How physically is a 10 foot copper grounding rod inserted...

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Question by bruwool
Submitted on 9/29/2003
Related FAQ: Electrical Wiring FAQ (Part 1 of 2)
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How physically is a 10 foot copper grounding rod inserted into the ground, considering rocks etc?

Answer by r3
Submitted on 10/16/2003
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first you get a water hose and turn it on soak the spot for a minute then put it aside get a 5lb hammer you might need it. next insert the ground rod into the ground about 2" then take it out add water just a splash then reinsert the ground rod push the ground rod up and down as verticle as possible till it starts getting hard to move up and down take the rod out and add more water then do the proccedure over and over tell the rod is at ground level you may have to use the hammer to get the last bit in make sure you put the connector on before you hit it with the hammer.

Answer by Speedy Electrical Services
Submitted on 9/8/2004
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Actually the best tool I've ever used is made by a company called IPS. I think it's called a Ground Pound or something like that but I've used it so much and so often the name scratched off the surface already. It's like a big sliding hammer and it's perfect for putting those ground rods into any kind of material. (I've even gotten through asphalt, but don't tell the venue I was working at about that!) Best of all, when you turn it around, it's a giant hammer. IPS'swebsite is: www.ipsupplies.com or you can get it through Walter's Electrical Supplies. Hope this helps!

Answer by rick
Submitted on 11/22/2004
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the water trick works and is the old style way of inserting the rod . I recently read that the electric companies have air hammers on their truck to pound the rod in because they found the water method may create a hazard condition. you might see if the electric company offers an install service

Answer by jt1965
Submitted on 2/7/2005
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Use a HILTI TE-75 with a ground rod adaptor

Answer by keith
Submitted on 11/1/2005
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Don't forget to call in a markout before you put anything in the ground. I would hate for you to hit a gas line or an electrical line.

Answer by Medievalist
Submitted on 2/13/2006
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Short answer: with difficulty. Longer answer: Use r3's water trick detailed in the previous answer - it works!! You can also use a piece of heavy pipe with a cap on one end as a "persuader" - slip it over the rod, lift and drop repeatedly until you get to where it is possible to drive with a heavy hammer. Put the nut on before hammering to prevent mushrooming from making it impossible to fit on. If you can't do it with these methods, you probably can't get a ground there anyway - really hard rock holds water poorly and thus makes a bad ground medium. A steel well casing makes a super good ground, incidentally.

Answer by RIck
Submitted on 12/11/2006
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Go to the local rental shop. Rent a piece of equipment that looks and acts like a jackhammer with an attachment specifically for driving rods into the ground. this is the best way to get the job done. second best is a manual slidehammer. hardware stores usually sell them or you can rent them as well.

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