Bending Grounding Electrode for a test well, 250.53(G)

[MrJLH]

An issue came up today at site where we cant install ground rods vertically due to rock and other under ground obstructions.

Seems the only solution is to install the ground rods horizontally 30" deep.

My question is does the code allow the ground rods to be "bent" by 90 degrees so that they can fit into the test well via bottom entry?

The length of the rods will still have 8ft of horizontal contact to earth.

Thanks

 

[david]

Can you use a different type grounding electrode?

you can drive a rod at 45 deg if it cannot be driven vertical

 

[infinity]

No an 8' rod needs to be buried horizontal. IMO you could bend a 10' rod and still have 8' of it horizontal.

 

[m sleem]

Or change it to plate.

 

[LarryFine]

Or a rod with a conductor attached with a bury-able clamp or cad-welded to it.

 

[MrJLH]

IMO you could bend a 10' rod and still have 8' of it horizontal.

That was the idea!

Thanks all!

 

[MrJLH]

Or change it to plate.

Or a rod with a conductor attached with a bury-able clamp or cad-welded to it.

Thanks for the ideas, but the problem is (not a real problem) all my materials area at the job site and we cant afford the delay.

 

[SceneryDriver]

No an 8' rod needs to be buried horizontal. IMO you could bend a 10' rod and still have 8' of it horizontal.

How will the electrons know about the bend in the rod? Why would it possibly matter? The rod is, after all, in contact with the earth along its entire length regardless of orientation to the ground's surface.



SceneryDriver

 

[infinity]

How will the electrons know about the bend in the rod? Why would it possibly matter? The rod is, after all, in contact with the earth along its entire length regardless of orientation to the ground's surface.



SceneryDriver

The NEC says that the rod can be driven at up to a 45 degree angle or buried horizontally. If it's buried it has to be flat. In practical terms it probably makes no difference because I'm guessing that the electrons don't care.

 

[MrJLH]

How will the electrons know about the bend in the rod? Why would it possibly matter? The rod is, after all, in contact with the earth along its entire length regardless of orientation to the ground's surface.

SceneryDriver

It was just a thought that crossed my mind. Guess there is always a first time for everything.

 

[kwired]

If you bend the rod into an L shape the sphere of influence of one side of the L will overlap the sphere of influence of the other side possibly leaving you with higher overall resistance to earth than if it were straight and in the same soil conditions.

 

[LarryFine]

If you bend the rod into an L shape the sphere of influence of one side of the L will overlap the sphere of influence of the other side possibly leaving you with higher overall resistance to earth than if it were straight and in the same soil conditions.

But 8' horizontal with a 2' stub-up wouldn't be any worse than 8' horizontal alone, right?

 

[kwired]

But 8' horizontal with a 2' stub-up wouldn't be any worse than 8' horizontal alone, right?

Wouldn't think so.