Grounding boxes - The real deal

[Marco]

Nope, if you lie them down on the ground horizontally (flat), and star-earth them together that way, then cover the whole area with conductive concrete, you get a more effective earth than simply ramming rods down lengthwise into the ground. Trust me, I've tested (and even measured) it both ways! Well, the electrician did...

That's why in professional installations, they use what's called an earth lattice mat: https://churchillsc.co.uk/earth-mat-lattice-copper

From link above: "Lattice copper earth plates are usually used in situations where its very difficult to knock earth rods into the ground. The plates are usually placed a meter in the ground and because of the surface area will usually generate good readings".

I've done a similar thing with rods, creating a square, and with the final rod running diagonally from corner to corner

I should've really used another one and created a cross in the middle, but at the time didn't think of that until it was too late!

Marco.

[karma67]

hmm,conductive concrete,i wonder if thats in the boxes,either dry or in powder form???
https://www.powerandcables.com/marconite-earthing/

[willbewill]

Now all you need is a good catenary protection system and you're totally covered ;-)

[willbewill]

hmm,conductive concrete,i wonder if thats in the boxes,either dry or in powder form???
https://www.powerandcables.com/marconite-earthing/

That thought struck me as well.

[CageyH]

Nope, if you lie them down on the ground horizontally (flat), and star-earth them together that way, then cover the whole area with conductive concrete, you get a more effective earth than simply ramming rods down lengthwise into the ground. Trust me, I've tested (and even measured) it both ways! Well, the electrician did...

That's why in professional installations, they use what's called an earth lattice mat: https://churchillsc.co.uk/earth-mat-lattice-copper

From link above: "Lattice copper earth plates are usually used in situations where its very difficult to knock earth rods into the ground. The plates are usually placed a meter in the ground and because of the surface area will usually generate good readings".

I've done a similar thing with rods, creating a square, and with the final rod running diagonally from corner to corner

I should've really used another one and created a cross in the middle, but at the time didn't think of that until it was too late!

Marco.

Trust me, horizontal or vertical orientation makes no difference to surface area.
Your chosen installation method did that. You could have done the same thing vertically, but it would have been much harder, and more expensive.

[Marco]

hmm,conductive concrete,i wonder if thats in the boxes,either dry or in powder form???
https://www.powerandcables.com/marconite-earthing/

Don't know, Jamie, but I used stuff called 'Conducrete': http://www.ukearthingservices.co.uk/...php/conducrete

Got it from a mate who works in the industry. Basically, it allows an earthing system to achieve maximum conductivity/least resistance at all times

The downside otherwise is that the earth will only function optimally when the soil is wet, which of course means continually keeping it so! Or simply accepting that your system's performance will vary depending on whether or not it rains (as mains impedance lowers with a more conductive earth)..... And yes, I've tested for that too!

Marco [major mains geek].

[struth]

Be very difficult to do it vertically and you do t benefit from the weight of soil atop you get with a horizontal install.
Also at depth your more likely to be in or around the water table

[Marco]

Trust me, horizontal or vertical orientation makes no difference to surface area.
Your chosen installation method did that. You could have done the same thing vertically, but it would have been much harder, and more expensive

Yes that's the point, and what I meant!

Marco.

[walpurgis]

Be very difficult to do it vertically and you do t benefit from the weight of soil atop you get with a horizontal install.
Also at depth your more likely to be in or around the water table

Yes. There's something reassuring about a good burial!

[Marco]

Be very difficult to do it vertically and you do t benefit from the weight of soil atop you get with a horizontal install.
Also at depth your more likely to be in or around the water table

Yes, that's also a good point. If I did it again, I'd use one of those copper earth latices I linked to above

Marco.