Was given this rod a few years back, it was sitting in the back of a garage. I noticed it was rusting away so I filed the end and side to reveal what I suspected.

I wonder how many people think they have a rod in the ground, when all they have is a pile of rust?

Earth spikes are typically copper plated only. Hammering a solid copper rod into the ground would be like forcing an earthworm back in its hole.

Edited July 12, 20233 yr by P1000

Well I live and learn, why bother going to the expense of copper plating though?

So what we're saying is that after a few months/years the are useless? 

53 minutes ago, Superfly said:

What? Have you cut through an earth rod to verify?

https://www.exoweld.co.za/lightning-protection/earth-rods/

Edited July 13, 20233 yr by PowerUser

11 hours ago, Zombie said:

So what we're saying is that after a few months they are useless? 

Exactly!

I changed your time frame for you.😁

14 hours ago, Zombie said:

So what we're saying is that after a few months/years the are useless? 

So strange things happen underground, which aren't always intuitive. In most cases it's an anaerobic environment, or if not it quickly becomes one if there is a process that consumes the oxygen - like the formation of metal-oxides. But I do not really know the answer to that question - I strongly suspect it does not become useless as in some parts of the world you have to have it tested every year in order to export. So if they did become useless, people would have caught on by now...

The rod if planted in magnesium sulfate, Epsom salts or Bentonite should last much longer than ordinary soil/clay.

The way I see it is that it makes no difference if the steel rusts away completely, as long as the copper sheath is still intact.  That after all is where the conduction takes place. the steel is just to be able to drive it into the ground.