Earth Rod

Bawnmore

We're looking at installing an EV charger at the moment and one of the questions we're being asked is if we have an earth rod. After a quick search, it appears in most cases, this would usually be outside, down from the meter cabinet and have a green or galvanised lid. We have nothing that matches that description. House was built in 1970 - would they have been common then?

There is however an unidentified object outside our back door right under the meter with a wire running down the house and then disappears behind the path. Is it possible this is it and it's been covered over with.......something

AmpMan

Hang on, I'll just remove the something via the internet and see what's under it.

Bawnmore

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121458188#Comment_121458188

That's obviously a fair point - I'm just trying to gauge the likelihood of it possibly being it, given it matches the typical location and we have no idea what it might be otherwise.

tom1ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058325794/earth-rod

looks like a lump of denso tape.

From the picture it looks like you have a wire thats painted white coming down the wall towards the concrete?

Kimbot

Your best best is try moving some of those loose pebbles and see if you can expose whats there a little, you might see the cable attached to the rod etc to clarify

Bawnmore

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121458243#Comment_121458243

Correct - there's a wire that runs from where the meter box is (in the kitchen above the back door), down the wall externally and then behind the concrete path. There's nothing electric out there otherwise, leading me to think it might be it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121458246#Comment_121458246

Thanks - I might give that a try.

tom1ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121458503#Comment_121458503

theres a good chance that wire is connected to the earth rod via a crosbie clip and covered with denso tape.

Again hard to tell without being there.

standardg60

Grew up in a seventies built house and the earth rods were all exposed sticking out of the ground like that, there certainly were no boxes covering them.

Looks like yours was added at a later date, but certainly looks like that's what it is.

Bawnmore

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121472503#Comment_121472503

Appreciate it - sounds like it's likely them alright.

Bawnmore

Just in case anyone else has any weird stumps at the back door - it was an earth rod in the end.

meercat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121730185#Comment_121730185

Even though that is your earth rod I’d be surprised if it was acceptable. It’s unlikely to be 10mm cable and there’s no inspection box or Denzo tape. If it’s a 1970s house then I’d say the main cable isn’t 16mm either.