The recommended backfill for IONIC ELECTRODE
ground rods is Bentonite.
Bentonite is an earth clay natural formed by volcanic action;
it is composed of the Mineral montmorillontite, a hydrous aluminum silicate.
Bentonite has all the qualities of the ideal back fill for
Ground Rods. It is easy to prepare, non corrosive, and highly conductive. When
mixed with water it will absorb up to 13x its dry volume and it becomes a thick
paste. This consistency will stick to anything that it contacts. This consistence
helps hold the Ground Rod in place and physically insulates it from the surrounding
dirt.
In any and all environments Bentonite absorbs whatever moisture
is present into its structure and it will maintain its consistency. In direct
sunlight the top few inches will become hard and seal itself off, but the rest
of the Bentonite stays moist and conductive.
Bentonite has a resistivity of 2.5 ohms-M at 300% moisture.
This low resistance is a result of the electrolyte formed when water is added.
The water held in the Bentonite clay allows the minerals in the clay (soda, potash,
lime, magnesia and other material salts) to ionize. The result is a strong electrolyte
with a pH as high as 10.
One 50-lb. bag of Bentonite yields approximately enough
backfill for one 15' Ground Rod on a 6" diameter hole.
INSTALLATION OF A VERTICAL GROUND ROD
SITE
SELECTION
Rod may be installed indoors or outdoors.
Rod needs to be situated to allow breather holes
at the top of the rod to remain clear to the surrounding atmosphere.
Rod should be located as near to the Isolation
transformer as possible.
Rod should have a minimum of 5' clear space around
it.
Do Not locate Ground Rod near watershed where
flooding could occur.
SITE PREPARATION
Clear area to be drilled and designate area for
waste.
Auger a 6" hole into the earth 6" longer
than the length of the rod to be installed.
The top 10" of the shaft must be 12"
wide to accommodate the rod safety cover.
GROUND ROD PREPARATION
Unpack and inventory ground rod parts and dispose
of any waste.
Remove rod protective covers.
Clean threads on rods and coupler.
Spray threads with WD-40 type of lubricant, and
then assemble rods.
SYSTEM INSTALLATION
Prepare the BENTONITE soil conditioner.
Mix 4.5 parts water to one part BENTONITE. (
14 gallons for a 50lb bag)
Lower rod into shaft and center.
Fill shaft with BENTONITE slurry the consistency
of pancake batter.
Fill to within 6" of the top of the rod.
INSTALLATION OF A HORIZONTAL GROUND
ROD
SITE SELECTION
Rod may be installed indoors or outdoors
Rod needs to be situated to allow breather holes
at the top of the rod to remain clear to the surrounding atmosphere.
Rod should be located as near to the Isolation
transformer as possible.
Rod should have a minimum of 5' clear space around
it.
Do Not locate Ground Rod near watershed were
flooding could occur.
SITE PREPARATION
Dig trench into earth 3' deep and 12" wide
at bottom, designate area for storage dirt.
Trench should have slight slope (2" over
5') away from head of ground rod.
The top 10" of the shaft must be 12"
wide to accommodate the rod safety cover.
GROUND ROD PREPARATION
Unpack and inventory ground rod parts.
Remove rod protective covers.
Clean threads on rods and coupler.
Spray threads with WD-40 type of lubricant, and
then assemble rods.
SYSTEM INSTALLATION
Prepare the BENTONITE soil conditioner.
Mix 4.5 parts water to one part BENTONITE. (
14 gallons for a 50lb bag)
Cover Bottom of trench with BENTONITE slurry
the consistency of pancake batter.
Lower rod into trench and center.
Cover ground rod with the remaining BENTONITE
Backfill trench with original dirt leaving rods
vertical shaft exposed.
Fill BENTONITE in around vertical shaft to within
6" of the top of the rod.
Ground One AV, Inc.
PO BOX 2427
Guerneville CA 95446
707-869-0974
FAX: 707-869-1879
