Copper Bonded Earth Rods

and Accessories

The connection you can count on

 PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories

Table of Contents

About Earth Rods 5

Types of earth rods 5
Steel core earth rods 5
Earth rod length is more important than diameter 6
Earth Rod length is more important than quantity 6
Electrical resistance 6

Earthing Basics 7
What is earthing? 7
The purpose of earthing 7
Good earthing requires low soil resistivity 7
The earth path 8
Factors affecting soil resistivity 8
Essential site testing 9

The Earthing Range 11

Non-Extendable Bonded Earth Rod – Domestic 11
Copper Bonded Earth Rod – Domestic and Commercial 11
Copper Bonded Earth Rod – Pointed 12
Copper Bonded Earth Rod – Threaded 12
Threaded Rod Couplers 12
Threaded Rod Driving Stud 12
Unthreaded Rod Couplers 12
STE Series Stainless Steel Clad Rods 13
Stainless Steel Earth Rod Accessories 13
Driving Points 13
Connection Boxes 14
Earthing Enhancement Compounds 14
Earth Rod Clamps 15
Earth Mats and Installation Kits 17
Earthing Bond 18
Tower Bond 18
Copper Clad Steel Wire Conductor 19
Earth Stubs 19
CEC Connectors 20
Exothermic Welding Connection 22
Airport Earthing Terminal 23
Methods of installing Earth Rods 23

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 PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories

PLP Australia
PLP (Preformed Line Products) is an Australian Inventiveness, integrity and foresight are the
manufacturing company that has been supplying foundations of PLP and the company continues
patented products to the electricity power utility, to improve power utility networks by creating
telecommunication, cable television and data and building innovative new products for the
network industries as well as specialised niche industries it serves.
markets for more than 50 years. PLP has an extensive product range and the
PLP is a designer, manufacturer and supplier ability to provide solutions from experienced
of high quality cable anchoring and control industry professionals to ensure the best
hardware systems for supporting, protecting, outcome for your project.
terminating and splicing transmission and PLP Australia has a dedicated team of on-site
distribution lines. customer service staff and industry experienced
Experienced engineers provide technical external sales professionals to assist customers.
support and inspection services comprising
in-depth data analysis from unmanned aerial
inspection vehicles for critical infrastructure.
About Earth Rods
Types of earth rods Steel core earth rods
At one time or another, all manner of conductor Electrically, a good earth rod should have a
materials and shapes have been installed in the low intrinsic resistance and be of sufficient
ground to provide an electrical earth. These cross-section to carry high currents without
materials range from cast iron plates, tubes, damage when required.
galvanised steel stakes, copper strip, metallic
Mechanically, its physical properties should exhibit
rod, wire and water pipe.
strength, have a rigid core for easy driving and be
Taking into account conductivity, high resistance of durable, corrosion resistant material.
to atmospheric corrosion and soil attack, ease and
PLP has extensive experience in the design and
economy of installation and overall reliability, the
production of a variety of copper and stainless
steel rod clad with either copper or stainless steel
steel earth rods for domestic, industrial and
has proven its superiority over all others.
substation applications.
The copper bonded steel rod is simple to install
The range includes the specially designed
and the connection to the earthing system is
extendable earth rods which may be joined end
easily made. The installation is readily accessible
to end to reach into the deeper levels of moist soil.
for inspection and testing.
With the use of deep driving techniques, extendable
earth rods have been developed to reach underlying
strata of low permanent resistivity unaffected by
seasonal drying.

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 PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories

Earth rod length is more important Electrical resistance

than diameter The depth to which an earth rod is driven into the
There is little advantage to be gained from earth has much more influence on its electrical
increasing the diameter of the earth rod to increase resistance characteristics than its diameter.
the surface area in contact with the soil. This is because it is not the actual area of contact
The usual practice is to select an earth rod with with the soil that counts, so much as the total
a diameter that will have enough strength to be resistance area of the sheath or shell surrounding
driven into the soil without bending or splitting. the earth rod.

Large diameter rods may be more difficult to drive The resistance of an earthing installation by an
into the earth than smaller diameter rods. earth rod is calculated according to the following
formula:
510mm 520mm 510mm
R = ρ ( ln ( 8L ) – 1 ) Ohms
250mm 250mm 250mm
2πL d

R = resistance of earth rod in Ohms

ρ = soil resistivity in Ohm metres
Where
L = length of earth rod in metres
d = diameter of earth rod in metres

20
Shell Area A Shell Area B
1.21m2 1.24m2
2.5% increase
15
Resistance in Ohms

Shell Area C
Earthing Basics
10
2.01m2
66% increase What is earthing? Good earthing requires low
Image 7
Earthing may be described as a system of electrical soil resistivity
5 connections to the general mass of earth. Soil resistivity is usually measured in Ohm metres,
one Ohm metre being the resistivity the soil has
Earth Rod length is more important The characteristic primarily determining the
0 effectiveness of an earth electrode is the resistance when it has a resistance of one Ohm between the
than quantity 1.5 3 4.5 6 opposite faces of a cube of soil having one metre
which it provides between the earthing system and
The combined resistance of parallel rods is a Length of electrode in metres sides.
the general mass of earth.
complex function involving the number of rods,
The other unit commonly used is the Ohm
rod diameter, rod length, rod separation, the Image 8
The purpose of earthing centimetre. To convert Ohm metres to Ohm
configuration of earth rods and soil resistivity.
The curve in Image 8 is based upon the above Earthing an electrical installation has two purposes: centimetres, multiply by 100.
In most cases, fewer rods coupled together for deep formula where the earth resistance using a 25mm
1. To provide protection for persons or animals Soil resistivity varies greatly from one location to
driving will achieve a lower resistance than the same diameter earth rod is plotted against its length for
against the danger of electric shock, and another. For example, soil around the banks of
number in parallel. soil having a resistivity of 10 Ohm metres.
2. To maintain the proper function of the electrical a river have a resistivity in the order of 1.5 Ohm
The earth rod spacing should not be less than the The curve shows a dramatic change when the metres. In the other extreme, dry sand in elevated
system.
earth rod length to avoid overlap of resistance areas. length of the earth rod is increased. areas can have values as high as 10,000 Ohm
This is because multiple earth rods, unless spaced metres.
well apart, do not follow the law of resistance in Note: If the diameter of the earth rod is halved
or doubled, the resistance is changed by 12.5%. The resistance of the earth path is determined by:
parallel as their earth conducting paths overlap.
1. The resistivity of the soil surrounding the
The installation of multiple earth rods at sufficient
earth rod,
distances apart takes up a large area, requires long
cabling and many connections that all add up to 2. Its contact resistance between the earth rod
higher costs in time, labour and equipment. and the surrounding soil, and
3. The resistance of the earth rod and connecting
conductors.

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 PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories

The earth path Factors affecting soil resistivity Essential site testing
When an electrical current passes into the soil from The factors affecting soil resistivity are: Every earth is an individual and the only way to Soil resistivity formula
a buried earth rod, it passes from a low resistance know that an earthing installation meets code The soil resistivity can be obtained from the
metal into an area of high resistance soil. Types of Soil requirements is to carry out proper resistance following formula:
measurements on site.
Images 1 and 2 below depict what happens
ρ = 2π a R (Ohm metres)
when a current flows from an earth rod into the There are a variety of test instruments available.
surrounding earth. The areas of resistance can be However, they can be generally categorised as ρ = apparent soil resistivity
described as being that of a number of sheaths of three-terminal or four-terminal test instruments. Where a = spacing of probes in metres
ever increasing diameters.
Measuring resistance R = resistance value in Ohms
Soil composition can be clay, gravel, loam, rock, Image 3 illustrates the test setup for measuring (as indicated on the tester)
sand, shale, silt or stones. In many locations soil the resistance in Ohms between the installed
can be quite homogeneous, while other locations earth rod and the general mass of earth. Refer to The resistivity at probe spacing ‘a’ metres and the
may be mixtures of these soil types in varying the instrument manufacturer’s manual on how to average resistivity to a depth of ‘a’ metres is a good
proportions. Very often soil composition is in layers carry out the test. As a general rule, the distance approximation for most circumstances.
or strata, and it is the resistance of the varying between the earth rod under test and the current Using the above formula, the soil resistivity versus
strata, especially at sub-soil level and lower where probe “C” is not less than 15 metres. depth profile can be drawn from Images 5 and 6.
the moisture content is not subject to drying out,
Image 1
that is important in securing a good electrical
earth. Refer Table 1 (page 6) for typical soil
resistivity values.

Climate
Obviously arid and good rainfall climates are at
opposite extremes for conditions of soil resistivity.

Image 2 Seasonal conditions

Image 3
The current path passes into the first sheath
immediately adjacent to the earth rod and then
Measuring soil relativity
into the second sheath which is of a larger cross-
Image 4 illustrates the simple test setup for Image 5
section with a greater area for current flow, and
measuring soil resistivity. The test results give a
therefore, of lower resistance than the first sheath.
resistivity profile of the earth beneath the surface.
And so on into a succession of sheaths or shells of
The effects of heat, moisture, drought and frost can
ever increasing area, and because of this, of ever A four-terminal instrument is required for soil
introduce wide variations in “normal” soil resistivity.
decreasing resistance. resistivity. The probes are installed in a straight line
Soil resistivity usually decreases with depth, and an
with an equal spacing and inserted to a depth of no
Eventually at a distance of three or four metres, the increase of only a few percent of moisture content
more than 20 metres. For example, for a spacing of
area of current dissipation becomes so large, and in a normally dry soil will markedly decrease soil
two metres the depth must be less than 100mm.
the current density so small, the resistance at this resistivity. Conversely, soil temperatures below
point is negligible. Measurements show that 90% freezing greatly increase soil resistivity, requiring Keeping the centre position the same, resistance
of the total resistance around an earth rod is within earth rods to be driven to even greater depths. See measurements are taken at increasing spacings.
a radius of three metres. Table 2 for variations of soil resistivity with moisture For example a = 2m, 3m, 4m, etc. Always ensure
content, and Table 3 for variations of soil resistivity that the spacing between individual test probes
However, it is this resistance at the interface
with temperature. are identical.
where the current leaves the earth rod and flows Image 6
into the main body of the earth that is important Other factors
and explains why soil resistivity tests are very The profile can be used to identify where low
Other soil properties conducive to low resistivity
necessary in order to secure lowest overall resistivity soil occurs so that appropriate installation
are chemical composition, soil ionisation, grain
resistance. techniques can be used. As the soil resistivity
distribution and homogeneous grain size.
decreases with depth, deep driving earth rods are
All these factors relate to the retention of soil recommended.
moisture, and provide good conditions for a closely
If the soil resistivity increases with depth, earth
packed soil and good contact with the earth rod.
rods should be installed in parallel to obtain a lower
In view of all the above factors, there is a large resistance reading. Best results are achieved when
variation of soil resistivity between different soil Image 4 the spacing of the parallel earth rods is greater
types and moisture contents. than their depth.

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 PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories

Table 1 – Resistivity values for several types of soils and water

Type of Soil or Water Typical Resistivity Ωm Usual Limit Ωm

Sea Water 2 0.1 to 10

Clay 40 8 to 70

Ground well and spring water 50 10 to 150

Clay and sand mixtures 100 4 to 300

Shale, slates, sandstone 120 10 to 1,000

Peat, loam and mud 150 5 to 250

Lake and brook water 250 100 to 400

Sand 2,000 200 to 3,000

Morane gravel 3,000 40 to 10,000

Ridge gravel 15,000 3,000 to 30,000

Solid granite 25,000 10,000 to 50,000

Ice 100,000 10,000 to 100,000

Table 2 – Variations of soil resistivity with moisture content

Typical Value of Resistivity Ωm
Moisture Content % of Weight
Clay mixed with sand Sand

0 10,000,000 –

2.5 1,500 3,000,000

5 430 50,000
The Earthing Range
10 185 2,100

15 105 630 Non-Extendable Bonded Earth Rod – Domestic

20 63 290
Each earth rod incorporates an integral driving point, machined (not ground)
to preserve the strength and rigidity of cold-drawn steel.
30 42 –
Part Number Description Pack Quantity

Table 3 – Variations of resistivity with temperature CBE-127-1400-DOM

Domestic earth rod assembly
10
(includes earthing clips and tags)
Temperature with a mix of sand and clay and
a moisture content of about 15% by weight.
Note: Non-extendable earth rods are
Temperature °C Typical Value of Resistivity Ωm supplied completed with rod and tag.
20° 72

10° 99

0° (Water) 138

0° (Ice) 300

-5° 790

-15° 3,300 Domestic Earth Rod Clip

Copper Bonded Earth Rod – Domestic and Commercial

The CBE Copper Bonded Earth Rod provides an effective solution for domestic as well as commercial
earthing applications.
Manufactured from low carbon high tensile steel with pure copper plating at >250 microns, molecularly
bonded onto the steel rod. All Copper Bonded Earth Rods supplied by PLP are tested in accordance
with IEC62561-2 : 2018.

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 PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories

Copper Bonded Earth Rod – Pointed STE Series Stainless Steel Clad Rods
Pack/ Bulk Pack/ Bulk
Rod Length 13mm Dia. 14mm Dia.
Quantity Quantity

1200 STE1312 10/500 STE1412 10/500

Rod Diameter mm Part Number Length mm 1440 STE1314 10/500 STE1415 10/500

12.7 CBE-127-1400 1400 1800 STE1318 5/500 STE1418 5/500

12.7 CBE-127-1800 1800 2400 STE1324 5/500 STE1424 5/500

14.2 CBE-142-1500 1500 3000 STE1330 1/50 STE1430 1/40

14.2 CBE-142-1800 1800

Stainless Steel Earth Rod Accessories
14.2 CBE-142-2400 2400
Coupling SCT13 10/100 SCT15 10/100
19 CBE-190-1800 1800
Point DPT12 50/200 DPT15 50/200
19 CBE-190-2400 2400
Star Point SDP12T 10/100 SDP15T 10/100
19 CBE-190-3000 3000

Driving Points
Copper Bonded Earth Rod – Threaded
Part Number Description

DPT12 Average Driving Point 13mm

DPT15 Average Driving Point 19mm

SDP12T Hard Driving Point 13mm

Rod Diameter mm Part Number Length mm
SDP15T Hard Driving Point 19mm
13 CBET-130-1400 1400

13 CBET-130-1800 1800
Stainless Steel
15 CBET-150-1800 1800 Clad Rod

15 CBET-150-2400 2400

15 CBET-150-3000 3000

19 CBET-190-1400 1400

19 CBET-190-1800 1800

19 CBET-190-3000 3000

Threaded Rod Couplers Unthreaded Rod Couplers

Rod Diameter mm Part Number Rod Diameter mm Part Number

13 CBET-130-COUPLER 12.7 CBE-127-COUPLER

15 CBET-150-COUPLER 14.2 CBE-142-COUPLER

19 CBET-190-COUPLER 19 CBE-190-COUPLER

Threaded Rod Driving Stud

Rod Diameter mm Part Number

13 DS-13

15 DS-15

19 DS-19

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 PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories

Connection Boxes Earth Rod Clamps

These enclosures provide a tidy means of protecting the connection of the main earth conductor to the Single Conductor – Parallel
earth rod. Manufactured from high strength aluminium alloy or polymer concrete, they are well suited to
The Pinch and U-Bolt clamps are simple, robust and have a ‘V’ groove in the casting
use in high traffic areas. Hinged covers allow easy access for inspection or testing.
to accommodate the earthing cable.
Material: Copper alloy casting, bronze set screw or stainless steel U-Bolt and nuts.

ERB1– Aluminium alloy casting ERB3 – Polymer concrete ERBP3 – Plastic

Type GRC5 Clamp 210

Part Number Material Dimensions Entry holes Load rating Conductor Size
ERB1 Aluminium 138 x 144 x 74mm 2 x 19mm 5000kg Part Number Pack Quantity Rod Diameter mm CSA mm2 Diameter mm
ERB3 Polymer Concrete 220 x 220 x 150 1 x 40mm Pedestrian GRC5 100 13 - 15 10 - 35 4.05 - 7.65
ERBP3 Plastic 300 x 300 x 207 Without Holes* 4000kg CLAMP 210 10/50 13 - 15 16 - 120 5.10 - 14.21
*Customer to drill holes EP1 40 17 - 19 16 - 120 5.10 - 14.21

Single Conductor – Versatile

The clamps are designed for either parallel or right angle connections.

Earthing Enhancement Compounds

Features
Stable, high conductivity providing long term low ground resistance.
High expansion, low shrink characteristics. Non-toxic, non-corrosive.
Packaging
20kg non-tear, plastic lined bags.

Installation Parallel Connection Right Angle Connection Right Angle Connection

1. Apply as a dry mix or pourable slurry. Material: High copper content alloy castings with stainless steel U-Bolt, spring washers and nuts.
2. Dry mix will yield a volume of approximately 0.0176m3
(roughly 57 bags to the cubic metre).
3. Slurry will yield a volume of approximately 0.030m3 when mixed
with 20 to 25 litres of water (roughly 33 bags to the cubic metre)

Description Composition Standard

EARTHRITE Bentonite, Gypsum, Sodium Sulphate N/A

EARTH5050 Calcium, Bentonite, Natural Gypsum Conforms to AS2239

Type GB1 Type GB2

Conductor Size

Part Number Pack Quantity Rod Diameter mm CSA mm 2

Diameter mm

GB1 25 13 - 19 16 - 35 5.1 - 7.7

GB2 20 13 - 19 50 - 120 8.9 - 14.2

GB3 10 13 - 19 150 - 185 15.7 - 17.6

EL21090 10 12 - 15 35 - 120 7.6 - 14.2

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 PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories

Multiple conductor installations for multi-conductor earthing Earth Mats and Installation Kits
For two earth conductors parallel to rod or two or three earth conductors at right angles to rod.
Material: High copper content alloy castings with stainless steel U-Bolt, spring washers and nuts.

Type EP3 Type ET1

Earth rod clamp configurations

Earth Mat

Earth Mat and Kit

Earth Mat Table

Part Number Material Size mm Mesh Size mm

Earthmat Galvanised Steel 1500 x 900 75 x 60

Earthmat-1 Galvanised Steel 2500 x 1200 75 x 50 x 5

Earthmat-2 Galvanised Steel 2500 x 1000 75 x 50 x 5

Earthmat-3 Galvanised Steel 1500 x 1000 75 x 50 x 5

Earthmat-4 Galvanised Steel 1800 x 1200 75 x 50 x 5

Note: Other sizes are available, please contact PLP.

Image No. 1 Image No. 2 Image No. 3
KITY Installation kit for type RDB rotary switches with earth switch.

Conductor Size

Part Number Pack Quantity Rod CSA mm2 Diameter mm No. Of Conductors Image No.

EP3 20 13 - 19 16 - 35 5.1 – 7.7 2 1

EP4 20 13 - 19 50 - 120 8.9 – 14.2 2 1

ET1 25 13 - 19 16 - 35 5.1 – 7.7 2 2

ET2 15 13 - 19 50 - 120 8.9 – 14.2 2 2

ET4 10 13 - 19 50 - 120 8.9 - 14.2 3 3

Earth Mat and Kit Earth Mat and Kit

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 PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories

Earthing Bond Copper Clad Steel Wire Conductor

For commercial earthing installations Copper Clad Steel (CCS) wire conductor comprises strands
of single copper clad steel wire.
The Earthing Bond system provides an earth connection welded to the
steel reinforcement, providing a stable and low resistance path to earth. CCS has the strength of steel and the conductivity and corrosion
resistance of copper. Other advantages include low density and
low cost.
The copper clad steel conductor is an excellent replacement
for traditional pure copper wire and there is also less theft as
the copper cannot be recovered by scrap dealers.
Copper Clad Steel Wire Conductor
Advantages of Copper Clad Steel Conductors
y Higher tensile strength than pure copper wire conductor
Earthing Bond Earthing Bond on Ribar y 13% lighter than pure copper wire conductor
y Less expensive than pure copper wire conductor
Earth Bond Assembly Table y Reduced incidence of copper theft
y Reduced production costs while ensuring the same quality
Bonding Length of Bonding Fault Rating kA Terminal Thread
Part Number Lug Diameter
Conductor mm2 Conductor for 1 Sec and Depth
Copper Clad Steel Stranded Conductor Table
C70 70 3m Ø12mm 5 M10 x 20mm
Part Number CSA mm2 Stranding Overall Diameter Weight (kg/km)
C70-1 70 1m Ø12mm 5 M10 x 20mm
CCS-19-70 70mm2 19/2.14mm 10.60 mm 550
C95 95 3m Ø16mm 8.5 M10 x 20mm
CCS-19-95 95mm 2
19/2.52mm 12.60 mm 766
C95-1 95 1m Ø16mm 8.5 M10 x 20mm
CCS-19-120 120mm 2
19/2.84mm 14.00 mm 980
C120 120 3m Ø20mm 10.5 M10 x 20mm

C120-1 120 1m Ø20mm 10.5 M10 x 20mm

Earth Stubs

Additional Products
Tower Bond
For bonding copper cables or wires to steel structures

Brass Earth Stubs

Earth Stubs Table

Part Number Length Diameter A/F Thread Depth Thread Size

Tower Earth Bond with Plate ESB-M12-1 80mm2 25mm 30 A/F 40mm M12

Material: High Grade Copper Alloy, Bolt: Stainless Steel – SS304 ESB-M16-120 120mm2 25mm 30 A/F 50mm M16

Tower Bond Table Other custom versions are available upon request.

Conductor Range Channel Thickness

Bolt Size Part Number
mm2 mm

16 – 35 10 M10 TEB1635

50 – 70 10 M10 TEB5070

95 – 120 10 M10 TEB95120

185 – 240 10 M10 TEB185240

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 PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories

CEC Connectors
A heavy duty compression connector for earth rods and conductors Installation Notes
y Standard “C” head compression tool of minimum 12 tonne capacity recommended
y Full compressive force of the tool is utilised as application is not limited by die halves meeting,
but the pressure release valve in the tool
y Regular use of a load test cell to check compression performance of the tool is recommended
CEC Connector Table
CEC 6 CEC070 CEC095
Die Set
Part Number Conductor Combination mm2 Profile
Part Number
PLP CEC connectors were specifically developed to dissipate surges of high fault current quickly and
35 35 DUOT C
effectively to limit any potential damage to equipment, and to safeguard personnel close
to that equipment. 50 35 DUOT C

Manufactured from pure wrought copper, the CEC connector is fitted by use of standard compression CEC070 50 50 DUOT C
tools to form a dependable, tamper-proof joint from conductor to earth rod or buried earthing cable. 70 50 DUOT C

Earthing Grid Applications 70 70 DUOT C

70 95 DU1315 C
CEC095
95 95 DU1315 C

95 120 DU1315 C
CEC120
120 120 DU1315 C

Tap Conductor Tap Conductor

Part Number Open Section Profile
Diameter mm mm2

CEC15035 8.4 25-40 6

CEC15070 Conductors 50- 11 50-70 6

120mm2 OR Earth
CEC15120 Rods 13-15mm dia 15 95-120 6

CEC15150 16.5 120-150 6

Die Set Part Number for “6 Profile” is DU1315

By joining two Compression Connectors with the same or different part numbers, various combinations
of conductor size and grid connections are possible. This enables a quick and economical assembly.
Features and benefits
y Simple installation – one crimp from a standard compression tool
y Connector design – current carrying capacity greater than that of the conductor
y Corrosion resistant - identical material to the conductor eliminates problems caused by electrolytic
corrosion and the corrosive effects to some soil
y Pre-coated with Coppalube – a specially formulated jointing compound heavily laden with copper
particles, to increase the mechanical and electrical integrity of the connection, exclude moisture and
resist rotation of the connector on the earth rod
y All weather application – this connector may be installed in damp or fire risk areas with no adverse
effects on the joint or the environment
y Easy identification – each CEC connector is clearly stamped with the appropriate catalogue number,
conductor size and installation die reference
y Individually packed – for cleanliness and ease of handling.

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 PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories

Exothermic Welding Connection Airport Earthing Terminal The Hand Held Hammer is an effective method for
Exothermic connections are the best bond for PLP supplies the Apliweld Secure+ exothermic
® most domestic installations. The earth rod should
Static electricity earthing terminals
copper and steel as they provide an irreversible system that uses a unique tablet format compound be driven lightly using a hammer of around 1.5 to
molecular bond that is far superior to any other for every weld type, eliminating the traditional 3 kgs, keeping the force of the blows axial to the
type of connection. multiple powders required for different welds. rod to obviate the risk of whipping.

Although the temperatures reached to achieve This unique tablet format also eliminates all A large number of comparatively light hammer
this weld are extremely high, the process is explosive and flammable materials, whilst the blows are more effective, and preferable, to
instant when compared to brazing, soldering robust electronic ignition with remote Bluetooth heavy blows which are destructive to the metal
and all types of mechanical connections. activation offers the user the safest exothermic and can cause deformation to the rod end as
welding system on the market. well as bending and possible splitting. The
Part Number: AET1918 (Surface)
Exothermic connections provide: fitting of a guide to the rod will assist rigidity and
Part Number: AET1918F (Flush)
y Permanent connection, unaltered throughout reduce whipping when the rod comes up against
the facility’s lifetime The standard length is 1800mm, other lengths are resistance to penetration.
available via special order.
y A cross-sectional area that in most cases The Mechanical Hammer can be one of three
is twice that of the conductors Type AET electrodes provide for the earthing of types, electric, pneumatic or petrol engine driven.
y A connection without contact pressures that airport tarmac areas where any generation of static These power operated aids are used when soil
tend to loosen and corrode over time electricity could be hazardous, i.e. aircraft refuelling, conditions are not suited to hand driving and when
servicing and cargo loading areas. The heavy duty long earth rods have to driven to great depths.
y High electrical current, equal to or higher
capping has a ribbed design affording a fast and
than the conductors. On short-circuit tests,
positive earthing connection by means of earth lead
the conductors melt before the exothermic
connector clips.
connection
y Capability to withstand repeated high electrical Material: Solid steel core overlaid with copper
currents without any wear or erosion bonding and a heavy bronze cap.
y Quick and easy visual inspection Installation Procedure: Drive electrode into
ground to required depth. Remove protruding
Exothermic connections are suitable
portion of rod above cap and finish flush.
for welding copper to: Apliweld® Secure+ is the safe, versatile
y Mild steel and reliable exothermic system for:
Methods of installing Earth Rods
y Stainless steel y Electrical systems earthing
Earth rods are installed by one of two methods.
y Copper clad steel y Busbar connections The rod can be driven into the ground by either
y Galvanised steel y Energy transport and communications a hand held hammer or mechanically operated
y Copper y Industrial equipment earthing hammer. However, where driving is difficult the
only option is to drill a hole to take the earth rod.
y Bronze Apliweld® Secure+ exothermic connections are:
y Brass Where holes are drilled, the gap between the
y Self-contained
earth rod and wall of the drilled hole is commonly
y Monel Metal y Use zero flammable and explosive materials filled with a water expanding compound such as
y Does not require flammable and explosive EARTHRITE. This is a mixture of Bentonite and Mechanical Hammer
gas cylinders Gypsum with a small amount of Sodium Sulphate
y Does not require external power source to reduce the resistivity of the backfill. Driving Method Precautions

Driving Methods Driving an earth rod with a mechanical hammer

Illustrated below are various types of connections used in earthing systems above and below ground. calls for special care to ensure the force of the
Earth rods up to 3m long can be driven
Contact PLP for more information. blows are axial to the rod. While it may be possible
satisfactorily in one length. Where rods have to be
to maintain this when manually using a light type
longer than 3m, it is preferable to use one of the
hammer such as an electric Kanga, it is certainly
PLP extendable series earth rods.
advisable to use rig mounting to ensure correct
There are a variety of methods for driving earth driving especially when it comes to driving the
rods into the ground from the simple hand held longer earth rods.
hammer to power operated mobile rigs. Their use
Very light and very heavy hammers with a long
is dictated by the nature of the soil and terrain,
stroke are not suited for earth rod driving. Medium
the length of drive needed to secure minimum
tools in the 7.5 to 12 kgs range with a stroke of
resistance, and the number of rods to be driven.
approximately 58 to 108mm delivering 2200 blows
per minute are ideal for normal applications.

22 www.plp.com/au www.plp.com/au 23
 PLP Copper Bonded Earth Rods and Accessories

190 Power Street

Glendenning NSW 2761
Australia
PO Box 626 St Marys
NSW 1790 Australia
BR0004_04 / 2022

Sales: 1300 550 322

Phone: +612 8805 0000
Fax: +612 8805 0090
www.plp.com/au

24 www.plp.com/au