The Easiest Way To Drive Grounding Rods

As we upgrade our electrical system, we installed two grounding rods in just a few minutes each with no special tools. We also share why grounding rods are important and other system grounding considerations.
If you have any comments or questions, please leave them below, we'd love to see them.
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Пікірлер: 264

  • @Testing-123
    @Testing-12311 ай бұрын

    I watched an electrician do this with less than half a bottle of water on compacted dry soil in August. It was the most amazing thing to watch

  • @donoyama386
    @donoyama3862 жыл бұрын

    The technique of using the water was absolutely amazing. I bought an 8 foot grounding rod and tried this method. This method makes great sense and it really motivated me to try it. I made a note to time the installation and I buried the 8 foot grounding rod in 7 minutes. One of the best tips I've ever seen. Great video.

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glad it worked out for you Don.

  • @tylerdurdin8069

    @tylerdurdin8069

    Жыл бұрын

    Bullshit!

  • @alexzemaitis

    @alexzemaitis

    9 ай бұрын

    I live in a seconed story apartment. I made a home made canopy around my bed and idk if i should ground it outside theiugh the window or make a DIY outlet plug. Can you tell me exaclty step by step a list of what materials to get at home depot and how to install the ground or outlet and the safest way to go about doing it and where to put it? I'm new to this so it would really mean a lot. Thank you 🙏

  • @Inkling777
    @Inkling777 Жыл бұрын

    There is a simpler way. Dig a hole a foot or so deep and in circumference where you want to drive the rod and fill it with water. That will soften the soil and fill in around the rod. If you hit small rocks, as I did, you can move the rod from side to side in the softened soil to maneuver around them. Also, if you add epson salt to the water, that'll dramatically increase the soil's conductivity. A power company found epson salt tripled the conductivity.

  • @roberthaines8070

    @roberthaines8070

    Жыл бұрын

    Would epsom salt around the grounding rod corrode it prematurely?

  • @Matthias_Br

    @Matthias_Br

    Жыл бұрын

    Wouldn't epson salt destroy the bacteria in the soil?

  • @gg-gn3re

    @gg-gn3re

    11 ай бұрын

    ​@@roberthaines8070 epsom salt is magnesium & sulfur.. magnesium is used to protect copper, sulfur can cause discoloration so maybe. it likely won't do anything though, already plenty in most grounds

  • @alexzemaitis

    @alexzemaitis

    9 ай бұрын

    I live in a seconed story apartment. I made a home made canopy around my bed and idk if i should ground it outside theiugh the window or make a DIY outlet plug. Can you tell me exaclty step by step a list of what materials to get at home depot and how to install the ground or outlet and the safest way to go about doing it and where to put it? I'm new to this so it would really mean a lot. Thank you 🙏

  • @Honestandtruth

    @Honestandtruth

    9 ай бұрын

    Yes I Like your idea 💡😅👍

  • @garymilliken4435
    @garymilliken44352 жыл бұрын

    I don't normally comment on such things, but this worked so well I had to. Of course the conditions will determine success, but I just installed an 8' rod in about 15 minutes with nothing but water and the rod...my only deviation was to first dig about 2.5' with a post hole digger just to make sure I didn't run into anything else running through that area. Once I had that hole dug, just dumped in about a gallon of water and started working the rod down to the required depth...done.

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glad it worked well for you.

  • @alexzemaitis

    @alexzemaitis

    9 ай бұрын

    I live in a seconed story apartment. I made a home made canopy around my bed and idk if i should ground it outside theiugh the window or make a DIY outlet plug. Can you tell me exaclty step by step a list of what materials to get at home depot and how to install the ground or outlet and the safest way to go about doing it and where to put it? I'm new to this so it would really mean a lot. Thank you 🙏

  • @jgmopar
    @jgmopar7 ай бұрын

    Im back. I put my ground rod in this afternoon using this technique. I will say this is by far the best way I have tried so far. only took me 5 minutes around 2 feet down i hit some really tough dirt after that it went super smooth. Less water used than a hose and not as messy. great video.

  • @Timhuns1
    @Timhuns12 жыл бұрын

    WOW! Thanks for sharing this. I've got clay up here in Pennsylvania and decided to give it a shot. I got about 6 feet down using your method before I started hitting rocks. It took less than 10 minutes to go 6 feet and I didn't even break a sweat. Used a hammer for the last couple of feet and the job was done!

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    2 жыл бұрын

    You are absolutely welcome! Glad it was helpful and thanks for sharing your experience here!

  • @alexzemaitis

    @alexzemaitis

    9 ай бұрын

    I live in a seconed story apartment. I made a home made canopy around my bed and idk if i should ground it outside theiugh the window or make a DIY outlet plug. Can you tell me exaclty step by step a list of what materials to get at home depot and how to install the ground or outlet and the safest way to go about doing it and where to put it? I'm new to this so it would really mean a lot. Thank you 🙏

  • @JFM1170
    @JFM11702 жыл бұрын

    I have used this method and it works well just don't stop and take a break during the process it is very hard to get started again keep the rod moving until it is down as far as you want it.

  • @beehood5601
    @beehood5601 Жыл бұрын

    Your videos are very well presented, without a lot of extra words to add time. Your radiographer is super.

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks a lot!

  • @andrewlawrence9340
    @andrewlawrence934011 ай бұрын

    I cut the ground wire on one of my grounds and need a new rod. I thought I’d have to get an electrician but I’ll try this and should save a bundle. Thanks so much!

  • @michaelw7249
    @michaelw7249 Жыл бұрын

    I clicked on this just to see which kind of clamping you used and ended learning a much easier way to drive these. Thanks for the video and tip!

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    Жыл бұрын

    You're welcome!

  • @tylerdurdin8069

    @tylerdurdin8069

    Жыл бұрын

    Do not follow this advice. It is wrong and misinformation, shit that's right. I should report this video as misinformation and that's exactly what I'm going to do to save everyone from making the mistake of following any of this guys advice.

  • @Jkitty7599
    @Jkitty75992 жыл бұрын

    I gotta put in grounding rods now, definitely will try the water 💧 technique, but Tennessee soil is a whole different animal. 👌👍🤣

  • @stevenwatson2699

    @stevenwatson2699

    11 ай бұрын

    I tried using a pole driver and a sledge, it must be on a large rock, not moving very much at all.

  • @MickeyShermie
    @MickeyShermie Жыл бұрын

    WOW that's awesome!! Can't wait to try this method. Thanks for the tip

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    Жыл бұрын

    You are welcome!

  • @DevilsInBaggyPants1941
    @DevilsInBaggyPants1941 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the video, I’m need to put one in ground for my generator, and heard you could do it this way. I am going to try it, thanks again.

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    Жыл бұрын

    You are welcome! Good luck!

  • @josejopez
    @josejopez2 жыл бұрын

    Wow, that's impressive!

  • @rkgsd
    @rkgsd8 ай бұрын

    I didn't know about these long pieces of copper until I saw the electrician pounding one into the ground as part of the upgrade of the home's 60 year old electrical panel. I found it fascinating.

  • @Bugsworth
    @Bugsworth2 жыл бұрын

    Echo.. Very easy, a great tip. Thank you

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    2 жыл бұрын

    You're welcome!

  • @williamutsman579
    @williamutsman5792 жыл бұрын

    I run one down this morning. I used the water method until i was 36 inches above ground . I could not pull it out so i drove it in with a maul. Thanks for the tip.

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glad you found something that worked. Results may vary since the water method works best with clay or loose dirt soil.

  • @cgwworldministries83
    @cgwworldministries83 Жыл бұрын

    A trick of the trade is to coat the outside of the rod with patroleum jelly (vaseline) and use a wide mouth hammer drill to grip the top end of the rod, then let your hose run making the ground soaking wet and just press down and drill it into the ground and it will slide right down.

  • @JDubbsadventure
    @JDubbsadventure Жыл бұрын

    Worked like a charm, took me about 6 minutes to put a 8foot rod in using a water hose

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad it worked for you!

  • @RockyMTHirvi
    @RockyMTHirvi Жыл бұрын

    It's a very effective method. To see it done is very helpful. I have 2 gr rods to put in for grounding my Ham Radio equipment and antennas this week. I'll use this technique then. 2 questions suggestions. 1. Have you located underground hazards i.e. power line, gas line, cable before starting? That's very important. 2. Consider putting the sharpest point of the rod down. I think it'll go in even easier. Thanks

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi there. Yes, I highly recommend calling 811 so all of your utility companies will mark their lines for free. Also look for the likely path of any other hazards before digging. You're right that it is designed to go sharp end in first. I did one rod with each end to see if it mattered and it was pretty much the same. Thanks for the comments.

  • @alexzemaitis

    @alexzemaitis

    9 ай бұрын

    I live in a seconed story apartment. I made a home made canopy around my bed and idk if i should ground it outside theiugh the window or make a DIY outlet plug. Can you tell me exaclty step by step a list of what materials to get at home depot and how to install the ground or outlet and the safest way to go about doing it and where to put it? I'm new to this so it would really mean a lot. Thank you 🙏

  • @davidedwards7600
    @davidedwards76006 ай бұрын

    Ive been beating ground rods for years with drills and sledge hammers... definitely going to try this next one i do

  • @jab376
    @jab376 Жыл бұрын

    Waooo! You drove all of it in. What a nice tip.! 😮😮😮

  • @Aimsport-video
    @Aimsport-video2 жыл бұрын

    You only need water at the bottom. Topping it off makes for more splashes. Nice video.

  • @im2yys4u81
    @im2yys4u812 жыл бұрын

    Imagine how quickly it would have gone in had you inserted the pointed end first! Thanks for the video.

  • @hippo-potamus

    @hippo-potamus

    2 жыл бұрын

    haha I noticed that as well.

  • @bobwhite193

    @bobwhite193

    2 жыл бұрын

    Also Hydraulically cause the soil to separate. So a blunt end would be beneficial. Pile driver posts for wooden fence posts are driven blunt end first.

  • @Pairofshears

    @Pairofshears

    Жыл бұрын

    I'm guessing his rod is like the one I bought and both ends look the same with a rounded point.

  • @im2yys4u81

    @im2yys4u81

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Pairofshears Where did you buy it? I bought a pair from HD. One end was clearly pointed, but the other end was rounded. I think that's to keep from mushrooming the end that gets pounded on.

  • @Pairofshears

    @Pairofshears

    Жыл бұрын

    @@im2yys4u81 I got mine from Menards, both ends were identical with points, though the top end did flatten out pretty good after it was fully pounded in.

  • @ship-dittery2237
    @ship-dittery22372 жыл бұрын

    Great video, I'm going to see how it works on my rock pile

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    2 жыл бұрын

    Haha, probably not going to get too far through rocks, but let us know if you try it.

  • @jorgesilva8875
    @jorgesilva88752 ай бұрын

    Very helpful, thank you.

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    2 ай бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @ge45gecalled39
    @ge45gecalled39 Жыл бұрын

    very helpful, thank you

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @marine8347
    @marine83473 ай бұрын

    Very interesting, always room to learn and improve…👍🙏✅

  • @vovobillinbrazil
    @vovobillinbrazil8 ай бұрын

    Nice. One tip. There is a top and bottom (sort of) on the grounding rods. The tip you hammered on is semi-pointed that goes into the earth. It may have helped cut through with your procedure. I'll give this a go on my new construction.

  • @vovobillinbrazil

    @vovobillinbrazil

    8 ай бұрын

    By the way. I used the water/slamming by hand the rod into the ground yesterday. It worked like a charm. I did encounter rocks three times and had to begin again but...got em in.

  • @CynthiaNakaya
    @CynthiaNakaya Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video. I hope this works in the soil under my house. Need to put 2 grounding rods in (pool deck covers soil outside).

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the comment. Good luck!

  • @jgmopar
    @jgmopar7 ай бұрын

    Years ago, I had issues with a grounding rod. My friend's father made a tool to help. he had a pipe with threads to fit garden hose. he attached the garden hose turned on the water pretty slow and fed the pipe into the ground. He put the grounding rod inside the pipe then pulled the pipe out and the grounding rod stayed put. after a few days like you stated it was like cement. Since I don't have a pipe with threaded end I will do this technique to drive my grounding rod into the ground.

  • @pushingoffthefence
    @pushingoffthefence8 ай бұрын

    Wow. Great trick.

  • @chrisfrank8413
    @chrisfrank8413 Жыл бұрын

    Funny part was, you drove the flat hammer end into the soil, and hammered on the speared drive end. lol.

  • @nightone9720

    @nightone9720

    Жыл бұрын

    No he didn't. Ground rods are speared on both ends.

  • @TheWhatthefuck12

    @TheWhatthefuck12

    Жыл бұрын

    @@nightone9720 there was plenty of other funny things!!' lol

  • @chrisfrank8413

    @chrisfrank8413

    Жыл бұрын

    @@nightone9720 One end is steel, the sharper one, the other is copper and mushrooms as you pound on it. The more pointed end is the one that goes down.

  • @jakei8310

    @jakei8310

    Жыл бұрын

    One end is pointed.

  • @nightone9720

    @nightone9720

    Жыл бұрын

    @@jakei8310 every single ground rod I have ever bought at menards in kenosha Wisconsin has been ambidextrous in its pointed end. 🤷‍♂️ Maybe there are different brands our there that only have one pointed tip but I have never seen one.

  • @2point..0
    @2point..02 жыл бұрын

    Great TIP!!!

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @rupe53
    @rupe53 Жыл бұрын

    just wanted to point out that there's a cheap attachment available to use a hammer drill on this task. If you have a broken drill bit you can use that and guide it using a short piece of pipe to keep it on center. (keeps your fingers out of the way)

  • @AlvinMcManus
    @AlvinMcManus11 ай бұрын

    That was a lot of work! No clay here just gravely silty soil so I am going with the driving head on a my electric demo hammer and my son to run the hammer. Fun times.

  • @javieremilioliventmejia8977
    @javieremilioliventmejia8977 Жыл бұрын

    Amazing !!!

  • @angelmunoz501
    @angelmunoz501 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing this awesome trick. Today I had to rebuild a service and install two ground rods and I used a water hose to soak the hole. Took all the hard work out of it.

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    Жыл бұрын

    Great to hear! I'm glad it helped

  • @tylerdurdin8069

    @tylerdurdin8069

    Жыл бұрын

    It's not that hard to drive a rod in the ground. Why does everyone make this out like it's hard? BTW anyone qualified to "rebuild a service" would know that ground rods ain't that hard to drive save for extremely rocky ground in which case soaking the ground in water ain't going to help with shit and they would also know this guy drove the rod in upside down and a bunch (actually everything. Everything he did and said was just wrong) of other things but your just lapping praise his way... for what reason‽ I call bullshit. Bullshit on all of it unless you're honest but just don't know their shit either! Bullshit I say!

  • @actionjksn

    @actionjksn

    10 ай бұрын

    ​@@tylerdurdin8069I noticed you just like to criticize but you never offer any knowledge or information just criticism. I think you don't know shit and maybe you know a guy who knows some stuff.

  • @Nttt739
    @Nttt73929 күн бұрын

    Adding water great idea . The easiest way is a vibration driver. However, that is an expensive overkill route . Thus, bore small hole with shovel or whatever. Use your water technique. Use a post hole driver. Pointed end into earth. Should go in like butter .

  • @manuel509rios
    @manuel509rios2 жыл бұрын

    Used this method to drive to rods here in Arizona, took less than 7 minutes for both rods to be all the way down.

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    2 жыл бұрын

    Awesome glad to hear.

  • @shawnclough779
    @shawnclough779 Жыл бұрын

    Using the pointed end of the rod helps FYI. Otherwise cool way of driving rod without power tools

  • @saturninocodina5716
    @saturninocodina5716 Жыл бұрын

    I use an air hammer with 125 psi works like a champ

  • @rayfridley6649
    @rayfridley66499 ай бұрын

    The grounding rod is also needed for a land line telephone lightning arrestor, consisting of two capacitors, one connected to each side of the line, to the wire going to the rod.

  • @homecats1
    @homecats1 Жыл бұрын

    Get a bigger hammer. A 2-lb or 5-lb sledgehammer works much better. Also using your portable impact wrench saves a lot of effort as well. When burying the wire, always lay a piece of Red Danger tape over the wire first before covering.

  • @chhopraki
    @chhopraki Жыл бұрын

    Did you have that flipped?

  • @chrisfrank8413
    @chrisfrank8413 Жыл бұрын

    I just drove 2 8' Rods into dry hard earth, used a 4lb hand hammer to start the rod, got just over 1/3 in, and a Sledge to finish them up. rod will dance all over when you get to the sledge because you can't grip it anymore. works though.

  • @MegaRiffraff
    @MegaRiffraff Жыл бұрын

    I use a post driver , one like the farmers use to put steel post up , no water required.

  • @zaappp1588
    @zaappp158811 ай бұрын

    I'm thinking you could cut the bottom out of a 2 liter bottle or milk carton and place the top part of the bottle or carton over the hole to prevent most of the backsplash.

  • @richarda.valdes1197
    @richarda.valdes1197 Жыл бұрын

    Check your code book see if the grounding rod can be place horizontally when it can not be driven vertically

  • @johntucker2729
    @johntucker27292 жыл бұрын

    use the end with the point on it to go in the ground

  • @WX4CB
    @WX4CB Жыл бұрын

    done the same thing myself however i did notice you had the ground rod upside down @5:25 :D

  • @Ex-fk4nr
    @Ex-fk4nr4 ай бұрын

    I`ve seen some people dig a hole and use salt and carbon around the rod is it nessesary

  • @gordonpeirce5967
    @gordonpeirce5967 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the demonstration, great how long did you take to put the rod into the ground? Just a thought that you should not use grounding wire with a coating, or in conduit as the bare copper wire will add to improve your grounding system if the is contact with the earth and bare coppe wire.👍

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    Жыл бұрын

    Hello, The first one probably took less than 10 minutes. The one we did for the video took maybe 15-20 because of the talking. NEC 250.62 says "Conductors of the wire type shall be solid or stranded, insulated, covered, or bare." I would normally use a solid unsheathed cable, but the extra length and flexibility of a stranded cable was easier in my application. You would get a little bit more contact with the ground, but I wouldn't stress over the extra few % surface area in contact with ground. Thanks!

  • @mohankrishnasamy1456
    @mohankrishnasamy1456 Жыл бұрын

    You are my man. I'm am important 😌

  • @alexzemaitis
    @alexzemaitis9 ай бұрын

    I live in a seconed story apartment. I made a home made canopy around my bed and idk if i should ground it outside theiugh the window or make a DIY outlet plug. Can you tell me exaclty step by step a list of what materials to get at home depot and how to install the ground or outlet and the safest way to go about doing it and where to put it? I'm new to this so it would really mean a lot. Thank you 🙏

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    9 ай бұрын

    Hey there, I wouldn't plug a DIY contraption into an outlet. Why does the canopy need to be grounded; is it plugged in somehow? Running a separate ground line outside and attaching to a dedicated ground rod might be the safest route. Good luck and stay safe!

  • @rivernet62
    @rivernet622 жыл бұрын

    Best trick I’ve seen is to chuck it up into a hammer drill. Done in 5 minutes. I’d guess it would work well with your water trick too.

  • @veggiepowered
    @veggiepowered Жыл бұрын

    I'am Your Newest Subscriber I Need To Put A Copper Ground Rod In The Ground For My Base CB Antenna Here In Florida

  • @jimandrews2967
    @jimandrews29672 жыл бұрын

    I use my hammer drill to drive it in. Pointed end goes in first.

  • @potsandjacks
    @potsandjacks6 ай бұрын

    Why did you put the rod into the groud upside down?

  • @CaseDadToo
    @CaseDadToo9 ай бұрын

    I knew things were off when he started by tapping end of his upside down rod with a little 10oz claw hammer and the flat end sunk an inch or more into the ground? That rod could easily have been sunk with a 4lb hammer in less than 5 minutes, and I’m including rest breaks for him. His mud technique had to have taken more than an hour. Truly, incredibly soft and amazing soil.

  • @kyote1r77
    @kyote1r772 жыл бұрын

    Good video 👍, only recommendation is get some cheap steel boots incase of injury.

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    2 жыл бұрын

    Good idea.

  • @amandamayer6032
    @amandamayer603211 ай бұрын

    Do you have a video on how to tie into your electric panel?

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    10 ай бұрын

    Hello, We have an electric panel 101 video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aH-Gm7eNlbmuc5M.html The ground wire clamps directly to the ground bar.

  • @PanamaSticks
    @PanamaSticks Жыл бұрын

    So what happens if you hit a rock half the way down? My yard is loaded with rocks. Can I get it back out and move it to another location?

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    Жыл бұрын

    As long as you keep the rod moving, you can pull it all of the way out. If you let it sit for more than a few seconds, it will seize up making removal incredibly difficult.

  • @minnieh5149
    @minnieh5149 Жыл бұрын

    a question pls.Can someone get earthing from the wall instead of the ground?

  • @actionjksn

    @actionjksn

    10 ай бұрын

    No.

  • @DaveG-qd6ug
    @DaveG-qd6ug Жыл бұрын

    How did you get the wire through the wall to the electrical panel? My meter is locked so I do not have access to the existing opening. 🤔

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    Жыл бұрын

    Good question. I ran it into my crawlspace just like a typical non-metallic sheathed cable, then I used an existing opening in the brick left from the cable company. I took the opportunity to spray some foam to make the opening airtight. You can check out the shed video where I made a penetration in the brick for some conduit.

  • @DaveG-qd6ug

    @DaveG-qd6ug

    Жыл бұрын

    @@practicalhomeprojects thanks

  • @conchopete1789
    @conchopete17892 жыл бұрын

    I Thought the pointy end goes down

  • @HabibNO
    @HabibNO5 ай бұрын

    Clay is not a viscous material, it is a cohesive material. Anyway, you are right, water reduces the cohesion, and makes it easier to push the rod into the ground. but it sandy soil, this might not work in the same way.

  • @letsbuildsomethingNOW
    @letsbuildsomethingNOW2 ай бұрын

    If you own a SDS-Max Rotary Hammer drill get a ground rod driver and it's a piece of cake. (No water needed.) If not a fence post driver can make it a lot easier than using a hammer, for most of the length.

  • @Thafuface
    @Thafuface3 ай бұрын

    Hmmm Thanks a lot

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    Ай бұрын

    You are welcome!

  • @Thafuface

    @Thafuface

    Ай бұрын

    @@practicalhomeprojects Yeah your method made it so easy. Got that rod in in 10-15 mins. Thumbs up

  • @markg7963
    @markg7963 Жыл бұрын

    One thing to note. If you use this method, keep the rod moving. And once you get toward the end of the job and switch out to a hammer for the last part, you will not be able to continue the up and down motion, so your obligated to finish with a hammer or whatever ya got. Texas caliche soil at my house. Got both in about halfway, but then had to rent a Jack hammer and tip to finish them off. Even at that I was practically standing on the hammer and it went slow. I like the idea of digging a hole by hand down a ways to contain the water splashing. 2 more to do tomorrow and I’m gonna try this. What could go wrong?

  • @alexzemaitis

    @alexzemaitis

    9 ай бұрын

    I live in a seconed story apartment. I made a home made canopy around my bed and idk if i should ground it outside theiugh the window or make a DIY outlet plug. Can you tell me exaclty step by step a list of what materials to get at home depot and how to install the ground or outlet and the safest way to go about doing it and where to put it? I'm new to this so it would really mean a lot. Thank you 🙏

  • @TheShaggy1966
    @TheShaggy1966 Жыл бұрын

    I saw someone use a hammer drill with a deep socket on the end. It drove the rod completely in about 2 mins

  • @406j6
    @406j619 күн бұрын

    After grounding to rod can i connect directly to gas line

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    18 күн бұрын

    Hello, all metal gas and water lines should be grounded. Use approved grounding clamps.

  • @rickvia8435
    @rickvia84352 жыл бұрын

    Also be careful if you use conduit (EMT) to enclose the #4. it MUST BE bonded to the ground wire on both ends, otherwise you have a ground element (wire) surrounded by an electrical choke (the EMT). In the case of lightning, this can cause BAD stuff to come out of the ground.

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    2 жыл бұрын

    Good call Rick. Schedule 40 or 80 PVC is probably the easier way to go.

  • @dhelectricco

    @dhelectricco

    Жыл бұрын

    @@practicalhomeprojects to do it by the local code or utility regulations is the easy way to go. So much what you stated is wrong in your video

  • @sn3495

    @sn3495

    Жыл бұрын

    ​@@dhelectricco Hmmm... what else he said was wrong in your opinion?🤔

  • @tylerdurdin8069

    @tylerdurdin8069

    Жыл бұрын

    How so‽ I mean yeah I get sealing it at both ends but I don't get what that's got to do with lightning? You do it to keep moisture out of it as once it gets in there it won't come back out and it corrodes the wire, especially energized circuits. I don't have a clue what you're alleging happens with lightning in this situation.

  • @tylerdurdin8069

    @tylerdurdin8069

    Жыл бұрын

    ​@@sn3495 everything he did was wrong! Absolutely everything from putting the ground rod in upside down which definitely would make it hard as hell to drive and that hammer he used is only good for driving 1" finishing nails and that's about it. You are pissing in the wind with anything less than a sledge hammer or something with at least several pounds of mass. Remember pointy end down. This guy must have been wanting to repurpose his jacking ability or something and btw you can't use stranded wire or jacketed wire or anything other than a single piece of #6 or bigger solid strand copper wire with no breaks from your meter to all ground rods. Thats about universal everywhere. Stranded wire would corrode and become useless in no time flat and jacketed wire and conduit will just retain moisture and not release it causing corrosion on energized equipment. Also no other metals other than copper, everything must be copper because different metals contacting produces a voltage and causes corrosion. Hope this really helps you. If you hit rock and need to do something different drive the rods in at an angle up to 45° and if that don't work most regulations have another option of digging a trench usually between 24" and 36" deep and laying the rods 6' apart in it to be buried as a suitable grounding circuit in extremely rocky areas. Good luck

  • @bohenderson
    @bohenderson Жыл бұрын

    I would suggest opening a hole about 1 foot in diameter and 6 inches deep to contain and provide the water and prevent the splashing. Another idea that I had but have not yet tried is to use a hose over the ground rod so that water flows down the outside of the rod and then once it is down 8 feet, pull the hose off of the rod.

  • @actionjksn

    @actionjksn

    10 ай бұрын

    You're adding more complexity to something that works perfectly. Plus the hose is going to cause you to not have a snug fit between the Earth and the rod. You want maximum contact and the hose will prevent that.

  • @zerosparky9510
    @zerosparky95108 ай бұрын

    NEC. u don,t have to use over a #6 awg wire.

  • @BitMatt1
    @BitMatt12 жыл бұрын

    How about a post hole driver?

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    2 жыл бұрын

    I think that would work pretty well for most soil types. You'll have to use a hammer or something for the final 18 inches or so.

  • @richardprice5978

    @richardprice5978

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@practicalhomeprojects not in a gravel pit fyi tried it and failed miserably use a rock drill atp155 or sds max but the biggest one you can get

  • @russelltilley6308
    @russelltilley6308 Жыл бұрын

    Why are you using a framing hammer I always used a four pounder or 10 pound sledgehammer

  • @Honestandtruth
    @Honestandtruth9 ай бұрын

    It depends what Soil we have .... 8 feet Down into the Ground is no joke 😮😅

  • @eugenecbell
    @eugenecbell Жыл бұрын

    Is the pointy end supposed to be up or down?

  • @cgwworldministries83

    @cgwworldministries83

    Жыл бұрын

    no, it is suppose to be up so when you hit it with the hammer, it doesn't splinter

  • @eugenecbell

    @eugenecbell

    Жыл бұрын

    @@cgwworldministries83What is going to splinter, the rod, the hammer, or the Earth? I would think the pointy end should be down. Why as I wrong?

  • @k.b.tidwell

    @k.b.tidwell

    10 ай бұрын

    @@eugenecbellvery good question

  • @itzbishop5256
    @itzbishop5256 Жыл бұрын

    I’m surprised these grounding rods aren’t formed into a spiral shape like a drill bit so you can attach the top end to a drill and screw it into the ground

  • @rupe53

    @rupe53

    Жыл бұрын

    because they would break from the twisting. They are not that strong.

  • @dhelectricco

    @dhelectricco

    Жыл бұрын

    @@rupe53 they are extremely strong

  • @rupe53

    @rupe53

    Жыл бұрын

    @@dhelectricco ... I figure if they were meant to be screwed in place they would be made with a spiral. I haven't seen one of those yet.

  • @UltraNyan

    @UltraNyan

    Жыл бұрын

    There is a screw-on carbide bit you can attach to the tip and drive the rod in with a drill, aint terribly cheap but can drill through softer stone.

  • @cgwworldministries83

    @cgwworldministries83

    Жыл бұрын

    idk where you are shopping but you can get them spiralized and they come with a drill bit for a hammer drill and you just coat the outside with petroleum jelly and drive it into the ground, takes like 5 minutes and is less messy and WAY less work.

  • @rich1953
    @rich19532 жыл бұрын

    Shouldn't the pointed end be down?

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hey Richard. Good eye! Yeah I put one of the rods pointy end down and the other pointy end up just to see if it would make any difference. It took an extra minute or two, but it didn't seem to matter much.

  • @rigo6156

    @rigo6156

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes, and it makes a huge difference.

  • @rich1953

    @rich1953

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@practicalhomeprojects I will have to try this since I just installed a subpanel on my shed, thanks! PS I will try the point down method :-)

  • @edwardchance2543
    @edwardchance2543 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing subscribed

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the sub!

  • @dhelectricco
    @dhelectricco2 жыл бұрын

    Why would you use a regular hammer for a ground rod? [NO ONE uses a reg hammer] You are supposed to use a sledge hammer or a larger sized hammer drill. The rod is supposed to be tight in the ground to make contact, not a loose sloppy hole that you can slide the rod in & out by hand.

  • @Cam-wi3tp

    @Cam-wi3tp

    Жыл бұрын

    maybe you missed the part where he said as soon as the ground dries, it holds the rod like concrete?

  • @dhelectricco

    @dhelectricco

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Cam-wi3tp again, you don't use a regular hammer, only an idiot does that. I've been sinking ground rods for 40 years. and any times it rains it'll tighten and hold the rod, I'm talking about when it's first driven in. How many 8 or 10 foot ground rods have you driven in? I've driven thousands, and this isn't the way to correctly do it. This guy also has no clue wtf he's talking about with respect to what a ground rod is for & what does. He's an idiot. He'd be fired off my job just for being so stupid. lol

  • @dhelectricco

    @dhelectricco

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Cam-wi3tp he also drove the ground rod in upside down, again proving he's an idiot

  • @brandonm.4187
    @brandonm.4187 Жыл бұрын

    I use a 2ft masonry bit to get everything started and water for the rest. Takes about 5 minutes.

  • @vortexecho72
    @vortexecho72 Жыл бұрын

    Sorry but I have to ask. Is anyone else wondering if he hammered down those deck nails while he had the hammer out?

  • @youngkim8970
    @youngkim8970 Жыл бұрын

    The rod was up and down position, sharp side to bottom.

  • @j.d.1488
    @j.d.14889 ай бұрын

    Hammer drill with ground attachment. With water should be done in couple minutes.

  • @kookia213
    @kookia213 Жыл бұрын

    Is a grounding rod a special rod? Or plain construction steel road?

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    Жыл бұрын

    Hello, Your grounding system needs to satisfy NEC 250.53. It may be possible to DIY something, but almost everyone just buys a copper coated grounding rod like this one www.homedepot.com/p/ERICO-5-8-in-x-8-ft-Copper-Grounding-Bar-Rod-615880UPC/202195738.

  • @kookia213

    @kookia213

    Жыл бұрын

    @@practicalhomeprojects thank you!

  • @patricklouie7737
    @patricklouie77378 ай бұрын

    You Can get a attachment to your hammerdrill that drives the rod for you

  • @Yankee_Doodle_Stacker
    @Yankee_Doodle_Stacker5 ай бұрын

    Good way to make yourself part of the circuit if a common wire comes loose. That ground rod will cause you to fry instead of tripping a breaker. your ground should be your service ground and nothing else.

  • @matthewblankowski2265
    @matthewblankowski22652 жыл бұрын

    Thumbs up if you are an electrician that is pissed they hadn't watched this video a long time ago.

  • @gatsbylight4766
    @gatsbylight476611 ай бұрын

    _Ground rod: $18.99_ _New pants and shoes: $127.34_ _Watching a dude make his own mess which caused him to need new pants and shoes: _*_Priceless._*

  • @k.b.tidwell

    @k.b.tidwell

    10 ай бұрын

    I'd just wash the pants and shoes.

  • @luminousfractal420
    @luminousfractal420 Жыл бұрын

    Wonder if you cant just use a copper pipe filled with water

  • @zombeatle01

    @zombeatle01

    Жыл бұрын

    Some codes allow 3/4 inch copper or galvanized steel pipe - check local code

  • @anthonywilliams7052
    @anthonywilliams70525 ай бұрын

    Why not put a point on it since it's basically a giant nail?

  • @InspirationDose
    @InspirationDose5 ай бұрын

    😂 My man you’re putting the ground rod upside down and you’re making a bigger cavity sliding that thing in and out defying the hole purpose having good contact piercing the ground. Avoid making a mess by putting the ground rod the right side up and drive it down with a rotary hammer with the proper drill bit. his way the you’ll have the ground rod all the way inside in just a minute or 2.

  • @ardoinjc

    @ardoinjc

    Ай бұрын

    It has that taper on both ends and if you knew anything you would know this, but you don't. Sadly that fact wasn't enough to prevent you from letting us all know though.

  • @TikTok_Sucks

    @TikTok_Sucks

    Ай бұрын

    @@ardoinjc Not all ground rods have a point at both ends. The last few I installed were pointed at one end, and chamfered at the other. I suppose it depends on the manufacturer.

  • @MarikaMedia
    @MarikaMedia10 ай бұрын

    To drive things into my yard I use thick long nail with a hammer and then I drop it in.

  • @sloppydoggy9257
    @sloppydoggy9257 Жыл бұрын

    Thats not gonna work in my dirt we got the rocky hardpan with clay.

  • @benjaminjackson1959
    @benjaminjackson19592 жыл бұрын

    Or you could get a hammer drill.

  • @practicalhomeprojects

    @practicalhomeprojects

    2 жыл бұрын

    A rotary hammer drill is the option used by most professionals because it works no matter the soil type. A regular hammer drill isn't going to have enough power and may not have a non-rotation option.

  • @fleatactical7390
    @fleatactical73902 жыл бұрын

    Probably would have gone in even faster if you used the POINTED end....

  • @900stx7

    @900stx7

    7 ай бұрын

    It doesn't matter, the rod acts as a piston, pushing the water out, with the soil with it.

  • @fleatactical7390

    @fleatactical7390

    7 ай бұрын

    @@900stx7 Yes, but a point will further divide the soil, versus adding resistance, like a flat tip will.

  • @turbobird2000
    @turbobird20002 жыл бұрын

    I use a fence post driver/hammer….. 5 mins and done….