Protecting your home or shed from electrical surges and lightning strikes is important. Using a grounding rod is needed for this to work properly. It is easy to install, though it does take a bit of effort and some special tools. There may be specific rules in your area on how and where they need to be installed, so be sure to check with a local utility company. It is also very important to have them come out and mark where other lines are to avoid electrocution or damaging other lines.
The first step is to get the right equipment for the job. You may need a post hole digger, shovel, and post driving tool for this job since the rods are usually eight feet long. They are often copper. When you buy one, make sure it is approved material or it will not properly ground your home. This can lead to a very dangerous situation.
The next step is to dig the hole. Avoid rocky areas or any places that the utility company marked for other lines. The spot you pick should be between one and two feet from the building for it to work the best. If it is too close, it can reduce the effectiveness by putting the surge back into the building.
With the spot selected you can begin to dig. If you have a post hole digger, you can dig a couple of feet down easily. Using a shovel is fine, but you do not need to dig a wide hole. Dig the hole as deep as you can before moving to the next step.
Once the hole is deep enough to start, add water. This will help soften the soil and make the rest of the job a bit easier. Place the rod in the hole and start pushing it around. One end should be pointed and this is the end that goes into the ground first. As you push it, you may add more water to help soften the dirt even more. Eventually, you will need to use a mallet, hammer or driver to complete the job of putting the rod all the way into the ground.
The pole driver works best. It is designed to fit over the pole, making it easy to pound it into the ground without using a hammer, which can miss and hit your hand. If you don't have one, use a two by four or other board to give yourself a larger surface to hit. Keep pounding and driving the pole into the ground until it is just above the hole.
Now you want to attach a ground wire. This will also be attached to your electrical panel, so be sure to handle with care. Some are shielded wires, so you will need to cut the end and expose the copper wire. Use a special clamp to connect to the pole. Make sure there is enough slack in the wire that bumping it will not disconnect it from the rod. You may want to dig a small trench to bury the wire it if is in an area that will be mowed and away from the house a few feet.
Fill in the hole and finish the job. Some areas require the rod to be completely underground and others don't have a rule. It is best to keep it low enough that the lawn mower won't hit it. If it is in an area that will be mowed, it is a good idea to bury the connecting wire as well as the rod completely under the ground.
The first step is to get the right equipment for the job. You may need a post hole digger, shovel, and post driving tool for this job since the rods are usually eight feet long. They are often copper. When you buy one, make sure it is approved material or it will not properly ground your home. This can lead to a very dangerous situation.
The next step is to dig the hole. Avoid rocky areas or any places that the utility company marked for other lines. The spot you pick should be between one and two feet from the building for it to work the best. If it is too close, it can reduce the effectiveness by putting the surge back into the building.
With the spot selected you can begin to dig. If you have a post hole digger, you can dig a couple of feet down easily. Using a shovel is fine, but you do not need to dig a wide hole. Dig the hole as deep as you can before moving to the next step.
Once the hole is deep enough to start, add water. This will help soften the soil and make the rest of the job a bit easier. Place the rod in the hole and start pushing it around. One end should be pointed and this is the end that goes into the ground first. As you push it, you may add more water to help soften the dirt even more. Eventually, you will need to use a mallet, hammer or driver to complete the job of putting the rod all the way into the ground.
The pole driver works best. It is designed to fit over the pole, making it easy to pound it into the ground without using a hammer, which can miss and hit your hand. If you don't have one, use a two by four or other board to give yourself a larger surface to hit. Keep pounding and driving the pole into the ground until it is just above the hole.
Now you want to attach a ground wire. This will also be attached to your electrical panel, so be sure to handle with care. Some are shielded wires, so you will need to cut the end and expose the copper wire. Use a special clamp to connect to the pole. Make sure there is enough slack in the wire that bumping it will not disconnect it from the rod. You may want to dig a small trench to bury the wire it if is in an area that will be mowed and away from the house a few feet.
Fill in the hole and finish the job. Some areas require the rod to be completely underground and others don't have a rule. It is best to keep it low enough that the lawn mower won't hit it. If it is in an area that will be mowed, it is a good idea to bury the connecting wire as well as the rod completely under the ground.
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