Counterfeit Ground Rods

[Bryan Holland]

Northbrook, Ill., USA – April 14, 2011: Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is notifying Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), electrical contractors, electricians and retailers that the ground rods identified below bear unauthorized UL Marks for the U.S. and Canada. These products have not been evaluated by UL to the applicable Standard for Safety for the U.S. and Canada and are not authorized to bear the UL Mark.

Name of Product: Ground Rod, Model 834 4X41

Number of Units: Unknown

Manufacturer: Unknown

Date of Manufacture: Unknown

Defect: The thickness of the copper plating for these ground rods does not comply with U.S. and Canadian Standards for Safety. It is unknown whether the ground rods are suitable to ensure an adequate ground path.

Identification: The ground rods are 3/4 inch in diameter and eight feet long. The ground rods are marked on one end of the rod with the following information:

834 cULus Listed 4X41

For photos of the product visit:

http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/corporate/newsroom/publicnotices/newsitem.jsp?cpath=%2Fglobal%2Feng%2Fcontent%2Fcorporate%2Fnewsroom%2Fpublicnotices%2Fdata%2Ful-warns-of-ground-rods-with-unauthorized-ul_20110414085700.xml

 

[jar546]

Did we not go through this once before?

 

[pwood]

bryan,

which end would you find that on? i sometimes find the top 2' laying in the bushes near the service during the green tag inspection:mrgreen:

 

[steveray]

are they coming from box stores or supply houses?

 

[Francis Vineyard]

In the brief time I've done electrical inspections I can recall one 3/4" dia. rod and that was galv., all the others have been 5/8" Would this observation be a quick suspect for counterfeit?

 

[RJJ]

Haven't seen one yet!