar Wind Works
NABCEP Certified PV Installer
Phone: 530-582-4503
Fax: 530-582-4603
www.solarwindworks.com <http://www.solarwindworks.com/> 
chris at solarwindworks.com
"Proven Energy Solutions"

 

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of R Ray
Walters
Sent: Monday, April 19, 2010 3:24 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] clamp on ground impedance tester

 

Great idea. What do you use, specifically? Seems like a 4" PVC female
adapter with screw in plug would work.

 

R. Walters

ray at solarray.com

Solar Engineer

 

 





 

On Apr 19, 2010, at 3:40 PM, Chris Worcester wrote:





We have been installing the grounding electrodes in small round cement or
plastic vaults as a great way to inspect the connections but reduce the
hazard.

 

Sincerely,

Chris Worcester

Solar Wind Works
NABCEP Certified PV Installer
Phone: 530-582-4503
Fax: 530-582-4603
www.solarwindworks.com <http://www.solarwindworks.com/> 
chris at solarwindworks.com
"Proven Energy Solutions"

 

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of R Ray
Walters
Sent: Monday, April 19, 2010 9:59 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] clamp on ground impedance tester

 

Hi Drake;

 

I have kids, and I agree with you; an exposed ground rod would be a nasty
thing to land on. 

I always had a fear of falling on one with my knee (ugh!), however, I have
had inspectors require 4" of ground rod above grade.

(most installs in New Mexico I see keep the connection above grade)

250.53(G) says flush or below grade, so I'm not sure where the 4" above
grade AHJ ruling here is coming from.

Your inspector had it right IMO.

I leave a few extra inches of conductor, and loop it back over the top of
the rod after the clamp, to make a softer top for it.

I also will stack rocks around the rod after, to protect it as well.

My previous post was just trying to find a bright side of an otherwise
disagreeable local requirement.

 

R. Walters

ray at solarray.com

Solar Engineer

 

 






 

On Apr 18, 2010, at 1:38 PM, Drake Chamberlin wrote:







(another reason to leave the ground rod sticking out of the ground a few
inches)



I had an inspector require me to drive the rod flush.  His concern was that
it was a hazard.  A child playing, or anyone for that matter, who fell face
down on it could be severely injured.  Other problems are that it is a trip
hazard, and it could create issues with lawn moer blades.  I always pound
mine below grade.  If I need to access the rod, I just dig around it a bit. 






Drake Chamberlin
Athens Electric
OH License 44810
CO License 3773
NABCEP TM  Certified PV Installer 
Office - 740-448-7328
Mobile - 740-856-9648

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