The first material choice is galvanized steel pipe. It will be processed according to our pre-determined requirements and quantity. Generally, the length of the galvanized steel pipe should not be less than 2.5 meters. If steel pipes are to be driven into the ground, they should be processed into a specific shape according to the soil conditions of our foundation to ensure proper installation. They are usually cut at an angle, or, to prevent the pipe from tilting during driving, they can be processed into a flat, pointed shape.
The second material choice is angle steel. Galvanized angle steel is commonly used, with a specification of 25mm × 4mm. The length of the angle steel should also not be less than 2.5 meters. During fabrication, one end of the angle steel should be processed into a pointed shape, usually by beveling.
Thirdly, we need to measure and mark the grounding line according to our drawings and installation requirements. A foundation pit with a depth of 0.8 to 1 meter should be dug on this line, and the width of the pit is generally 0.5 meters. The upper part of the trench should be slightly wider, and any stones at the bottom must be cleaned out.
How to Install Grounding Electrodes
General Time Requirements: After digging the trench, the grounding electrode and galvanized flat iron should be installed immediately to prevent trench collapse.
First, place the angle iron or galvanized steel pipe on the center line of the trench and drive it into the soil. Generally, a hand hammer is used. One hand holds the grounding electrode while another person uses a sledgehammer to strike the top of the grounding electrode, driving it into the ground. To prevent bending the steel pipe or angle iron, a cap can be added and placed on top of the grounding electrode. For angle steel grounding, short angle steel, approximately 10mm in length, can be welded to the other side of the grounding angle steel.
When driving the artificial grounding electrode, a hand hammer is generally used. The hammer should be steady, striking the exact center of the grounding electrode, avoiding any deviation. It should also be kept perpendicular to the ground. Driving should stop when the top of the grounding electrode is 600mm from the ground.