Location of Ground Rod

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beanland

beanland

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Vancouver, WA
250.52(b) describes a ground rod (electrode). 250.53(G) states that the ground rod shall have 8 feet of contact with soil and that the top is to be below grade unless the attachment (clamp) is protected. 250.10 states that the clamp can be protected or rated for no protection.

Is there a section that states that the grounding electrode must be outside the footprint (or foundation) of the structure?

We had a repair where the entire house is surrounded by concrete. The HO opted to bore holes in the garage slab (near panel) to install ground rods. AHJ says that rods must be outside.
 
Nothing in the nec that I know of that states ground rods must be outside. I would want them outside to ensure that there probably would be more moisture in the soil.
 
I recall some "discussion" about the rod being "required to beyond the gutter system" ...or something like that....so the area gets hit with rainwater or sunlight :D or something?

Maybe "those in the know" will respond ?
 
I agree with what the others have said. There is no NEC requirement that the ground rod be installed outside.

Chris
 
I was thinking if a bolt of lightning struck my ground rod I'd prefer it to be
outside my home.Then again almost all Ufer grounds are located inside the
building or structure.What would be the difference?Would'nt
the rod outside the home be subject to more corrosive elements?
Then again what do I know, I'm not a soils expert.
 
Bean,
We have installed GEC ground rods inside, on several (permitted / inspected) jobs.
We have never found a reason not to do this.
We leave the top exposed to view, use regular clamps.
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Hope you find this forum helpful.
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I look at 250.53(A) -

Where practical, rod, pipe, and plate electrodes shall be embedded below permanent moisture level. Rod, pipe, and plate electrodes shall be free from nonconductive coatings such as paint or enamel.

250.53(G) Talks about being able to drive at an angle, or buried in at leat 30" trench, but no call in either case, as to where the rod installation is performed at.

If an inspector were to question the installation, the first question is always "Where was that in the NEC?" Unless there are additional local addendums. you should be good;inide or outside. The only spot that can be even questionable is what defines where practical means.
 
In many comminities in NJ the depth of a basement is often limited by the water tables. If you were to install ground rods below a basement your chances of hitting conductive soil is increased.
 
RICK NAPIER said:
In many comminities in NJ the depth of a basement is often limited by the water tables. If you were to install ground rods below a basement your chances of hitting conductive soil is increased.
Click to expand...


I dug a 3' X 3' hole in my basement for a sewer ejector pit when adding a new bathroom. The hole filled up with water in a few days. :rolleyes: Around here that would be a better place to install the rod.
 
you know most ground rods at dwellings are driven within two feet of the foundation,.. here in the Northeast we have basements or cellars .. so my point is,.. when we drive the rod into the ground as described its like driving it right next to a hole,.. a big hole in the earth...

I have often wondered how much,.. if at all ,..this effects the ability of the ground rod to handle the proverbial lightning strike???
 
Apparently this is very controversial but the AHJ wants them outside in Clark County, WA.
Click to expand...

Depends on which battle of the war you want to take on. Before starting and though, check your RCW and WAC regs.

You can do that here

This is what my July 2001 WAC book has-

WAC 296-46A-250 grounding and bonding.

(1) Metallic stubs or valves used in nonmetallic plumbing systems are not required to be grounded or bonded o the electrical system unless required by an electrical equipment manufacturer's instructions.

(2) Hot nad cold water plumbing lines are not required to bonded together if, at the time of inspection, the inspector can deterine the lines are mechanically and electrically joined by one or more metallic mixing valves.

(3) A temporary construction service is permitted to have only one made electrode.

(4) If a ground a ground resistance test is not performed to ensure a resistance to ground of 25 ohms or less, two or more electrodes as specified in article 250.52 NEC must be installed in a minimum of six feet apart.

At no point does it state that the ground rods have to be outside!

I would ask that he produce a code article, or some substantiation that, justify's this unnecessary activity he requests.
 
There is no practical reason I can see for not allowing it in a house. Moisture in the soil directly beneath a slab will remain fairly constant as chances of it getting wet or dry is minimized by the concrete, also less likely to freeze.

Ask him where in the NEC
Tell him you understand many inspectors have their own codes but what's his logic behind this one.
 
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