It is important to have your house or permanent structure properly grounded if you have electricity in the building. This can help prevent a fire should lightning strike or some other electrical surge be sent towards the building. Installing a grounding rod properly is very important but also much easier than you might think. There are some regulations in areas on what the requirements are, so be sure to check and see what the rules are in your area. You will also want to ask your utility company to mark where any underground lines are so you avoid hitting them when installing the rod.
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.
Next, start digging. If you have the post hole digger, you can use it to get a few feet down. These are better than shovels because you do not need a wide hole, but a deep one. If you only have a shovel it will do, but the hole won't be as deep. Either way, you will get a good start and be on your way.
Once the hole is deep enough to start, add water. This will help soften the soil and make the rest of the job a bit easier. Place the rod in the hole and start pushing it around. One end should be pointed and this is the end that goes into the ground first. As you push it, you may add more water to help soften the dirt even more. Eventually, you will need to use a mallet, hammer or driver to complete the job of putting the rod all the way into the ground.
After you have the rod a couple of feet into the ground, start hammering. There will be a point where it just won't go in manually anymore. If you do not have a driver, which is placed over the top of the rod allowing you to easily drive it in, you can put a board over it to make a bigger surface to hit. Keep hammering and driving it until there is just an inch or two sticking above the top of the hole.
Attach the ground wire. It is best to use the special ground clamp that usually comes with the pole. Make sure the end of the ground wire is exposed if it is a shielded wire. Give it enough slack from the electrical panel so it will not come loose if the pole or wire is hit or bumped.
Fill in the hole and finish the job. Some areas require the rod to be completely underground and others don't have a rule. It is best to keep it low enough that the lawn mower won't hit it. If it is in an area that will be mowed, it is a good idea to bury the connecting wire as well as the rod completely under the ground.
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.
Next, start digging. If you have the post hole digger, you can use it to get a few feet down. These are better than shovels because you do not need a wide hole, but a deep one. If you only have a shovel it will do, but the hole won't be as deep. Either way, you will get a good start and be on your way.
Once the hole is deep enough to start, add water. This will help soften the soil and make the rest of the job a bit easier. Place the rod in the hole and start pushing it around. One end should be pointed and this is the end that goes into the ground first. As you push it, you may add more water to help soften the dirt even more. Eventually, you will need to use a mallet, hammer or driver to complete the job of putting the rod all the way into the ground.
After you have the rod a couple of feet into the ground, start hammering. There will be a point where it just won't go in manually anymore. If you do not have a driver, which is placed over the top of the rod allowing you to easily drive it in, you can put a board over it to make a bigger surface to hit. Keep hammering and driving it until there is just an inch or two sticking above the top of the hole.
Attach the ground wire. It is best to use the special ground clamp that usually comes with the pole. Make sure the end of the ground wire is exposed if it is a shielded wire. Give it enough slack from the electrical panel so it will not come loose if the pole or wire is hit or bumped.
Fill in the hole and finish the job. Some areas require the rod to be completely underground and others don't have a rule. It is best to keep it low enough that the lawn mower won't hit it. If it is in an area that will be mowed, it is a good idea to bury the connecting wire as well as the rod completely under the ground.
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