The ULAMEX Earthing Rod Connector is a galvanised steel cross clamp engineered for reliable, low-resistance connections between earthing rods, flat tape conductors, and round wire conductors in grounding and lightning protection systems. Manufactured to IEC 62561 standards, this connector ensures electrical continuity and mechanical integrity across the full service life of solar farm earthing networks, industrial grounding grids, and residential lightning protection installations.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | Steel, hot-dip galvanised |
| Clamp dimensions | 65 × 65 mm cross clamp |
| Standard | IEC 62561 (Lightning protection components) |
| Connection type | Rod-to-conductor, rod-to-rod, conductor-to-conductor |
| Conductor compatibility | Round wire 6–10 mm, flat tape 25×3 to 30×3.5 mm |
| Rod compatibility | Earth rods Ø 14–20 mm |
| Fastening | M8 / M10 bolts with spring washers |
| Corrosion protection | Hot-dip galvanised to EN ISO 1461 |
Installation
Position the earthing cross clamp at the junction point where the earthing rod meets the grounding conductor. The 65×65 mm body provides a generous contact surface that maximises the electrical contact area between the connected elements. Insert the earthing rod through the vertical channel and lay the flat tape or round wire conductor into the horizontal groove. Tighten the M8/M10 bolts to the manufacturer-specified torque — typically 15–20 Nm — ensuring both the rod and the conductor are firmly secured without deformation.
For buried connections, apply a layer of anti-corrosion compound over the completed joint to protect against soil moisture and aggressive ground chemistry. Where the connector is installed above ground on a building facade or inside an inspection chamber, the hot-dip galvanised finish provides decades of corrosion protection without supplementary treatment.
All connections should be tested with a ground resistance meter after installation. A properly torqued cross clamp achieves contact resistance below 0.01 Ω, meeting the IEC 62561 threshold for lightning protection conductors. Re-inspection intervals follow national lightning protection codes — typically every 1–4 years depending on the protection level.
Applications
- Solar farm earthing grids — connecting vertical earth rods to horizontal grounding conductors that run between PV mounting structures, inverters, and transformer stations
- Lightning protection systems — bonding down conductors to the earthing termination network as required by IEC 62305 and EN 62561
- Industrial grounding networks — joining earthing conductors in factories, substations, telecommunications towers, and data centres
- Residential grounding — connecting foundation earth electrodes to the main earthing bar in domestic electrical installations
- Cathodic protection systems — providing reliable connections between anodes and grounding infrastructure
Material & Corrosion Protection
The connector body is pressed from steel sheet and finished with a hot-dip galvanised coating conforming to EN ISO 1461. This zinc layer — typically 50–85 µm thick — provides both barrier protection and galvanic (sacrificial) protection at cut edges and bolt holes. In standard soil conditions (pH 5–9, resistivity above 25 Ω·m), the galvanised finish delivers a maintenance-free service life of 25+ years. In aggressive soils or high-salinity environments, supplement with petroleum-based wrapping tape or cold-applied bitumen coating.
The bolts and spring washers are likewise galvanised, ensuring consistent corrosion performance across the entire assembly. Unlike copper or brass clamps, the all-steel construction eliminates the risk of bimetallic corrosion when used with galvanised steel earth rods and galvanised tape conductors — the standard material combination in Central European grounding practice.
Compatibility
This earthing connector is designed to integrate with the broader ULAMEX solar farm infrastructure range:
- PV fasteners and grounding accessories
- PV mounting profiles — the earthing network bonds all metallic mounting structures to ground
- Fence posts and fence mesh — perimeter fencing often serves as the outer grounding conductor path in solar farm earthing designs
- Standard IEC 62561 earth rods (Ø 14–20 mm, galvanised or copper-coated)
- Flat tape conductors (25×3 mm, 30×3.5 mm galvanised steel)
- Round wire conductors (Ø 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm galvanised steel)
Why ULAMEX
ULAMEX supplies earthing and grounding components as part of a complete solar farm material package — from mounting profiles and module clamps to perimeter fencing systems and earthing hardware. Consolidating your procurement through a single B2B wholesaler reduces logistics complexity, eliminates multi-vendor coordination, and secures consistent material quality across every component of the installation. All products are stocked in our Central European warehouse for rapid dispatch across the EU.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use this connector with copper-coated earth rods?
- Yes, the clamp accepts both galvanised and copper-coated rods in the Ø 14–20 mm range. When mixing copper-coated rods with galvanised conductors, apply anti-corrosion compound at the connection to mitigate bimetallic corrosion.
- What torque should I apply?
- Tighten M8 bolts to 15 Nm and M10 bolts to 20 Nm. Use a calibrated torque wrench — over-tightening can deform the conductor and increase contact resistance.
- Is this connector approved for lightning protection?
- Yes, it conforms to IEC 62561, the international standard for lightning protection system components. It is suitable for all protection levels (I–IV) defined in IEC 62305.
- How many connectors per earth rod?
- Typically one connector per rod-to-conductor junction. A standard earth rod with a single horizontal conductor run requires one clamp; a cross-point where two conductors meet at a rod requires one cross clamp plus one additional parallel clamp.
Need earthing components for your solar farm or industrial project? Contact our sales team for wholesale quantities, technical datasheets, and delivery scheduling across Europe.