Alternitive ground lead tails

[cranky108]

After seeing the results of several copper thefts, we have been looking for alternitives to copper ground leads in substations.
Has any one had any experence with other types other than copper?

We have discussed the pro's and con's of both painted copper, and copper weld, but nether seem ideal.

 

[rcw retired EE]

I saw steel bars about 8 mm x 50 mm used to ground light poles, pipe suports, and other structural items at large power plants in India. I don't recall if the steel bar was welded or bolted to an underground copper grid or a steel pipe or bar.

 

[itsmoked]

Have you noted that copper theft has ended? It's scrap value has tanked.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[cranky108]

I know the value of copper has droped, but copper thieves can't be that smart can they?

Most of the copper theves that have been cought localy are on meth, so they really don't keep up with the price of commidies until they try to sell them. Which is why copperweld won't work very well.

 

[7anoter4]

You may use Galvanized Steel strips of 0.1 inch thick minimum and pipes [schedule 40 minimum]. Depends, of course, upon how corrosive is the soil. You have to remove all copper embedded conductor and electrodes. Recommended it is to test the grounding once in a year-at least-and to add electrodes if it is required. If you intend to weld the parts together the damaged galvanization has to be repair with reach zinc compound. But there is a lot of grounding clamps suppliers as Erico for instance:

http://www.erico.com/public/library/fep/LT0359.pdf

There are also galvanized steel grounding rods factory made.