Is THAT supposed to be more Code compliant than what I did ?
But the code says it can be buried at ANY angle when you get to the nuts and bolts of it...
if you have rock and bury the rod in a trench, what angle is that?
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 above ground end and the grounding electrode conductor attachment are protected against physical damage as specified in 250.10.
Where does it say that the upper end needs to be near grade?Okay, so you 1st drive it vertical, then if you hit rock you try an angle not to exceed 45 degrees, then if you can't get it installed you dig a trench 30" deep and install it there, but the upper end needs to be up near grade so ... what, bend a 30" stub and install it?
"The upper end of the electrode shall be flush with or below ground level unless the above ground end and the grounding electrode conductor attachment are protected against physical damage as specified in 250.10. "Where does it say that the upper end needs to be near grade?
That’s how I read it as well.
It’s essentially saying that a rod driven at an angle is only sufficient if you hit rock on a vertical attempt first. There are no laws of physics or engineering to support that, that I know of!
I know the Code says what it says and that technically speaking I am in violation. If I were a hack and had numerous violations, adding the ground rod angle to the list would not seem so bad. However, when you look at the entire project and see that everything is neat, clean, workmanlike and to the letter of the Code, putting a red sticker on a panel and thereby hanging up your $$$ just to prove to the HO that you are the EI and you have the authority to do this is purely an ego trip.Sorry to be harsh but the code says what it says and what you did was not code compliant. Apparently you feel the inspector should have let it go. Despite how many dumb code rules there are, I think it's best that inspectors follow the rules and don't play wild west Shariff.
Man I get this, have lived this, and it's why I am a recluse now.I'm not the most tactful person so I need to write these things down on paper and have them available when I do speak to him.
Thanks. I will post the result. I may either bend the rod or just pound another one in. We'll see. I'm almost at the end of my career so ticking someone off really doesn't bother me. I have a fellow EC in my contractors association who is 95 and still going. He plans to renew his license and business permit in March. He's my idolMan I get this, have lived this, and it's why I am a recluse now.
I wish you good luck, try to watch the tone of voice. Please let us know what happens.
I bet you make sure you have a bender with you for the next time (straighten that bad boy out like was suggested earlier).
I agree it is sort of stupid to fail if that particular item is all that could be found, possibly depending on what angle we are talking here.I know the Code says what it says and that technically speaking I am in violation. If I were a hack and had numerous violations, adding the ground rod angle to the list would not seem so bad. However, when you look at the entire project and see that everything is neat, clean, workmanlike and to the letter of the Code, putting a red sticker on a panel and thereby hanging up your $$$ just to prove to the HO that you are the EI and you have the authority to do this is purely an ego trip.
That said, I haven't spoken to the EI as yet and rather than work myself up into a lather I've been mulling over several different approaches in my mind in an attempt to handle this diplomatically. I'm not the most tactful person so I need to write these things down on paper and have them available when I do speak to him. I want to thank you all for your responses - they were really helpful.
That would be 90 degrees - from the generally required "vertical"But the code says it can be buried at ANY angle when you get to the nuts and bolts of it...
if you have rock and bury the rod in a trench, what angle is that?
No, usually a rod buried in a trench would be horizontally placed. That would be 0 or 180, now wouldn’t it..That would be 90 degrees - from the generally required "vertical"
You're allowed up to a 45° angle you've exceeded that?
No, usually a rod buried in a trench would be horizontally placed. That would be 0 or 180, now wouldn’t it..
Depending on how level your ditch is...![]()
Wait! Just reread the post. Edit time ran out.That would be 90 degrees - from the generally required "vertical"