WHAT ARE EARTH RODS?

Earth rod is widely used in many fields such as communication, power, transportation, finance, petrochemical, building system, etc. For example,  communication bureau (station), mobile base station, dispatching machine room, substation, highway facilities, computer room, intelligent community and other units and departments which require strict grounding requirements. The system can form a good earth rod earthing system.

Earth rod, also known as grounding electrode, grounding grid. Earth rod is designed and manufactured on the theoretical basis of improving the internal conductivity of grounding conductor and reducing the external soil resistivity of grounding conductor. The product has the advantages of simple construction, small floor area, no environmental pollution, long service life and low resistance value.

Copper-clad steel has been widely used in grounding devices because of its good electrical conductivity, high mechanical strength, especially the excellent corrosion resistance of copper coatings. The United States, Britain, Germany and other countries stipulate that copper clad steel composite material can be used in grounding body and grounding wire in relevant standards. In our country, the corrosion resistance and reliability of grounding device have been paid more and more attention, and copper clad steel composite material is used instead.

Classification by Material

1. Copper-plated grounding rod: Cover the outside of the grounding rod with a layer of copper over 0.254 mm thickness, which is called copper-plated grounding rod, also known as copper-clad steel grounding rod, etc.

2. Galvanized grounding rod: hot-dip galvanizing and anticorrosive treatment on the outside of the steel rod;

3. Graphite grounding rod: PTD-1 type rod grounding module made of graphite material;

According to different geological conditions, choose the appropriate earth rod earthing system. Copper is the optimal choice of earth electrode material and underground conductor – solid copper is recommended for high fault current installations whereas copper bonded rods are usually installed for smaller sections. Copperbonded steel core earth rods are the most specified due to electrical and mechanical strength, resistance to corrosion as comparatively lower cost compared to solid copper or stainless steel types – the lowest cost galvanised rods for usually installed non-critical, short-term or temporary earthing requirements.

The Use Method of Earth Rod

In the case of using grounding rod money, it is necessary to confirm that the power has been cut off and proceed without current on the corresponding equipment. Firstly, the grounding wire clamp is connected to the grounding grid or flat iron pieces, and then the wire ends and wires are tightened on the equipment wires with grounding rods respectively. When removing the short-circuit grounding wires, the order is exactly the opposite of the above operations. It is strictly forbidden to use winding method for grounding short circuit without wire clamp.

Grounding rods should be properly kept after use. Before each use, we should carefully check whether it is in good condition, whether the soft copper wire is leaking out, whether the nut is loose, whether it can be used and so on. And it is checked regularly to ensure the quality and safety of grounding rod.