Grounding Electrode Conductor Sizing and Means of Attachment

[kwired]

Charlie b, & infinity have referenced 250.66(a).
it says #6 is all you need, as long as your using an 8’ rod or approved plate.

maybe I’m missing something in your post?

250.66(A) Connections to Rod, Pipe, or Plate Electrodes.

Where the grounding electrode conductor is connected to rod, pipe, or plate electrodes as permitted in 250.52(A)(5) or (A)(7), that portion of the conductor that is the sole connection to the grounding electrode shall not be required to be larger than 6 AWG copper wire or 4 AWG aluminum wire.

Bold part is what OP is looking for. Must be sole connection to rod, pipe, plate electrode, if so never needs to be larger than 6 AWG copper. I think reasoning is at some point it was determined the electrode wasn't able to dissipate any more energy to earth than a 6 AWG can deliver to it.

Similar rules and reasons for CEE's except change it to 4 AWG.

If the GEC hits a rod then jumps to water pipe then it must be full size mentioned in the table, but if you went to water pipe first jumper to a rod only needs to be 6 AWG.

 

[zander]

Thanks for all the excellent feedback guys! Really appreciate it!