PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-696

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 696

NOVEMBER 2010
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-696 - Page 23 of 33
43
PS 696
NOV 10
Try to ground to a buried metal
object like an underground pipe.
That will save you a lot of digging or
driving in frozen ground. However,
the metal object has to be buried
at least 2
1
/
2
feet below the surface;
cannot contain or transfer natural gas,
gasoline, or other flammable liquids;
must be all non-coated metal; and you
must test its conductivity before you
use it.
If no buried metal object can be found, use your ground rods. Drive them in
as far as you can.
If you use the 8-ft, 3-section rod, NSN 5975-00-878-3791, you can use
slide hammer, NSN 5120-01-013-1676, to drive it in. If you’re using the 6-ft, non-sectional
rod, you’ll have to use a sledge hammer to do the job.
If you cannot get the rods deep
enough—below the frost line and to the
water table—install a cluster of shorter
rods.
Depending on the number of rods
you have, you should install them around
the perimeter of your shelter or generator
in a triangle pattern. If you cannot install
around the perimeter, use a star-pattern.
The distance between rods should be 2-4
rod lengths.
grounding
in the
Cold,
Cold
Ground
if you
do
hook up to a
buried metal object,
make sure you connect
the grounding electrode
conductor to the object
with a solid connection. a
wrap-around or tie-it-on
connection
won’t
do!
Use terminal lug, NSN 5940-00-
271-9504, to connect conductor
to gear
Drive head stud,
Couplings,
Clamp,
8-ft, 3 section rod, NSN 5975-00-878-3791
Slide hammer, NSN 5120-01-013-1676
6 ft, 1 section rod, NSN 5975-00-224-5260
in cold ground,
it’s tough to
get a good
ground. frozen
earth has low
conductivity.
static buildup
increases.
burrowing into
frozen soil
to drive home
a ground rod
can be next to
impossible.
but a good ground
is still a
must.
so, now is the
time to establish
any grounds you
think you might
need during the
winter months.
here are a few tips
for getting those
grounds in place…
thanks for
keeping my
shelter well-
grounded!
696.42-43.indd
1-2
9/27/10
11:00 AM
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