Ground Rod Installation

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aramg83

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Good morning all

Visited existing jobsite and saw a ground rod (currently in use to ground existing service and to be used as one of our grounding electrodes for new service) poking 3-4" in through the foundation cinder block wall into the existing service room at an elevation about 6'-0" below grade. Is this an approved electrode?

Here is my rationale:

It is horizontal and definitely at least 2.5' below grade
Not sure if it's 8'-0" long but I have to take engineer on record's word for it
It does not come into contact with non-conductive material (unsure here as to how conductive concrete block wall is)
It is NOT entirely flush with or below grade but it is installed in an area relatively free from the possibility of physical damage

Appreciate your input
 
From 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,

Does not sound like your install meets the parameter....
 
Does this building have a CEE? If so, just use that and remove the connection to the rod entirely. Its just a piece of metal sticking in the ground at that point, and not part of the electrical system.

OTOH, its not like it is a safety hazard. Unless you are looking for things to charge the customer for, or have been told to bring it up to code, I would not be real excited about it.

Its also possible that the rod extends into the ground the required 8 feet and someone welded a cross wise piece onto it to extend into the basement. Do you have any way to know that was not done?
 
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