Tim Howard
Well-known member
Today I had one of my favourite tasks, sorting out a completely useless TT setup. Broken RCD and rod measuring >500 ohms.
I find strange satisfaction in bashing in new earth rods. I love the suspense of wondering if all the effort will be worth it, wondering if you've sussed where the other services are correctly, and the buzz when you get a good reading at the end and the rest of the street still has gas and water.
I started off with this. The same rod a year earlier had been 80 ohms:
Obligatory photograph for customer showing how long the new rod is (2 joined together), especially because they are not at home:
I'm still using the ground off 14mm SDS drill bit that I cut slightly shorter than I wanted to many years ago, but it works. It just sits inside a spare 5/8 rod coupler.
And the final result? Nowhere near my record but good enough to let me drive away happy:
I'm sure I'm a bit unusual in liking this task.
Within the vast array of things domestic and commercial sparks are asked to do, what is your favourite?
I find strange satisfaction in bashing in new earth rods. I love the suspense of wondering if all the effort will be worth it, wondering if you've sussed where the other services are correctly, and the buzz when you get a good reading at the end and the rest of the street still has gas and water.
I started off with this. The same rod a year earlier had been 80 ohms:
Obligatory photograph for customer showing how long the new rod is (2 joined together), especially because they are not at home:
I'm still using the ground off 14mm SDS drill bit that I cut slightly shorter than I wanted to many years ago, but it works. It just sits inside a spare 5/8 rod coupler.
And the final result? Nowhere near my record but good enough to let me drive away happy:
I'm sure I'm a bit unusual in liking this task.
Within the vast array of things domestic and commercial sparks are asked to do, what is your favourite?