My homes foundation was backfield with sand for water drainage.The 2 ground
rods are buried in this sand.Does this sand provide a good ground versus
buried in gravel? I think both rods are completely in the sand.

"JOE" wrote in message
m...
My homes foundation was backfield with sand for water drainage.The 2
ground rods are buried in this sand.Does this sand provide a good ground
versus buried in gravel? I think both rods are completely in the sand.


Sand is better conductor than gravel when wet. Sand and gravel by itself
(dry, that is) are excellent insulators, not good for ground. If you go to a
major electrical substation you often see gravel all around, especially
around the fence lines. Its a good insulation and could prevent you form
electrocuted.

Frank wrote in message
. ..

is better conductor than gravel when wet. Sand and gravel by itself
(dry, that is) are excellent insulators, not good for ground. If you go to
a major electrical substation you often see gravel all around, especially
around the fence lines. Its a good insulation and could prevent you form
electrocuted.

In most places gravel is placed instead of grass. There is very little
upkeep on it. Just squirt it with some roundup to keep the grass out.

It has nothing to do with insulation.

Ralph Mowery wrote:
Frank wrote in message
. ..
is better conductor than gravel when wet. Sand and gravel by itself
(dry, that is) are excellent insulators, not good for ground. If you go to
a major electrical substation you often see gravel all around, especially
around the fence lines. Its a good insulation and could prevent you form
electrocuted.

In most places gravel is placed instead of grass. There is very little
upkeep on it. Just squirt it with some roundup to keep the grass out.

It has nothing to do with insulation.

I never thought of this before but the gravel/insulation idea sounds
like it could very well be true. If they wanted minimum upkeep the
entire area would be on one single concrete slab, but they don't do
that. Inside the fenced area's you will find many different concrete
slabs with gravel in between them.

Check out the photos on this site.

http://www.fotosearch.com/photos-images/substation.html

Every one that shows the base has separate concrete slabs and gravel in
between. You can zoom in for some nice closeups. I learned something
new today. Thanks Frank!

Tony

"Ralph Mowery" wrote in message
m...

Frank wrote in message
. ..

is better conductor than gravel when wet. Sand and gravel by itself
(dry, that is) are excellent insulators, not good for ground. If you go
to a major electrical substation you often see gravel all around,
especially around the fence lines. Its a good insulation and could
prevent you form electrocuted.

In most places gravel is placed instead of grass. There is very little
upkeep on it. Just squirt it with some roundup to keep the grass out.

It has nothing to do with insulation.



Sure it does, just look up substation grounding, step and touch potential,
IEEE and other articles on grounding and gravel.