grounding electrode availability

[ryan_618]

Am i reading this right? 250.50 states that, if available, these shall be used: water pipe, bulding steel, uffer, ring, rod and pipe, plate.

The 99' NEC worded it a bit differently. Are we now REQUIRING a ground rod at each structure, even if the water pipe is not the only electrode? With that in mind, would someone please explain the word "available" to me?!

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: grounding electrode availability

Ryan,
If the rod is not installed, it is not available. There is no change in the intent of the section from '99 to '02.
Don