[amsat-bb] Re: ground rod/plate bonding question

[Glenn Little WB4UIV]

Tyler

Do a google search for MIL-HDBK-419. This should answer all you questions.

Is the copper strap solid or braided? Braided is no good for a lightning 
ground. Lightning prefers the least inductive, closest path to ground. 
Braid is inductive to lightning due to the way it is made. Lightning is NOT 
a DC event. It is a HF AC event.

Cad weld the grounds to the rods and the ground window, eliminate any doubt 
as to how good the connection is.

Is this ground window bonded to the service entrance ground? Is it bonded 
to the tower ground?

If not it should be. You need to keep the ground potential of all three 
places the same. If lightning hits the power line and the grounds are not 
bonded together, the antenna ground will not be at the same potential as 
the power ground and current will flow. How much depends on the magnitude 
to the discharge. Will the equipment survive, depends on the magnitude of 
the discharge.

Nothing will survive a direct hit.

In a former job, I had to evaluate remote sites that had lightning damage. 
If the site owner followed my suggestions, lightning damage was minimal. If 
not, they continued to have damaged equipment due to differences in grounds.

73
Glenn
WB4UIV



At 02:59 PM 11/24/07, Tyler Harpster wrote:
>Hello!
>
>I am going to install a large brass plate at the cable entrance to my shack.
>I have a large ground rod outside the entrance where everything is going to
>be grounded.  I'm planning on using a large piece of copper strap to connect
>the plate to the rod.
>
>Is there any substance I can use to clean/prep the copper and the brass?  Is
>there a material to use between the two metals to keep them from oxidizing
>and keep the bond in good condition?
>
>Thanks
>
>Tyler
>KM3G
>
>_______________________________________________
>Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
>Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
>Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb