rods on rock

Status
Not open for further replies.

tommyrice

Member
if i drove a ground rod vertically and hit solid rock,then pulled it back out and drove it at 45 degree angle and hit rock so that 1 foot still is above grade,could i bent top 1 foot over and cover it with dirt or would i have to lay rods horizontally 30" below grade?
 

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
if i drove a ground rod vertically and hit solid rock,then pulled it back out and drove it at 45 degree angle and hit rock so that 1 foot still is above grade,could i bent top 1 foot over and cover it with dirt or would i have to lay rods horizontally 30" below grade?

8' is required to be below grade but I won't tell you that I have never cut a ground rod before in that situation. :grin:
 

mcclary's electrical

Senior Member
Location
VA
if i drove a ground rod vertically and hit solid rock,then pulled it back out and drove it at 45 degree angle and hit rock so that 1 foot still is above grade,could i bent top 1 foot over and cover it with dirt or would i have to lay rods horizontally 30" below grade?

I've beenin this situation, and the code proper way to do it is dig down 24", and bend it over horizontally. If you do this right at, or barely below grade, you will most likely not pass. I've tried it
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
The requirement is that you install the rod vertically 8' deep at an angle not greater than 45?. If this is not possible due to rock then you can bury the entire rod horizontally. I see no wording that would permit you to bend over and bury just the top portion of the rod.

250.53(G) Rod and Pipe Electrodes. The electrode shall be installed such that at least 2.44 m (8 ft) of length is in contact with the soil. It shall be driven to a depth of not less than 2.44 m (8 ft) except that, where rock bottom is encountered, the electrode shall be driven at an oblique angle not to exceed 45 degrees from the vertical or, where rock bottom is encountered at an angle up to 45 degrees, the electrode shall be permitted to be buried in a trench that is at least 750 mm (30 in.) deep. The upper end of the electrode shall be flush with or below ground level unless the aboveground end and the grounding electrode conductor attachment are protected against physical damage as specified in 250.10
 

mcclary's electrical

Senior Member
Location
VA
The requirement is that you install the rod vertically 8' deep at an angle not greater than 45?. If this is not possible due to rock then you can bury the entire rod horizontally. I see no wording that would permit you to bend over and bury just the top portion of the rod.

I was taught the way I posted above, after rereading, that's probably not correct. I see what you mean about the enire rod part, I never realized it said that.
 

chris kennedy

Senior Member
Location
Miami Fla.
Occupation
60 yr old tool twisting electrician
Do all rods have those? Since 5/8" rods aren't required to be listed do they have stamps?

I couldn't tell you. I use 5/8 and 3/4 copper clad here as per specs and both are stamped. Anyone got a 5/8 galvie on the truck they could take a quick look at?
 

realolman

Senior Member
The requirement is that you install the rod vertically 8' deep at an angle not greater than 45?. If this is not possible due to rock then you can bury the entire rod horizontally. I see no wording that would permit you to bend over and bury just the top portion of the rod.

I agree with the lack of specific wording, but I think it would be silly to not allow it. The whole rod would conform to one of the ways that are permissible.
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
What about plate electrode?


A big piece of metal buried in the ground. Here are the requirements:

250.52(A)(7) Plate Electrodes. Each plate electrode shall expose not less than 0.186 m2 (2 ft2) of surface to exterior soil. Electrodes of iron or steel plates shall be at least 6.4 mm (? in.) in thickness. Electrodes of nonferrous metal shall be at least 1.5 mm (0.06 in.) in thickness.
 

jxofaltrds

Inspector Mike®
Location
Mike P. Columbus Ohio
Occupation
ESI, PI, RBO
if i drove a ground rod vertically and hit solid rock,then pulled it back out and drove it at 45 degree angle and hit rock so that 1 foot still is above grade,could i bent top 1 foot over and cover it with dirt or would i have to lay rods horizontally 30" below grade?

No do not bend the top.Yes you can bury it (them).
Look at exhibit 250.24 in the handbook.
 

wxstevens

Member
Location
Cool Ridge, WV
I couldn't tell you. I use 5/8 and 3/4 copper clad here as per specs and both are stamped. Anyone got a 5/8 galvie on the truck they could take a quick look at?

I am looking at a 5/8 with no marks.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top