Question on grounding methods in the roadway

**Willis2** · October 25th, 2010, 06:46 PM

I am relitively new to locating and was wondering what is the best method in which to ground the transmitter when in the roadway with no access to soil and a groundstake (ie. in the asphalt or concrete). Thanks.

**Inspired** · October 25th, 2010, 06:59 PM

This probably dumb to respond since I'm a newb here, too. But, I have a roll of soft 14ga wire I use to extend the reach of my "transmitter" to the ground stake or to the line I'm tracing. Just a suggestion. I'll wait and see what the real locators post.

**TheCableVine** · October 25th, 2010, 07:23 PM

Sounds like a real locator responded.

**sprayandpray** · October 25th, 2010, 07:50 PM

ditto.

**ifinditunderground** · October 25th, 2010, 08:12 PM

What are you hooking to? What surface features are surrounding your hookup point? What utility are you trying to send your signal into? Or, is this just a general question?

Yes, the real locator has arrived.

LMAO! Take that Yahoo.
Now where did I put that valid dig ticket??

**yahoo** · October 25th, 2010, 08:29 PM

as Ifindit.. asked I would have to wonder the same thing?????

Originally Posted by ifinditunderground

What are you hooking to? What surface features are surrounding your hookup point? What utility are you trying to send your signal into? Or, is this just a general question?

Yes, the real locator has arrived.

LMAO! Take that Yahoo.
Now where did I put that valid dig ticket??

**Goldenboy** · October 25th, 2010, 09:34 PM

I first look for cracks in the asphalt or concrete. Anywhere you see a weed poking through you can normally squeeze a screwdriver in for a ground. Alot of the time if the access point is a gas riser or transformer next to a commercial building you can find a void in the concrete or asphalt where it meets the building. If no cracks around I use an extension lead like Inspired stated.

**Willis2** · October 25th, 2010, 10:03 PM

I would be hooking onto a water utility with a vault containing the pipeline- usually filled with water-that I put one lead into and need to find a ground (Preferably one that does not cross over multiple utilities as would be the case if running a ground wire to the parkway).

**orangeboots** · October 25th, 2010, 10:19 PM

hooking to a tracer wire or to the pipe/valve itself sometimes you can hook to the flange on the rim on the manhole

**TheCableVine** · October 25th, 2010, 10:47 PM

I've run into this myself. Trying to locate a gas service on the side of a school surrounded by asphalt as far as your leads can reach.

Cracks in the asphalt are great points for grounding. The gas meter itself if the service is plastic and the tracer wire is sticking up. But, a steel gas service has no trace so you must scrounge for a ground. Sometimes the service will have a guard around it that you can scrape a bit of paint off of to gain a ground. If worse comes to absolute worse, pour water on the asphalt til you have a puddle and then lay your ground rod in the puddle (with lead attached of course) and you should have a decent ground.

**1idejim** · October 25th, 2010, 11:24 PM

linerider uses an extension cord with clamps on the ends, i stole his idea and instead made adapters for the extension cord. i can carry a couple of adapters and add as many cords as i need to get to dirt.

if i don't have enough cord to reach and the other suggested methods can't be applied, i just go surfing.

**4Q2** · October 26th, 2010, 01:51 AM

"They paved paradise and put up a parking lot"
Joni Mitchell

Welcome Willy! I'm currently on the RED STRIPE list in this forum. I'm OK with it because I like Red Stripe beer and it kind of matches my pretty face on my avatar! But that doesn't mean I don't know a thing or two about locating. I locate in a state that probably has more pavement than any other. Here's two simple tricks I use for grounding through pavement and winter frozen ground conditions:

I have an old cordless hammer drill I keep in my truck with a long 3/16" masonry bit and drill though the pavement or frozen ground. No ground rod necessary, just hook your ground lead to the bit and go.

The second trick that you should never admit to using is for working in roadways. Some people claim it's not a valid hookup and won't work but fact is it has worked for me. Just pull your truck up to the manhole or vault, turn on your beacon, turn off your truck, hook your ground to the vehicle frame and go. The mass of the truck should provide enough ground. This also helps out with traffic control. Great for short mark outs, just watch you don't drain your battery.

**ifinditunderground** · October 26th, 2010, 09:18 AM

If the vault has water in it......just drop your ground lead into the water. or hook to the metal rim as someone else suggested.

**Turk182** · October 26th, 2010, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by Goldenboy

I first look for cracks in the asphalt or concrete. Anywhere you see a weed poking through you can normally squeeze a screwdriver in for a ground. Alot of the time if the access point is a gas riser or transformer next to a commercial building you can find a void in the concrete or asphalt where it meets the building. If no cracks around I use an extension lead like Inspired stated.

If there is a crack in the asphalt my ground pounder will get through, though it takes a little effort sometimes, the same goes for concrete.

**FiosKing** · October 26th, 2010, 05:56 PM

this is neat i never know that, but how in the world would it work with no metel touching the ground? thanks for the input

Originally Posted by 4Q2

"They paved paradise and put up a parking lot"
Joni Mitchell

Welcome Willy! I'm currently on the RED STRIPE list in this forum. I'm OK with it because I like Red Stripe beer and it kind of matches my pretty face on my avatar! But that doesn't mean I don't know a thing or two about locating. I locate in a state that probably has more pavement than any other. Here's two simple tricks I use for grounding through pavement and winter frozen ground conditions:

I have an old cordless hammer drill I keep in my truck with a long 3/16" masonry bit and drill though the pavement or frozen ground. No ground rod necessary, just hook your ground lead to the bit and go.

The second trick that you should never admit to using is for working in roadways. Some people claim it's not a valid hookup and won't work but fact is it has worked for me. Just pull your truck up to the manhole or vault, turn on your beacon, turn off your truck, hook your ground to the vehicle frame and go. The mass of the truck should provide enough ground. This also helps out with traffic control. Great for short mark outs, just watch you don't drain your battery.