Ground rod question

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Subject Author Date
Ground rod question SteveB 05-01-2008
Posted by Vaughn Simon on May 1, 2008, 6:20 am
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> Today, a friend called me who was doing a project. They had a copper coated
> steel rod about 5/8" dia. that was to be used as a ground rod for electrical.
> They had no means of bending it, as it had to make a couple of three doglegs
> to get around concrete.

Usually done right on the job with a 1/2" "hickey bender". That is a manual
bender for 1/2" rigid conduit. Most construction electricians will have one on
their truck somewhere.

Vaughn



Posted by SteveB on May 2, 2008, 3:20 am
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>
>> Today, a friend called me who was doing a project. They had a copper
>> coated steel rod about 5/8" dia. that was to be used as a ground rod for
>> electrical. They had no means of bending it, as it had to make a couple
>> of three doglegs to get around concrete.
>
> Usually done right on the job with a 1/2" "hickey bender". That is a
> manual bender for 1/2" rigid conduit. Most construction electricians will
> have one on their truck somewhere.
>
> Vaughn

Saw a used one today at the pawn shop for $10. Is that a good price?
Looked new.

Steve



Posted by Jim on May 1, 2008, 9:02 am
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> I've read a lot about electrolytic removal of rust, and it seems pretty
> straightforward. This would be (?) a two step process. I'm going to
> Google up on it. Anyone ever try it?
>
> Steve

You would need a Solution 20-25% of Hydrofluoric acid (Nasty Stuff) 50%
Nitric acid, and 20-40 Volt, 1 Amp power supply.
Depending on time and current, you can get a nice copper coating on any
surface.
Google Hydrofluoric acid before you even try it. Not something you want to
get on any part of your body.
As Simon says, go with cold forming.

Jim



Posted by Grant Erwin on May 1, 2008, 9:46 am
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SteveB wrote:
> Today, a friend called me who was doing a project. They had a copper coated
> steel rod about 5/8" dia. that was to be used as a ground rod for
> electrical. They had no means of bending it, as it had to make a couple of
> three doglegs to get around concrete. I told him that heating it would melt
> the copper, and did not know if the inspector would pass it with the copper
> gone. He said that was what the inspector told him to do. We'll see. If
> it works, okay, if it doesn't, I'll set up a jig and bend it cold.
>
> Now to the point. As I heated the copper, I noticed a beautiful color
> change. Like peacock colors. Would it be possible to dissolve copper into
> a solution, possibly using acid or electrolysis, then have the copper be
> deposited on metal sheeting so that it could be heated again to get the
> iridescent hues?
>
> I've read a lot about electrolytic removal of rust, and it seems pretty
> straightforward. This would be (?) a two step process. I'm going to Google
> up on it. Anyone ever try it?
>
> Steve
>

It is trivial to get a strike coating of copper on steel. Just put the steel
into some copper sulfate (sulphate if you're British).

Grant

Posted by Jim Elbrecht on May 1, 2008, 9:53 am
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On Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:45:54 -0800, "SteveB"

-snip-
>Now to the point. As I heated the copper, I noticed a beautiful color
>change. Like peacock colors. Would it be possible to dissolve copper into
>a solution, possibly using acid or electrolysis, then have the copper be
>deposited on metal sheeting so that it could be heated again to get the
>iridescent hues?
-snip-

Problem is the colors aren't permanent. Here's a thread on heat
painting copper- [and attempts at preserving the colors]
http://www.metalartistforum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=124

And here's a Copper artist's site-
http://coppercolorist.com/

Beautiful stuff-

Jim

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