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| Reviews Summary for Home Depot 8 Foot Ground Rod |
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Reviews: 1
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Average rating: 4.0/5
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MSRP: $13.00
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Description: Copper plated steel rod for grounding systems.
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More info: http://
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KI4SDY
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 27, 2009 00:01
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Inexpensive Basic Lightning Protection
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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A couple of years ago I was having trouble with lightning hitting all over the yard, the trees, electical lines and antennas. I had massive property damage and financial loss. I actually was living in lightning terror. Having never experienced this before, I checked around for a possible cause. Finally, I found there was no ground rod installed below the outside electric company power meters. They had a copper wire running to a power pole about 30 yards away. Whether or not that was effectively grounded is anybody's guess, but I would guess not.
I called the power company and they cheerfully offered to install a rod for $45.00 and a $7.00 maintenance for the rest of my life! I decided to do it myself. I went to Home Depot and found the same 8 foot copper plated steel rod for $13.00. I also picked up a bronze clamp and 3 feet of 8 AWG copper wire, for a total cost of about $16.00. I went home, had it beaten into the ground just below the meters and hooked up to the existing ground wire in about 15 minutes. I have not had a problem since. It has been the most cost-effective investment in my home and shack I have made. Think of the radios I have saved!
My only gripe is the rod is not solid copper, but copper plated steel. In Florida, the humidity oxidizes the copper off the steel rod in a short period for time and it starts to rust, reducing conductivity. I am thinking about pulling it and replacing it with a copper pipe of the same diameter and length. In the mean time, it has been protecting my home and ham equipment. I still disconnect all the antennas and unplug the AC power when I am not using it because I am shell shocked.
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