NATIONAL FOUNDRY CONCAVE DISH ELECTRIC ANCHOR

 Introduction

Eye:
The making, shaping, and treating of steel for the manufacturing of the National Foundry electric eye is poured in-house to meet U. S. 1040 standards.  Our Spectrolab facilities verify that these standards and codes are met.  The eyes can be obtained for the application required for either 1, 2, or 3 strands as specified by the user.  The threads on the eye vary as to the size of rod used.  These threads are made according to National Course specifications.  The eyes are coated with electric orange epoxy coating for maximum weather protection.  They are also protected with a padded bag to prevent scuffing during shipping and delivery.

Rod:
National Foundry’s anchor rod has the chemical analysis:  U. S. ASTM A36 certified steel.  The rods vary in size and length according to users needs.  One end of the rod is either threaded for the screw-on eye or welded for the weld-on eye according to clients required specifications.  The opposite end of the rod is threaded National Course.  The anchor rod between the threads is covered by a plastic rod sleeve for cathodic protection against electrolysis, rust, and corrosion deterioration.  It then slips through the guide that is welded on to the National Foundry concave dish anchor plate and plastic washer.  Then it is threaded into the coupling nut that holds the unit in place.

Dish:
The National Foundry concave dish electrical anchor bottom consists of U. S. A36 steel.  The circumference and thickness gauge of the dish varies in size according to the application requirements.  A pipe guide is welded on to the center of the anchor plate to facilitate the anchor rod in penetrating correctly through the plate onto the plastic washer and coupling nut, holding the plate on to the rod.  The concave dish is then coated with a mastic coating.  The design of the concave dish anchor plate is to obtain maximum holding power per cubic inch of soil compressed above it.

Washer:
A plastic isolator washer is used between the plate and nut to isolate the electric current flowing from the eye to the ground.  The plastic isolator washer is either made of black plastic nylon for the use with smaller anchor rods, or high impact polystyrene for the high-line anchor rods.  In each case the surface area of the washer is two-and-half (2 1/2) times larger than the inside diameter, and is 5/8’ thick.

Nut:
The heavy cast coupling steel nut at the end of the anchor rod is manufactured at National Foundry of U. S. 1040 steel.  They are then tapped and threaded National Course with the depth of threads to be twice the diameter of the rod to be used.  They are then coated with an electric orange epoxy coating for maximum protection.

Installation:
Suggested installation of the National Foundry concave dish electric anchor for optimum holding capacity is to install the anchors at a 90 degree vertical angle, since the weakest area on any anchor rod is the threads.  This allows for more of the tension strength to come from the rod rather that just the threads.  The maximum advantage of installing this anchor in a 90 degree vertical angle is you set a cylinder effect where you have more compressed soil weight per cubic inch from the plate to the top of the soil, thus giving is maximum holding power.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

IS INSTALLATION EASY FOR THE NATIONAL FOUNDRY CONCAVE DISH ELECTRIC ANCHOR?

Most utility poles are installed after a 16” hole has been “augered”, after which another hole can be conveniently “augered” for our drop-in anchor, this eliminating extra time and expense.

IS THE DROP-IN ANCHOR CHEAPER?
Typically the drop-in anchor is slightly higher in price, but generally lasts three (3) times as long.  It eliminates the reinstallation costs ($200.00+) of other anchors that are not as insulated for long life as our drop-in anchors.

IS OUR ANCHOR CATHODICALLY PROTECTED?  SHOULD IT BE?
Yes.  Our drop-in anchor when properly installed at a 90 degree vertical angle eliminates scraping and scouring of the metal.  In that manner the cathodic protection retards/eliminates corrosion, electrolysis, and rust. Which is the main cause for anchor failure.  Thus ensuring longer life and less future costs.

DO I NEED SPECIAL EQUIPMENT TO INSTALL DROP-IN ANCHORS?
Generally, the installation crew and equipment used are already equipped with an auger.  However several have been installed with anything from bulldozers to backhoes.

IS THE PLASTIC COATING BEST?
Yes.  Since most soils in the U. S. are acidic, which is a good conductor of electrolysis, rust, and corrosion.  By insulating the anchor with cathodic protection we isolate the anchor from all of these corrosive elements.

WHAT ABOUT 90 DEGREE VERTICAL INSTALLATION?
The weakest area on any anchor rod is the threads or where the plate connects to the rod.  It is our recommendation to install all anchors straight up 90 degrees.  This allows for more of the tension/strength from the rod rather that just the threads.  The maximum advantage of installing this anchor in a 90 degree vertical angle is you get a cylinder effect where you have more compressed soil weight per cubic inch from the plate to the top of the soil.  Thus giving it maximum holding power.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY A DROP-IN ANCHOR?
National Foundry installed concave dish electrical anchor has not had a failure in the past twenty-five (25) years, Thus eliminating the constant cost of replacement.  We believe that the insulating protective properties of the anchor from deteriorating elements surrounding it while dormant in the ground, is the reason for our success.

WHY ARE NATIONAL FOUNDRY ANCHORS SLIGHTLY MORE EXPENSIVE?
In the rush to cut prices quality typically diminishes as well.  Other manufacturers purchase uncertified steel from Mexico and also cut expenses with lower quality additives.  National Foundry has always and will continue to produce only the highest quality products with effective coatings to the eye, bottom, and cap nut, rod sleeve, and isolator washer to deter deterioration of the anchor thus ensuring users the very best.

HOW CAN I BE ASSURED HIGHEST QUALITY?
National Foundry utilizes an in-house spectrograph to analyze all produced steel products and maintain standards.  All raw stock is certified steel and meets or exceeds American Steel Standards.

WHAT ABOUT DELIVERY?
By keeping an adequate level of inventory we are able to fulfill your order quickly and to your satisfaction.  We package the product in the most efficient manner with regards to safety.  The order is then sent via an independent trucking company or least expensive. Yet expedient freight line to your destination.

It is because of these reasons we contend to have the highest quality product on the market today.

Eye:
Produced for single, double, or triple strand cable.  It is either welded-on or screwed-on to the rod as per customer request.  It has an epoxy paint coating to prevent corrosion.

Rod:
The different rod lengths available are 6-15’.  The diameter of the rod is 3/4”, 1”, 1 1/4”, and 1 1/2”.  A plastic sleeve is placed over the rod to prevent cathodic corrosion.

Bottom:
The different sizes are 15”, 20”, 24”, 30”, and 36” O.D., with center I.D. to rod size used.  Pipe sleeve is welded in the center to facilitate the rod to penetrate the bottom.  There is a black mastic coating paint to prevent corrosion.

Washer:
A plastic washer isolates and grounds the bottom from the cap nut and rod.

CAP NUT: 
The cap nut prevents corrosion to threads, and they are epoxy coated.