Ground electrodes

[bickle]

NEC 2002 Article 250.52, (A) (5)states;

"Rod and Pipe Electrodes. Rod and pipe electrodes shall not be ...
(b)Electrodes of iron or steel shall be at least 15.87 mm (5/8 in.)in diameter. Stainless steel rods less than 16 mm (5/8 in.) in diameter, nonferrous rods, or their equivalent shall be listed and shall not be less than 13 mm (1/2 in.) in diameter.

My question is why are stainless rods not allowed to be larger than 5/8", and the way that is worded, it seems like you could use as small a stainless rod as you wanted, as long as it is less than 5/8".

 

[ryan_618]

Re: Ground electrodes

I beleive what it is saying is that you could use a stainless rod as long as it is at least 1/2" in diameter. You could use a 3/4" stainless rod and it would not be a violation, since it is obviously "not ... less than 13 mm (1/2 in.) in diameter".

 

[charlie]

Re: Ground electrodes

But to be smaller, they must be listed.