Portable earthing device. DIY

PHARR

Firstly I apologise if this is in the incorrect section I was unsure where to ask.

At work we use various communication equipment which requires earthing. This equipment is portable and needs to be operated even in the outside (in tented conditions).

Now my question is, as a cheap and efficient way to create an earth system for this kit. Can I place a long buzz bar into a concrete block and use this to earth the equipment off? Weight as such isn't a problem but budget wise is. I'm after the best way to earth this equipment but also by obyding to law.

Is there document or source to back up whether I can or can't

Thanks

CrazyRed

PHARR wrote: »

Firstly I apologise if this is in the incorrect section I was unsure where to ask.

At work we use various communication equipment which requires earthing. This equipment is portable and needs to be operated even in the outside (in tented conditions).

Now my question is, as a cheap and efficient way to create an earth system for this kit. Can I place a long buzz bar into a concrete block and use this to earth the equipment off? Weight as such isn't a problem but budget wise is. I'm after the best way to earth this equipment but also by obyding to law.

Is there document or source to back up whether I can or can't

Thanks

In my experience, 'earthing' something into concrete is rarely effective. Why not buy yourself a copper earth rod (about 1.2m long) and a reasonable (4lb) hammer and hammer said rod into the earth, then earth your equipment to that?

Hammer's about a tenner at B&Q and the earth rod is less than three quid from Screwfix (http://www.screwfix.com/p/earth-rod-3-8-4ft/28044)

HTH

Jonesya

And don't for get to check if there's likely to be anything buried (cables, pipes, drainage) when you're driving in the earth rod.

PHARR

So a buzz bar in a concrete post wouldn't work? It's ok saying knock
It in the ground but sometimes we set up in big empty warehouses where's there's no earth accessible.

Thank you for your responses so far. Helping a lot.

System

There is no way a freestanding chunk of concrete can ever be considered as an earth point.

If you are in a warehouse then at some point there has probably been electrics in there so you will need to investigate the building and find a suitable existing earth point to connect your earth system to.

As said, for outside then a proper earth spike hammered into the ground

Mankysteve

The wall of the building are properly earth or any of the plug socket or water and heating pipes.

Ruski

Just so you know: if you 'hammer in' the earth spike the full length you won't (ok, very very unlikely) be able to get it back out. So cost this into each job.
Also ensure you put the clamp on the rod before belting it in, they don't go on after mullering the top of the rod (said from bitter experience )

HTH

Russ

Ectophile

PHARR wrote: »

So a buzz bar in a concrete post wouldn't work? It's ok saying knock
It in the ground but sometimes we set up in big empty warehouses where's there's no earth accessible.

Thank you for your responses so far. Helping a lot.

In a warehouse, you're more likely to get an earth by sticking an alligator clip onto some structural steelwork.

A lump of concrete sitting on an insulating floor isn't an earth, however big it is.