Protecting your home or shed from electrical surges and lightning strikes is important. Using a grounding rod is needed for this to work properly. It is easy to install, though it does take a bit of effort and some special tools. There may be specific rules in your area on how and where they need to be installed, so be sure to check with a local utility company. It is also very important to have them come out and mark where other lines are to avoid electrocution or damaging other lines.
First, you need to gather the equipment needed. This will include a shovel or post hole digger, a driving tool, hammer or mallet, and the proper type of rod. They are eight feet long and usually made of copper. Ask your hardware store to point you to the right type of rods for the job. Using the wrong material will not protect your home from a surge.
Next, start digging the hole. It is important to mention again that the utility company should mark the locations of other wires so you can safely dig before starting. You will also need to select a spot near the electrical panel on the outside of the house. If you are too close to the building you may reduce its effectiveness. Being placed one to two feet away is about right, but not a requirement.
With the spot selected you can begin to dig. If you have a post hole digger, you can dig a couple of feet down easily. Using a shovel is fine, but you do not need to dig a wide hole. Dig the hole as deep as you can before moving to the next step.
When the hole is dug, add water. This is to help soften the ground so it will be easier to push the pole into the ground. Being by pushing it by hand. You may have to move it around in a circle to help get it through the packed dirt. There will be one end that is pointed and that one should go into the ground. At some point, you won't be able to hand push it in and will need to move to the next step with the tools.
Once it is a few feet in the ground, grab the other tools to get it to go the rest of the way. The best is a pile driver. This is designed to fit over the pole and allow you to push it in with less effort by lifting and slamming it back down onto the pole. If you do not have one, you might use a two by four to make the surface easier to hit with a hammer or rubber mallet. Hammer the pole until it is either a couple of inches above or level with the hole.
Now you want to attach a ground wire. This will also be attached to your electrical panel, so be sure to handle with care. Some are shielded wires, so you will need to cut the end and expose the copper wire. Use a special clamp to connect to the pole. Make sure there is enough slack in the wire that bumping it will not disconnect it from the rod. You may want to dig a small trench to bury the wire it if is in an area that will be mowed and away from the house a few feet.
The last step is to fill in the hole. If you have it completely under the ground or exposed by an inch or so, pack the dirt in so it will be protected. Make sure it is low enough that a lawn mower will not hit it with the blades.
First, you need to gather the equipment needed. This will include a shovel or post hole digger, a driving tool, hammer or mallet, and the proper type of rod. They are eight feet long and usually made of copper. Ask your hardware store to point you to the right type of rods for the job. Using the wrong material will not protect your home from a surge.
Next, start digging the hole. It is important to mention again that the utility company should mark the locations of other wires so you can safely dig before starting. You will also need to select a spot near the electrical panel on the outside of the house. If you are too close to the building you may reduce its effectiveness. Being placed one to two feet away is about right, but not a requirement.
With the spot selected you can begin to dig. If you have a post hole digger, you can dig a couple of feet down easily. Using a shovel is fine, but you do not need to dig a wide hole. Dig the hole as deep as you can before moving to the next step.
When the hole is dug, add water. This is to help soften the ground so it will be easier to push the pole into the ground. Being by pushing it by hand. You may have to move it around in a circle to help get it through the packed dirt. There will be one end that is pointed and that one should go into the ground. At some point, you won't be able to hand push it in and will need to move to the next step with the tools.
Once it is a few feet in the ground, grab the other tools to get it to go the rest of the way. The best is a pile driver. This is designed to fit over the pole and allow you to push it in with less effort by lifting and slamming it back down onto the pole. If you do not have one, you might use a two by four to make the surface easier to hit with a hammer or rubber mallet. Hammer the pole until it is either a couple of inches above or level with the hole.
Now you want to attach a ground wire. This will also be attached to your electrical panel, so be sure to handle with care. Some are shielded wires, so you will need to cut the end and expose the copper wire. Use a special clamp to connect to the pole. Make sure there is enough slack in the wire that bumping it will not disconnect it from the rod. You may want to dig a small trench to bury the wire it if is in an area that will be mowed and away from the house a few feet.
The last step is to fill in the hole. If you have it completely under the ground or exposed by an inch or so, pack the dirt in so it will be protected. Make sure it is low enough that a lawn mower will not hit it with the blades.
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