Ground and Safety

danielle · 17th February 2006, 04:11 PM

Hi,
First of all, I really don't know what to search or where to put this so sorry for any mispost.

The thing is, I live in a country where 3-pronged plugs don't exist! Yeah, this is a matter of economic status vs. safety...
Anyways, I'm not new to electronics and DIY but this will be the first time I'll be trying tube amp DIY and high voltages. (I can use a welding machine tho

)
I was told that you can 'earth' a length of wire for the purpose of ground. So I'm thinking of making me my own outlet in my workarea. Any other safety precaution recommendations?
Thanks!

danielle · 17th February 2006, 05:08 PM

(umm.. how do you edit? )
Anyways, I just read the Safety Practices thread... and what I wanted to ask earlier was safety about 'earthing'.

SY · 17th February 2006, 06:19 PM

The main thing is to get a good, solid earth connection on the far side of the wire. Cold water pipes are often recommended, but depending on where you live, they may not be a reliable ground. If you aren't 100% totally fully completely absolutely confident of that ground, then drive a couple meter long copper spike into the ground and solidly attach your earth wire to it. Big earth wire, 10 gauge at least.

AndrewT · 17th February 2006, 06:47 PM

Hi,
copper spikes might be a bit expensive.

Copper plated steel spikes should be more affordable.

If you can't drive the spike deep enough then dig a pair of long holes and bury the two spikes separately.

The two spikes allow you to test the effectiveness of the grounding so you don't want them too close to each other.

I don't know where you are but if the ground becomes dry then the grounding often becomes less effective. This is not usually a problem in the UK but still something we check.

See what you can find on instructions for installing and testing earth grounding spikes.

Good luck.

anatech · 17th February 2006, 06:53 PM

Yes to all of the above. The ground where your spikes are must remain moist at the level of your "ground" spikes. Otherwise they are not as useful.

Can you ask a local electrician how they do this?

-Chris

Original Burnedfingers · 17th February 2006, 07:00 PM

Quote:

copper spikes might be a bit expensive.

Copper plated steel spikes should be more affordable.

question.... What is your life worth? Is is not worth a copper grounding rod?

I think so!

anatech · 17th February 2006, 07:04 PM

Hi Joe,
If Danielle's place is like mine, too many rocks to drive a spike into the ground. They want extra around here to dig fence posts.

But your point about copper is well made.

-Chris

AndrewT · 17th February 2006, 07:31 PM

Hi,
I am only an informed amateur but I believe the UK power industry use copper plated earthing rods. The tape connecting them is generally copper, often insulated.

Original Burnedfingers · 17th February 2006, 07:58 PM

Well, I certainly cannot speak for the UK but here in the states I have never seen a copper plated ground rod being used. Where I reside they use solid copper for grounding by electrical code. Personally I would use 10ga minimum for the lead in wire.

danielle · 18th February 2006, 03:31 AM

I think I do know where I can salvage copper pipes!

Thanks for the suggestions!

17th February 2006, 04:11 PM	#1
danielle diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: my room	Ground and Safety Hi, First of all, I really don't know what to search or where to put this so sorry for any mispost. The thing is, I live in a country where 3-pronged plugs don't exist! Yeah, this is a matter of economic status vs. safety... Anyways, I'm not new to electronics and DIY but this will be the first time I'll be trying tube amp DIY and high voltages. (I can use a welding machine tho ) I was told that you can 'earth' a length of wire for the purpose of ground. So I'm thinking of making me my own outlet in my workarea. Any other safety precaution recommendations? Thanks!

17th February 2006, 06:19 PM	#3
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	The main thing is to get a good, solid earth connection on the far side of the wire. Cold water pipes are often recommended, but depending on where you live, they may not be a reliable ground. If you aren't 100% totally fully completely absolutely confident of that ground, then drive a couple meter long copper spike into the ground and solidly attach your earth wire to it. Big earth wire, 10 gauge at least. __________________ "...we stumble and get up, we are sad, confident, insecure, feel loneliness and joy and love. There is nothing more; but I want nothing more.” - Christopher Hitchens 1949-2011

17th February 2006, 06:47 PM	#4
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	Hi, copper spikes might be a bit expensive. Copper plated steel spikes should be more affordable. If you can't drive the spike deep enough then dig a pair of long holes and bury the two spikes separately. The two spikes allow you to test the effectiveness of the grounding so you don't want them too close to each other. I don't know where you are but if the ground becomes dry then the grounding often becomes less effective. This is not usually a problem in the UK but still something we check. See what you can find on instructions for installing and testing earth grounding spikes. Good luck. __________________ regards Andrew T.

17th February 2006, 07:31 PM	#8
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	Hi, I am only an informed amateur but I believe the UK power industry use copper plated earthing rods. The tape connecting them is generally copper, often insulated. __________________ regards Andrew T.

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17th February 2006, 05:08 PM	#2
danielle diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: my room	(umm.. how do you edit? ) Anyways, I just read the Safety Practices thread... and what I wanted to ask earlier was safety about 'earthing'.

17th February 2006, 06:53 PM	#5
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Yes to all of the above. The ground where your spikes are must remain moist at the level of your "ground" spikes. Otherwise they are not as useful. Can you ask a local electrician how they do this? -Chris

17th February 2006, 07:00 PM	#6
Original Burnedfingers diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002	Quote: copper spikes might be a bit expensive. Copper plated steel spikes should be more affordable. question.... What is your life worth? Is is not worth a copper grounding rod? I think so!

17th February 2006, 07:04 PM	#7
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	Hi Joe, If Danielle's place is like mine, too many rocks to drive a spike into the ground. They want extra around here to dig fence posts. But your point about copper is well made. -Chris

17th February 2006, 07:58 PM	#9
Original Burnedfingers diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002	Well, I certainly cannot speak for the UK but here in the states I have never seen a copper plated ground rod being used. Where I reside they use solid copper for grounding by electrical code. Personally I would use 10ga minimum for the lead in wire.

18th February 2006, 03:31 AM	#10
danielle diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: my room	I think I do know where I can salvage copper pipes! Thanks for the suggestions!

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