Compression vs Bolted vs Exothermic Connections

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Frenetic

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I've been reading a lot about the various connection types available for grounding and wanted to see what other people's opinions are on the subject.

I know the NEC lists "minimum" connection type requirements, with bolted being one of them (while the IEEE, to a lesser extent, says otherwise), but has anyone gone to the extent to exlude such connections for grounding and forced compression and/or exothermic type connections for the sake of increased grounding integrity?

I'm seeing a lot of bolted grounding joints that are starting to corrode and after testing them, the resistivity has gone up dramatically. I was curious if it was more trouble than to just test and replace, then to do some of the more sturdier connections to begin with and not have to worry about them as much?

Thanks again in advance.
 
Can you be more specific about the connections you are referring to, as in GEC connections to GE's; GE bonding jumper segments connected together, etc?

Do you see a lot of bonding jumpers that are failing, is that what you're saying?

(I think you might get more of a response with a better detail.)
 
I've seen just as many loose ground rod acorn clamps as I've seen CadWelded GEC connections that were brittle and simply broke off. What's better? I think Burndy makes a little terminal that you can crimp your GEC right onto a 5/8" rod with the proper die. Havn't seen these in the field, but they are interesting.
 
I like..

I like..

I use multiple compression clamps in the rebar for my ufer grounds, and when possible for ground rods, run my GEC in EMT, and use EMT bonding clamps, which provides a secondary GEC of sorts.

I have no experience with welding connections.

I have been suspect of the grade of steel used in the screws on many standard ground clamps, especially when they are used in wet soil, which is why I prefer acorns, as the compression screw is large and non-corrosive.
 
In my industry all mechanical forms of connection are prohibited, and all outside grounds must be exothermic, indoor compression only.
 
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