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How to install 8 ft ground rod?
Posted on 4/14/22 at 7:25 am
Posted on 4/14/22 at 7:25 am
Installing temp power pole and have never installed a ground rod. It’s copper. Is it as simple as just hammer it into the ground? Will it bend easily? Thanks for the help
10
Posted on 4/14/22 at 7:46 am to Tiger In the Swamp
Push it in the ground as far as you can then get some water and pour down the side of it as you work it up and down to the desired depth.
Posted on 4/14/22 at 7:59 am to Tiger In the Swamp
quote:
Is it as simple as just hammer it into the ground?
yes
it can bend, so dont get crazy, just hit it straight with a 4-5 lbs maul and as mentioned, adding water if the ground is dry helps
Posted on 4/14/22 at 8:16 am to Tiger In the Swamp
Don’t drive it down with the sledgehammer. Wet sink it. Pour some water on the ground jab it up and down until you make a hole and add more water. Then keep doing it back and forth until the ground rod is sticking about 5 or 6 inches above ground
Posted on 4/14/22 at 8:17 am to keakar
Depending on the ground a lot of times you can get it down to a workable level with just your hands and body weight. Then it’s sledge hammer time! Worked in the family electrical business for years wiring houses, and drove hundreds of those bastards.
Posted on 4/14/22 at 8:40 am to Speckhound
quote:
Push it in the ground as far as you can then get some water and pour down the side of it as you work it up and down to the desired depth.
Depending on where you are in the country, if you go right now the grounds should be nice and saturated for you
Posted on 4/14/22 at 8:52 am to Tiger In the Swamp
I drove mine in with a two pound hammer. I had to redo it several times after hitting rock here in NW Arkansas. It never did bend.
Posted on 4/14/22 at 10:06 am to Tiger In the Swamp
Put a socket on a hammerdrill. Works like a charm.
Posted on 4/14/22 at 10:22 am to papasmurf1269
quote:
Don’t drive it down with the sledgehammer. Wet sink it. Pour some water on the ground jab it up and down until you make a hole and add more water. Then keep doing it back and forth until the ground rod is sticking about 5 or 6 inches above ground
I’ve sunk 8 ft rods in less than a minute doing this, no hammer needed. However in areas with rocks it could take a few attempts, still far quicker than a hammer.
Posted on 4/14/22 at 10:32 am to Tiger In the Swamp
Done this before.
Ground was hard as hell. End of the rod was beat to shite, but whatever its in there.
Ground was hard as hell. End of the rod was beat to shite, but whatever its in there.
Posted on 4/14/22 at 3:06 pm to kengel2
NO Hammer. I put an 8 ft in the ground in no time. Do what they said above. Push it in then pull it out and add water. Repeat.
Posted on 4/14/22 at 4:14 pm to Speckhound
quote:
Push it in the ground as far as you can then get some water and pour down the side of it as you work it up and down to the desired depth.
this^^^...
Posted on 4/14/22 at 5:56 pm to Tbone2
quote:
NO Hammer.
That was an extreme circumstance.
Water thing works most of the time, but sometimes you have to do what you got to do. Had to use it to drive 3 10ft grounds for a 750kw generator.
Posted on 4/14/22 at 9:46 pm to kengel2
I drive ground rods occasionally for work. Guy who said hammer drill has the right idea. Also have used a post driver pretty effectively. Tried using a hammer once, don’t waste your time. I understand everyone doesn’t have access to a hammer drill and the water trick might work (never heard of that before) but you can drive the rod to needed depth with just a few drives with the post driver.
Posted on 4/14/22 at 10:33 pm to Speckhound
quote:
Push it in the ground as far as you can then get some water and pour down the side of it as you work it up and down to the desired depth.
I’m just curious, is this in sandy soil?
Soil around here (west TN) is clay. I really don’t think that would work but would be will to try if ever needed.
Posted on 4/14/22 at 11:18 pm to Churchill
quote:FIFY, unless you want a busted socket.
Put a impact socket on a hammerdrill. Works like a charm.
Posted on 4/14/22 at 11:54 pm to bbvdd
quote:
I’m just curious, is this in sandy soil? Soil around here (west TN) is clay. I really don’t think that would work but would be will to try if ever needed.
I’ve done it in red clay in North La, and normal soil lots of places. It’s hydraulics, once you get started the water is pushing the soil away in front of the rod allowing it to sink. The only thing that will stop you are rocks.
Posted on 4/15/22 at 7:25 am to EA6B
I’m curious how much water is used to do this? And how long does it take? I’ve driven hundreds in with a sledge and never had an issue and never used this technique. Started using a t post driver and those work well too.
Posted on 4/15/22 at 11:54 am to BeerThirty
quote:
I’m curious how much water is used to do this? And how long does it take? I’ve driven hundreds in with a sledge and never had an issue and never used this technique. Started using a t post driver and those work well too.
LINK
Very little water, like a couple of pints, and I’ve sunk a 8 foot rod in less than a minute. Found a YouTube video.
This post was edited on 4/15/22 at 12:00 pm
Posted on 4/15/22 at 3:23 pm to Tiger In the Swamp
Do it like most electricians and cut 2-3' off it....
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