Ground rod "acorn"

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celtic

celtic

Senior Member
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NJ
Is an "acorn" rated/suitable for direct burial/contact with earth/concrete?
CP58-CP34.jpg

Scenario:

New service, rods were driven and attached to conductor - then "someone" poured a cement/concrete walkway over it.

Opinions/References?
 
mdshunk said:
I think the one's I normally use have "DB" embossed on them. I can only assume that's for direct burial.
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Likewise, They have DB stamped on them, and the little plastic package I get mine in state "direct burial" on them. I just had an inspector grouch that I should leave my rod sticking up a few inches. I told my supervisor, who was at the inspection, the nec states 8' IN THE GROUND. I went by the nec, and the acorn was listed for its environment.

:roll:

~Matt
 
TOOL_5150 said:
Likewise, They have DB stamped on them, and the little plastic package I get mine in state "direct burial" on them. I just had an inspector grouch that I should leave my rod sticking up a few inches. I told my supervisor, who was at the inspection, the nec states 8' IN THE GROUND. I went by the nec, and the acorn was listed for its environment.

:roll:

~Matt
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NEC also states the rod shall be flush unless protected from phys damage.

Don't believe everything inspectors say. :rolleyes:
 
I believe that most if not all acorn clamps are approved for direct burial. I did see a picture of a clamp that was not listed for inbedment that was almost gone after only six months in the slab.
 
Per the UL white book ground clamps and other connectors suitable for use where buried in earth or embedded in concrete are marked for such use. The marking may be abbreviated "DB" (for "Direct Burial").
 
Some supply houses actually send their employees out into the woods to check the squirrels' nests for acorns that were taken from the supply house.
 
cowboyjwc said:
I believe that most if not all acorn clamps are approved for direct burial. I did see a picture of a clamp that was not listed for inbedment that was almost gone after only six months in the slab.
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So do you now check everyone to see if it says db ?
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
So do you now check everyone to see if it says db ?
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I'm not sure that I've ever seen an acorn clamp that wasn't marked DB. There might be some, but I can't recall having ever seen any. The "water pipe" clamp type can easily be either way. The one's that look like grey pot metal are never marked for direct burial, in my observation.
 
celtic said:
Is an "acorn" rated/suitable for direct burial/contact with earth/concrete?
CP58-CP34.jpg
Click to expand...

Is it rated for rebar connection as in the picture...? (I'll assume it is since the image you posted is from erico)

I once landed a #4 on the CEE stub out, in the garage wall, and was told by an inspector that they were not rated for that. Well, that was some time ago, and I never followed up on it to find out.

In my mind it was a solid connection. Better than some of the other listed clamps I've used.
 
frizbeedog said:
Is it rated for rebar connection as in the picture...? (I'll assume it is since the image you posted is from erico)
Click to expand...

The picture was for illustration only.
What brand rod/acorn is used - anyone's guess?

The one I used was purchased at Cooper.
 
I went to my suppliers to check on their acorn clamps. They are Galvan Industries SRC acorn clamp is suitable for direct burial and in concrete.
grClamp1.jpg


It appears all of the acorns made by Galvan are rated for both db and concrete encasement. I did find some from Ilsco that were specific about being suitable for concrete.

In all I have not found an acorn that was not listed for direct burial but I did find some that were not listed for concrete encasement.
 
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