DBoone
Senior Member
- Location
- Mississippi
- Occupation
- General Contractor
What is the reasoning behind the rod needing to be at least 18” from the pole?
Temp Power Spec Sheet
- Thread starter DBoone
- Start date
- Status
What is the reasoning behind the rod needing to be at least 18” from the pole?
That’s a typical power company measurement. A pole auger is 18 inches round. When you set a pole in the hole you do not want the ground rod in disturbed earth. So we require ground rods 18 inches away from all poles.
It’s all about getting the ground rod in undisturbed earth
It’s all about getting the ground rod in undisturbed earth
- Location
- Tennessee NEC:2017
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrician
My guess would be they want the rod in solid soil and not loose soil caused by digging the hole for the pole.
I never worry about that and have never been questioned on it by either the inspector or POCO.
I never worry about that and have never been questioned on it by either the inspector or POCO.
DBoone
Senior Member
- Location
- Mississippi
- Occupation
- General Contractor
That’s good to know the reasoning behind it. I forgot the spec sheet at home this morning but I hand dug the hole this morning and drove the rod probably 12” away. Very solid earth I went into.
- Status