I want to, again, thank everyone for their participation -- and your kind words! With my threads it's not my purpose to preach or to brag. I post these topics as a way to invite discussion. Far to many forums stifle intelligent, respectful discussion, with comments too often limited to either "Here's how it's done" or "the code says . . . " Far too many comments sound, to my ears, like they come from an easy chair that has never seen a rainy day in the mud of a job site.
Let's look at the "official" connector and its use in more detail: -- As mentioned, supply houses in the Mid-South have been unable, or unwilling, to obtain them. I just didn't have time for an internet order. While PVC might have worked, a look at routing of the pipe suggested to me that the exposed PVC would not survive long. I wasn't willing to either cut up the concrete slab or speculate as to the location of the foundation footings. -- The "official" fitting is sized for 1/2" pipe. Only today, looing deep into the catalog, did I learn it's also made with a 3/4" hub. Ever try pushing #4 solid through bent pipe? I bet you quickly decide to violate the code requirement to "complete the pipe THEN pull in the wire, and instead put the wire in the straight pipe and bend it later!
-- Again, looking at the spec sheet, I discover bothersome detail: the connector with the 1/2" hub is designed for wire no larger than #6 solid. Well, that might explain some of the troubles I've had mounting #4! As designed, the wire is supposed to go under a brass fender washer and wrap around a screw, coming to rest in a nice circular groove. The only way I've been able to do that with #4 is to heat the wire with a torch, bend it, then trim off the tail. Then I find it necessary to replace the provided screw with a slightly longer one and re-assemble. -- Note that the "official" connector comes with zinc plated steel screws. The spec sheet makes no reference to direct burial. -- As a final note, the "official" connector does not lend itself to having the wire pass through and on to a second rod. (Erico, are you listening?)
