Pole Mounting - Use the Pole as Ground?

72 Posts
Aug 8, 2009 01:09 pm
Pole Mounting - Use the Pole as Ground?

Can you use a steel ( 6 inch schedule 40 ), in 4 foot of concrete, as the system ground?
 
Aug 9, 2009 05:37 pm
Re: Pole Mounting - Use the Pole as Ground?

Probably not the greatest equipment grounding electrode (ground rod.) I am not sure how its done in your area but, where I am, if we have to drive a "ground rod," if only one 8 foot long by 5/8 diameter galvanized steel rod is driven, it has to be certified by a third party to be at 25 ohms or less or, two can be be driven no less than 6 foot apart, all the way down, no questions asked. But, I am guessing that 6 inch steel pole is a PV array and if its all going back to a grid tied home, it may only need one. This would be up to your "authority having local jurisdiction" (local electrical inspector) of course.

http://www.electriciantalk.com/f9/connecting-two-ground-rods-2235/
 
578 Posts
Aug 10, 2009 10:25 am
Re: Pole Mounting - Use the Pole as Ground?

in most cases the pole is not used as a grounding electrode.  a separate one is driven in.  usually the poles are encased in large concrete foundation, and this limits its ability to pass current to ground.  when driving ground rods in dry climates, often it takes more than one ground rod to successfully meet the required ohms to ground measurement for a safe ground.  in most cases i suspect that this is the case for the pole, offering too much resistance from the concrete foundation.

i would love to hear from others with experience on this topic

james
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351 Posts
Aug 10, 2009 12:13 pm
Re: Pole Mounting - Use the Pole as Ground?

Concrete isn't a problem.
In my area, Ufer grounds (concrete encased) are common.

(3) Concrete-Encased Electrode.
An electrode encased by at least 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete, located within and
near the bottom of a concrete foundation or footing that is in direct contact with the earth, consisting of at least 6.0 m (20 ft) of one or more bare or zinc galvanized or other
electrically conductive coated steel reinforcing bars or rods of not less than 13 mm (1.2 in.) in diameter, or consisting of at least 6.0 m (20 ft) of bare copper conductor not smaller than 4 AWG. Reinforcing bars shall be permitted to be bonded together by the usual steel tie wires or other effective means. Where multiple concrete-encased electrodes are present at a building or structure, it shall be permissible to bond only one into the grounding electrode system.

The OP's pole does not meet the requirements as a ground rod or a Ufer.

The zinc plated steel mentioned by Tom is not accepted by our local authorities. It must be copper clad. The testing for a single rod is too much of a hassle to deal with. So, you drive two, or use the Ufer.
 
11 Posts
Aug 11, 2009 04:53 pm
Re: Pole Mounting - Use the Pole as Ground?

after reading that I have but 1 question, Since I have a reinforced concrete home  If I attach my ground from the panels to rebar that is connected to my foundation/footings would that act as ground for just my panels? I have a separate ground rod pounded in for the ground for the balance of system
 
72 Posts
Aug 11, 2009 07:40 pm
Re: Pole Mounting - Use the Pole as Ground?

... The OP's pole does not meet the requirements as a ground rod or a Ufer. ...

Thanks to all for the feedback.
 

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