Question about ground rods

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badashuka

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So I do a fair amount of residential service changes and a lot of what I do is what I was taught as an apprentice. Correct me if I am wrong!!! 250.53 (g) says I only have to have 8 ft ground rods when I was taught to install 10". When do I have to use 10"??? Also I read that I don't have to run GEC larger than #6 AWG to my ground rod, is this true even with a 200 amp system??? Last question, I usually install 3/4" ground rods because I cannot find a table for sizing ground rods, a little help please.

Thanks to everyone who takes time to answer my post, I appreciate your time and experience.
 
There is no table for ground rods but they are generally 5/8" . If they are 1/2" they must be listed- 5/8" rods do not have to be listed. 250.52(A)(5). The 10' length is a choice but the NEC only requires 8' and you generally need two to comply with 250.53(A)(2). A #6 is all that is needed to any rod as long as there are no bonding jumpers going to electrodes that require a #4 such as the water pipes.250.66(A)
 
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badashuka said:
So I do a fair amount of residential service changes and a lot of what I do is what I was taught as an apprentice. Correct me if I am wrong!!! 250.53 (g) says I only have to have 8 ft ground rods when I was taught to install 10". When do I have to use 10"??? Also I read that I don't have to run GEC larger than #6 AWG to my ground rod, is this true even with a 200 amp system??? Last question, I usually install 3/4" ground rods because I cannot find a table for sizing ground rods, a little help please.

Thanks to everyone who takes time to answer my post, I appreciate your time and experience.
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You mean we can use 10" (inch) rods, I've been beating myself to death for nothing.:lol:

What Dennis said.:thumbsup:
 
The difference between a 10' rod and 8' is the 10' rod does not have to be entirely in the ground, the 8' does, the code requires that the rod to be in contact with the soil at least 8' this means an 8' rod will be all the way in with the top just under the grade, a DB connection would also have to be used, but since most all rod connection devices are DB rated it doesn't make much difference.

See 250.53(G)
 
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