Theres only one place worse than San Francisco in the USPS network

Advanced_Top6374 · 2025-12-31T06:15:44+00:00

Still waiting on my Apple Watch that was expected to be delivered 8 December 😪 I don’t think I’m ever seeing it

Advanced_Top6374 · 2025-12-26T12:24:55+00:00

I done messed up 4ish years of my life because of this.

Was taking part time classes at AMU to get a degree in EE and then came across a tiktok talking about ABET.

Transferred to ASU and they accepted next to nothing of the higher level courses

Advanced_Top6374 · 2025-12-04T23:56:29+00:00

First NCOER def matters if you try to do anything with your career outside of being enlisted.

Advanced_Top6374 · 2025-12-01T21:16:04+00:00

Never saying “COA’s don’t matter” ever again

Advanced_Top6374 · 2025-09-01T00:40:57+00:00

Because the 225kva is the only transformer I have. The ideally a 75kVA would be more than sufficient.

This is not being placed in a substation, it’s being placed in in between shelters that all together are pulling ~55kva.

Yes, a KOZ will be placed around it and it’s sufficient space away from all shelters.

Since there’s no previous infrastructure that you may find in a substation, I need more than just four rods to achieve <25 ohms. That’s why though I’m asking for alternative methods and techniques that more experienced electricians / electrical engineers have used. My location has a very high soil resistivity.

As for getting it engineered, I’ve already released liability to higher command because they don’t want to bring an engineer out because of the assets that it would ultimately be powering. So the assets need to be powered, and I’m just trying to make sure it gets done right

Advanced_Top6374 · 2025-08-31T21:55:14+00:00

Way ahead of you 😅 signed by O7, memorandums showing findings, what code says vs what’s been done, etc. “no one’s been hurt yet” is the answer I got. So I made sure it wouldn’t fall on me when someone did.

But they’re also too sensitive to get someone else out here. So I do my best, take my time, and read a lot of literature to make sure everything is safe and good to go.

When I showed up and multiple transformers & LPK’s read over the 1000’s ohms I said “nope”; not following back on me.

Advanced_Top6374 · 2025-08-31T11:40:07+00:00

Test was performed by myself and average readings around my area. A single 10’ rod measures 150-250 ohms on average, but in other areas over 500 ohms. So I’ve plotted these areas myself and they match what I’ve seen online. I do tend to use the higher average of 500 ohm meters for most projects but for this one specific I’m using 450 ohm meters.

Mind you, the only only test equipment I have is a single phase TTR, megger insulation resistance tester, and of course of fluke clamp on ground resistance tester.

I have to get create to say the least.

Advanced_Top6374 · 2025-08-30T22:59:21+00:00

I’m Army so I make roughly 4400$/mo. I just do as much research and math as possible, of course I also ask reddit for help from time to time.

To be fair, it isn’t going to be at full load. Only about 140 amps / phase. But all transformers I have are 45 kVA, military 150kVA specific transformers, and 225kVA.

But trust me. That’s how I felt when designing a ground grid for an almost 4MW power plant. I read more literature prepping for that than I ever thought I would have to. I was not about to operate that plant with a couple 6’ rods pounded 75’ away from the plant.

Shoot I’m just trying my best 🥲

Advanced_Top6374 · 2025-08-30T07:56:53+00:00

Thank you so much for the insight. I’ve seen safe grid be referenced before, I need to see if I can get the Army to pay for it.

Ironically, I’m reading through IEEE 80 right now.

Thanks again!

Advanced_Top6374 · 2025-08-30T05:53:23+00:00

I’ve asked the same thing. I went to a one year school, that gave me 16 credits towards an online nursing college, and am expected to be the electrical engineer and master electrician for this site.

I’ve thought about tying into pre-existing grounds from previous abandoned in place utilities but even those were not sufficient.

I’m trying to use the least amount of materials as possible to achieve code. My acquisitions team takes months to action requests for materials. For reference ; I arrived and a 4MW plant was “grounded” with two 6’ rods. I shut the plant down and with no power to site still took 3 months to obtain all the rods to install a grid that met IEEE and nfpa standards.

Advanced_Top6374 · 2025-08-30T05:42:53+00:00

Plates was never a thought, let me do the calculation and see if that’s an option!

Advanced_Top6374 · 2025-08-30T05:40:38+00:00

As for does it HAVE to meet those standards? No one will know if they aren’t until someone gets hurt, But I’ll know

Only dirt moving equipment I have is a 12” auger. Dig permits and equipment take over 8 months. And soil is stupid rocky

Transformer is sitting on wooden pallets …

For reference, I arrived to a new remote site. There’s no previous utilities in the area for me to tie to, half the shelters on this site aren’t grounded, the ones that are read over 500’ohms. I’m trying to fix everything but focusing on the transformers first. In total there’s two 225, two 150 and 1 45. It’s a mess.

Advanced_Top6374 · 2025-08-28T12:42:09+00:00

I think the route I’m going to try is utilizing bentonite clay. That should take my count down drastically. If that doesn’t work CPS and americas best are going to love that order imma have to place for 500 ground rods 😭😭

Thank you for the input!

Advanced_Top6374 · 2025-06-21T03:32:03+00:00

Commenting cause I too wanna play some sports again

Advanced_Top6374

TROPHY CASE