2nd residential ground rod

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kirkpatrick88

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Denver, Colorado
I have read many arguments about the NEC with regard to the installing the grounding rod and ensuring it has < 25 ohms of resistance, or you need a 2nd rod installed > 6' from the first.

I recently moved into a house that was built in 1999 and it has only 1 grounding rod installed near the panel with a #4 connected to the copper waterline.

Based on what I have read here, most single ground rods do not meet the 25 ohm requirement and do not get tested. Most people just drop a 2nd rod and call it a day.

My question is: If this was your house, would you bother installing a 2nd ground rod or not worry about it? I would get the resistance tested, but it seems silly to spend $$$ if the results are most likely that I will need a 2nd rod anyway to meet current code. Obviously the inspector did not think that a 2nd rod was important when he looked at the system in 1999.

Thoughts?
 
I've had only one rod for the past 14 years. I'm in no rush to install another one either.
 
Like the rest I wouldn't worry about it.
The code here is that if you have a cold water ground then you only drive one rod, which is the way most city houses are. In the city the cold water ground has to connect the cut off where it first comes into the house using #4 bear copper.
In the county usually drive two ground rods, because of most having wells.
Welcome to the form
Semper Fi Buddy
 
dcspector said:
99' NEC 250-56
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I thought that might be coming. My wife sold my 99 book at a yard sell.
It was not enforced around nc until 2002.
And some areas still don't require two ground rods in NC.
 
Don't worry about it at all. Your area has a very low lightning flash density, perhaps as low as 1-2 flashes per square kilometer per year. So lightning isn't going to be a problem.

If you actually live in Denver or in the suburban area around Denver, it is likely the utility is well maintained and under close watch of the state utility commission that regulates power quality. So utility issues are not going to be a problem.

The house is relatively new and likely meets the 1996 NEC or better, so premise wiring issues are not going to be a problem either.

I wouldn't waste another moment of thought on the issue...
 
buckofdurham said:
I thought that might be coming. My wife sold my 99 book at a yard sell.
It was not enforced around nc until 2002.
And some areas still don't require two ground rods in NC.
Click to expand...

It was 250.84 in the 1990 NEC. It may not be enforced but, it is required in NC.

Roger
 
electricmanscott said:
Not by the NEC, but unless my metal water pipe disapears it is plenty.
Click to expand...

Your not suggesting the NEC requires you to do something because of something that may happen in the future are you ??? That can't be...
 
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