Improved Grounding System for Mountain Top Radio Sites,
Abstract
In 1980, Warren R. Jones, IEEE, published a paper on the use of Bentonite (well drillers mud) when installing vertical ground rods. This concept has now been developed to use copper tubing in a lateral trench (radial type ground) that has been backfilled with layers of Bentonite. In the case of mountain top sites, it is usually possible, with machinery, to obtain a trench that is 200 mm (8 in.) to 600 mm (24 in.) deep. In fact, 32 sites in the Utah state radio system are now using this grounding method. Several of these sites are over 3460 M (11, 350 ft.) and are difficult to ground by any method, but during the past two summers, they have been successful in getting a backhoe and dry Bentonite to these locations. In addition to the radial ground, Metal Oxide Varistors (MOV), bipolar zeners and coax tees (with protectors) are used to complete the protective scheme.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADP002183
Entities
People
- L. B. Watts
Organizations
- Federal Emergency Management Agency