Service changes

[daleuger]

Has anyone ever heard of a requirement to drive TWO ground rods on a new service? I did a service change today and the owner made point to let me know to be sure to put 2 of them about 8 feet apart. New one on me.....

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Has anyone ever heard of a requirement to drive TWO ground rods on a new service? I did a service change today and the owner made point to let me know to be sure to put 2 of them about 8 feet apart. New one on me.....

If you do not use a CEE generally you are required to install 2 rods at least 6' apart. the further apart the better. This has been in the code for some time now.

I should add if you can get 25 ohms with one rod then you need not add the other.

 

[daleuger]

If you do not use a CEE generally you are required to install 2 rods at least 6' apart. the further apart the better. This has been in the code for some time now.

I should add if you can get 25 ohms with one rod then you need not add the other.

Wow guilty on 2 counts. I haven't read up enough AND ".....but we've always done it this way is in effect"

This is why I like this site.

 

[fireryan]

our poco requires 2 rods. I didnt know it was in the nec though. I dont have a code book handy, where is it in 250

 

[Dennis Alwon]

our poco requires 2 rods. I didnt know it was in the nec though. I dont have a code book handy, where is it in 250

Art. 250.56 is what you need.

250.56 Resistance of Rod, Pipe, and Plate Electrodes.
A single electrode consisting of a rod, pipe, or plate that does not have a resistance to ground of 25 ohms or less shall be augmented by one additional electrode of any of the types specified by 250.52(A)(4) through (A)(8). Where multiple rod, pipe, or plate electrodes are installed to meet the requirements of this section, they shall not be less than 1.8 m (6 ft) apart.
FPN: The paralleling efficiency of rods longer than 2.5 m (8 ft) is improved by spacing greater than 1.8 m (6 ft).

 

[Rewire]

We drive two rods and that way we know its right

 

[JWCELECTRIC]

Has anyone ever heard of a requirement to drive TWO ground rods on a new service? I did a service change today and the owner made point to let me know to be sure to put 2 of them about 8 feet apart. New one on me.....

DA,

I always drive (2) rods in on upgrades & new services, I don't need any call backs from Inspectors. Few years back I tied my GEC to the water main (copper) and drove in a ground rod below meter socket. Called in inspection, and then get a call back and the inspector wouldn't pass without (2) rods @ meter. His argument was that the town was in the process of upgrading the water mains to plastic, but talking with other folks in town it wasn't true on the water main upgrade. Just cut the loses!

 

[ceknight]

I always drive (2) rods in on upgrades & new services, I don't need any call backs from Inspectors.....

I always drive 2 rods, but for a slightly different reason. I charge a lot of money for service upgrades, and it's always better if it looks like I earned some of it.

 

[ohm]

DA,

I always drive (2) rods in on upgrades & new services, I don't need any call backs from Inspectors. Few years back I tied my GEC to the water main (copper) and drove in a ground rod below meter socket. Called in inspection, and then get a call back and the inspector wouldn't pass without (2) rods @ meter. His argument was that the town was in the process of upgrading the water mains to plastic, but talking with other folks in town it wasn't true on the water main upgrade. Just cut the loses!

I started testing the first ground rod and found if they were driven on high elevation shale or sand they could read as high as 600 ohms.

At lower elevations in moist soil only one was required. I made up a certification sheet for the inspection dept. , since they don't have a ground tester.

 

[Skyline Electric]

On a residential service change, I do a cold water ground and drive a single ground rod. It's my understanding that 250.56 refers to "A single electrode" consisting of a rod.... Since I have 2 electrodes, I only install one ground rod. I have done hundreds of service changes like this and never been corrected by an inspector.

In fact, I have never ever seen 2 ground rods installed on a service.....

 

[220/221]

2 rods here(AZ) for at least the past decade.

 

[billdozier]

two rods till recently. Boss just stated that since we use uefer ground we no longer have to drive ground rods. Is this correct per code? Or is another local issue. Too many codes not enforced to count around here. Would hate to become an inspector. No one in this town would pass or at least not first try

 

[bigjohn67]

2 ground rods

2 ground rods

In our area, it is required to install 2 ground rods and hit the main water line within 5 ft of water service entrance if it is copper. If the main is not copper, then you only have to install the 2 rods.

 

[Mr.Sparkle]

Were now up to 56 ground rods in NJ.

 

[jrannis]

Two ground rods maximum and #6 bare or green for a service in Miami
or
One ground rod and cold water pipe.

Ive never tried it but,it seems like you could connect a 5 amp fuse to the ground rod, connect the other end to a hot and if it blows, you would have less than 25 ohms.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

two rods till recently. Boss just stated that since we use uefer ground we no longer have to drive ground rods. Is this correct per code? Or is another local issue. Too many codes not enforced to count around here. Would hate to become an inspector. No one in this town would pass or at least not first try

That is correct. Put in a ufer and no rods are required.

 

[LarryFine]

Since I have 2 electrodes, I only install one ground rod. I have done hundreds of service changes like this and never been corrected by an inspector.

Around here, they'd happily accept that, if you can prove you have 10+ feet of metal pipe in contact with earth.

 

[zog]

If you do not use a CEE generally you are required to install 2 rods at least 6' apart. the further apart the better. This has been in the code for some time now.

I should add if you can get 25 ohms with one rod then you need not add the other.

Oh no, here we go again

 

[electricguy61]

Cold water (if metal) and 1 ground rod here in Northern California, accept San Francisco, where they want 2 ground rods no matter what

 

[izak]

it is my understanding that if I use a concrete encased electrode, AND a copper water pipe for grounding electrodes, the i dont HAVE to drive a ground rod.

At All.

250.50