Aluminum Ground Ring

[bphgravity]

Are aluminum electrodes permitted for utility owned communication towers and antenna structures.

 

[jtester]

Re: Aluminum Ground Ring

I believe that the NESC would apply to grounding electrode systems if they are utility related. There may be debate if they are privately held cell tower companies or something else. I have an older version and it says that

made electrodes shall be of metal or combinations of metals that do not corrode excessively under the existing conditions for the service life.

Could they be sacrificial anodes or something other than grounding electordes?
Jim T

 

[hbiss]

Re: Aluminum Ground Ring

Yes, sounds like a sacrificial anode to me also. I can't see how an aluminum ground electrode would last very long.

Maybe Dereck will chime in here with the answer.

-Hal

 

[charlie]

Re: Aluminum Ground Ring

Jim, the current edition of the NESC (2002) says the same thing. Therefore, an aluminum electrode would be forbidden.