A surge protector which has a metal grounding plate having holes and tubular sleeve guides, standard UL-approved ground rods that are inserted through the sleeve guides and are affixed to the sleeve guides using a durable exothermic weld, and leads attached at one end to the grounding plate also using an exothermic weld to affix any number of grounding devices, traditional ground rings, electronic equipment, structures, sites or combinations thereof. The durable exothermic weld is a permanent connection that stands in contrast to commonly used mechanical connections. The present invention also has a minimal footprint requirement allowing for placement in areas where space limitations are unsuitable for placement of conventional grounding rings. The present invention can be used in combination with or in lieu of conventional grounding rings.