You're Grounded!!

There is one time in your life you will be happy to be grounded.

An earth ground usually consists of a ground rod (or a set of ground rods) driven into the soil. At sea, the salt water forms a good earth ground if a corrosion-resistant metal plate having large surface area (such as the hull or keel) is placed in contact with it. In a car, a truck, a boat in fresh water, an aircraft, or a spacecraft, there is no such thing as a true earth ground. But if the mass of metal comprising the vehicle is substantial, that mass can simulate an earth ground reasonably well. An earth ground minimizes the susceptibility of electronic equipment to interference from other devices. In large, base-station wireless installations, a good earth ground also provides a certain measure of protection from the destructive effects of lightning.



An electrical connection to earth. The part directly in contact with the earth (the earth electrode) can be as simple as a metal (usually copper) rod or stake driven into the earth, or a connection to buried metal water piping. Or it can be a complex system of buried rods and wires. The resistance of the electrode-to-earth connection determines its quality, and is improved by increasing the surface area of the electrode in contact with the earth, increasing the depth to which it is driven, using several connected ground rods, increasing the moisture of the soil, improving the conductive mineral content of the soil, and increasing the land area covered by the ground system. This type of ground applies to radio antennas and to lightning protection systems.

Todays advanced plumbing systems that use little or no copper have created a problem previously solved by grounding you house electrical supply to the existing copper plumbing pipes.

What do you do if you use all PVC or better yet Pex Flexible Piping with no copper?

Here are some easy solutions

Some building codes call for a 20' long rebar rod be placed in the footer nearest the electrical service entrance.

This rod must come in contact with the soil and be bent up to a height of not less than 8" and not more than 18" above grade for proper grounding of your house wiring.

This is the least desirable method in my opinion.

If you use and underlayment vapor barier that wraps under the footers and up the side of the slab then you are required to do the following.

Two metal rods must be sunk deep into the ground and measuring 25 OHMS resistance between them.

Choose this for the best solution.

Now you are grounded for life!