Ground rods

[resistance]

Just a note I received. If you already got one, then ignore this one. See below:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]NORTHBROOK, Ill., - July 16, 2007 - Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is notifying electricians, regulatory authorities and consumers that certain ground rods sold at various hardware and home improvement stores bear a counterfeit UL Mark for the United States. The ground rods in question have not been evaluated for safety by UL and are not eligible to bear the UL Mark. It is unknown if the mechanical properties and dimensional tolerances of the ground rods are suitable to ensure an adequate ground path over time. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Name of Product: Ground Rod, Catalog Number PWC 588[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Units: Unknown quantity[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Manufacturer: Unknown [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Date of Manufacture: Unknown[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Identification: The counterfeit ground rods are similar in appearance to ground rods Listed by UL for Priority Wire & Cable. [/FONT]

 

[Lcdrwalker]

This also comes from IAEI site. I believe the orange big box store carried them.

 

[bphgravity]

Unless they are made of plastic, I can't imagine how much less effective they would be verses a listed version considering those aren't all that effective...

If you sign up for the UL email service, you would get these notices when they are published rather than a year and half old...

 

[jim dungar]

Unless they are made of plastic, I can't imagine how much less effective they would be verses a listed version considering those aren't all that effective...

If you sign up for the UL email service, you would get these notices when they are published rather than a year and half old...

Actually UL is saying that the Listing Mark is counterfeit. They are not saying anything about the rods themselves.

 

[brian john]

Actually UL is saying that the Listing Mark is counterfeit. They are not saying anything about the rods themselves.

And using a false UL mark is a BIG NO NO.

 

[LarryFine]

So, where's the info on helping us tell the difference between the real and bogus UL labels?

 

[480sparky]

So, where's the info on helping us tell the difference between the real and bogus UL labels?

Your wish is my command!

 

[bphgravity]

UL Warns of Potentially Hazardous Ground Rods

I wonder how many people have been injured or killed from hazardous ground rods? Are they afraid someone might try to eat one?

 

[Fulthrotl]

This also comes from IAEI site. I believe the orange big box store carried them.

well, that doesn't surprise me. i've reached the point where i hate
home desperate. agent orange.

 

[nc5p]

Unfortunately these will initially test OK but won't last. The copper cladding is likely not up to standard, either in thickness or composition. The importance of buying electrical materials from reliable suppliers cannot be overstated.

 

[480sparky]

Unfortunately these will initially test OK but won't last. The copper cladding is likely not up to standard, either in thickness or composition. The importance of buying electrical materials from reliable suppliers cannot be overstated.

Relaible suppliers aren't immune to selling fake stuff. Rememer the counterfiet Square D breakers?

 

[brian john]

Unfortunately these will initially test OK but won't last. The copper cladding is likely not up to standard, either in thickness or composition.

You have evidence of this?

 

[mxslick]

Show the difference

Show the difference

Anyone out there have one of the bogus rods and one of the real ones? Perhaps cutting them in half and viewing the cross section under magnification might reveal the differences, if any.

 

[480sparky]

Anyone out there have one of the bogus rods and one of the real ones? Perhaps cutting them in half and viewing the cross section under magnification might reveal the differences, if any.

If I had one, I sure wouldn't cut it in half. Why ruin a usable ground rod? Cut half an inch off.... that's all you'd need! :smile:

 

[iwire]

I wonder how many people have been injured or killed from hazardous ground rods?

Well not the general public but I am willing to bet a lot of electricians have gotten injured installing ground rods. Another good argument for a CEE. :smile:

 

[480sparky]

Well not the general public but I am willing to bet a lot of electricians have gotten injured installing ground rods. Another good argument for a CEE. :smile:

Many think I'm nuts for calling One-Call three days before I install ground rods. "Just slam it in the ground!" they'll tell me. A Hilti TE905 will punch a ground rod right into a rigid metal pipe in a heartbeat, let alone a plastic gas line.

 

[SEO]

I wonder how many people have been injured or killed from hazardous ground rods? Are they afraid someone might try to eat one?

They might get hurt driving one or cutting is off.:smile:

 

[bphgravity]

Well not the general public but I am willing to bet a lot of electricians have gotten injured installing ground rods. Another good argument for a CEE. :smile:

They might get hurt driving one or cutting is off.:smile:

Inspectors often stub their toe when kicking the clamp to see if it has been tightened down properly. Except those that wear reinforced-toe boots per OSHA regulations. That or they hurt their back bending over to yank on them to see if they are actually driven 8'.

 

[LarryFine]

Your wish is my command!

Thanx!

So it should say "5/8 8" and not "588"

 

[LarryFine]

If I had one, I sure wouldn't cut it in half. Why ruin a usable ground rod?

But then you'd have two hard-earth rods.