Method for manufacturing an earth electrode

Abstract

 Earth connections are made up of earth electrodes having a standard length. The rods with such a standard length are joined together by coupling pieces. Earth electrodes are provided with a smooth copper cladding. In order to obtain a good electrical contact between the rods and coupling pieces an end portion of the rod is made conical, provided with a copper cladding and the cladding surface subsequently made smooth with the exception of the conical end portion. The fact that the conical end portion remains rough results in a good contact between rod and coupling piece.

Description

[0001] Earth electrodes are used at a determined standard length, for instance a metre and a half. The rods of such standard length are joined by means of cylindrical coupling members and knocked into the ground. In order to enable close-fitting placing of the earth electrode into the cylindrical coupling member the end portions take a conical form. When earth rods are provided by means of electrolysis with a copper cladding, the cladding surface is subsequently machined in order to obtain a smooth appearance.

[0002] It is the object of the invention to obtain rods as described which ensure a good electrical contact with the coupling piece.

[0003] Such rods are obtained using a method comprising the following steps of:

• machining a steel rod to obtain a conically tapering end portion,
• providing the rod with a copper cladding by means of an electrolytic process, and
• finally making smooth the surface of the cladding, with the exception of the conical end portion.

[0004] Because the conical end portion is not finished it remains rough. This ensures a very close contact between rod and coupling piece since the metal protrusions applied by means of electrolysis flow together when the rod is placed into the coupling. Smoothing the surface of the rod can take place for instance using a mechanical treatment.

[0005] The invention will be further elucidated with reference to the annexed drawing.

[0006] In the drawing:

figure 1 shows the shortening of a steel earth rod to the standard length;

figure 2 shows the end portions being made conical;

figure 3 shows the cladding of the earth rod with copper by means of electrolysis;

figure 4 shows the finishing of the clad rod; and

figure 5 shows the coupling of clad earth rods.

[0007] In figure 1 a rod 1 is shortened to standard length using for instance a tool 2 suitable for this purpose. The end portions are subsequently made conical in a suitable machine 3 as according to figure 2. In an electrolysis bath 4 (figure 3) the rod is provided with a non-ferrous cladding. The non-ferrous cladding, with the exception of the conical end portions, is then made smooth in a device 5 as according to figure 4. The earth rod is now ready for use and can be inserted with a conical end portion 6 into a coupling piece 7 with a cylindrical bore. As a result of the rough, non-finished clad surface of the end portion 6 a very intimate, electrically well conducting contact is obtained with the coupling piece 7.

Claims

1. Method for manufacturing an earth electrode comprising the following successive steps of:

- machining a steel rod to obtain a conically tapering end portion,

- providing the steel rod with a non-ferrous cladding by means of an electrolytic process, and

- finally making the surface of the cladding smooth with the exception of the conical end portion.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the cladding is made smooth using a mechanical treatment.

Drawing