Ground rods

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The simple answer is to avoid the use of ground rods altogether. There are several other electrodes that are more suitable for use than than ground rods. 250.52 of the NEC.
 
I'm having trouble understanding what determines how many ground rods are required for certain services. Is it determined by the number of enclosures and/or size of the service itself? I better go sign up for some classes... :smile:

bphgravity said:
The simple answer is to avoid the use of ground rods altogether. There are several other electrodes that are more suitable for use than than ground rods. 250.52 of the NEC.
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That particular section that you referenced I understand. I am a little more interested in my concerns that I expressed above.
 
mtaylor said:
How does one determine the number and size of ground rods for a service or multiple services?
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number - the maximum number required is 2. The minimum number required is 0. you can have 50 if you want.

size - at least 8 foot in the ground.
 
mtaylor,

Start by reading 250.50 and continue through to 250.70.

250.50 states that "All grounding electrodes as described in 250.52(A)(1) through (A)(6) that are present at each building or structure served shall be bonded together to form the grounding electrode system."

So you may not even need a ground rod if you have some of the other types of electrodes present, such as a concrete encasec electrode.

Chris
 
If I was to install a 4000 amp, 480 volt service in the middle of nowhere with no electrodes present at most I would be required to install two ground rods and they could be connected to the service with just 6 AWG copper.

As the others have said, all the info is contained between 250.50 and 250.70
 
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