Electric question

[big boots mcghee]

Just a couple electric questions about ground rods. Is there ever a scenario where it would be an emergency to install a ground rod at the base of a pole? Is there ever a scenario where it would be an emergency to install a ground rod at the base of multiple poles on the same block?

I'm asking because the electric company out here is making a habit of calling in emergencies for this type of work and in the ten years I've been doing this I can't come up with a valid reason for it to be an emergency, aside from extreme circumstances. In my mind it's just someone's lack of planning for these to be getting called in as anything other than normal notice work.

[AULupstate]

I don't know if it would be technically an emergency but having the ground rods definately helps against lightning strikes. That is something that should be placed while intalling of said poles (one would think).

[Bubba]

Don't see why this would constitute as an emergency or why they are putting ground rods at the base of a pole. Most of the poles I have seen have a copper ground running the entire length of the pole to the base which is a few feet underground. Sounds like BS to me.

[phoenix827]

I got one a few weeks ago, I get out there, no-one on site, no premarks and find one of the new phone boxes hanging off the pole 1/2 hooked up. Coincidence? (ratty old pole too! lol)

[Goldenboy]

So when you go back to these are there new poles there or did they actually install ground rods? I know the grounds are important but all the electric works downtown and the bums have taken all the copper ground wires so the ground rods are doing nothing. If it was an emergency I'd get one for every pole downtown.

[sprayandpray]

I would rank this up there with Emergency fence tickets, drop burying tickets and Utiliquest's emergency gas line exposures. And my newest favorite is an Emergency Tel repair ticket stating customer w/out service. When we arrived a 200 pr feeding a building , still under construction, was cut in two. Further investigation showed that this cable had been cut around the middle of November-2 months prior to the "Emergency". All in all, I find it is the Utility Companies, or their contractors, who abuse this more than anyone else.

[yahoo]

are we talking about an actual ground rod or a stablizer rod???? well to answer the question ...i have never had either called in as an emergency!!!!! to me ..it has no reason to be called in as an emergency.....as a matter of fact...here in my state one call will not let power company's call in to set a pole as an emergency.....!!! every now and them some get away with it though!!!

[headcipher]

are we talking about an actual ground rod or a stablizer rod???? well to answer the question ...i have never had either called in as an emergency!!!!! to me ..it has no reason to be called in as an emergency.....as a matter of fact...here in my state one call will not let power company's call in to set a pole as an emergency.....!!! every now and them some get away with it though!!!

They don't consider a broken pole in need of replacing an emergency?
Somebody's smoking crack!
Not only is there a chance that multiple residences will be out of service, there's a huge safety risk if a live line comes down.
If that's really the policy, someone sure is doing a great job!

[big boots mcghee]

are we talking about an actual ground rod or a stablizer rod???? well to answer the question ...i have never had either called in as an emergency!!!!! to me ..it has no reason to be called in as an emergency.....as a matter of fact...here in my state one call will not let power company's call in to set a pole as an emergency.....!!! every now and them some get away with it though!!!

It was for actual ground rod installs. The copper wire coming down the pole was attached to the newly pounded ground rod right next to the pole.

If it had been for pole bracing or stabilizing I could see how that could warrant being an emergency. In some circumstances a pole could be severely leaning and require immediate attention. But in this case the contractor called in five separate emergencies for ground rod installations at five separate pole locations, none of which warranted an emergency response, unless someone's lack of planning is now means for an emergency, any time. I've always loved the quote "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine." It applies so often in this industry.

[MIG4000]

It was for actual ground rod installs. The copper wire coming down the pole was attached to the newly pounded ground rod right next to the pole.

If it had been for pole bracing or stabilizing I could see how that could warrant being an emergency. In some circumstances a pole could be severely leaning and require immediate attention. But in this case the contractor called in five separate emergencies for ground rod installations at five separate pole locations, none of which warranted an emergency response, unless someone's lack of planning is now means for an emergency, any time. I've always loved the quote "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine." It applies so often in this industry.

Last summer the local power company had the same work type (7/8 tickets, 7/8 poles) but were called in as regular tickets, 2nd and 3rd request (not in a rush at all) finally they got them done. When asked the crew they said they had to installed 3 ea. 10 ft. ground rods back to back due to the type of soil (sand/beach). In u-r case 100% . Not the brightest crayon in the box

[TechMaster]

Never heard of ground rods just all of a sudden being needed. These are placed when the pole was first put up. Only pole Emer. I had evre recieved were for a car hitting one and it needing to be replaced.