Electrician question?

[Rabidsquirrel]

810.21 (B) says that insulation is not required. You'll need to use copper, because aluminum will rot away in the ground, and you'll want to use copper for at least 18 inches above ground.

Depth, depending what will be traveling on top of it I'd go 18 inches. Drip line really doesn't matter, damp earth conducts better anyway.

Just remember, NEC says that the 8 feet of ground rod has to be underground *and* your connections have to be underground too.

*edit again*

Your ground rods should be at least 6 feet apart to avoid ground loops.

[rack04]

Thanks for the information. I don't understand why NEC requires the ground block attached to the ground rod to be buried. That would make inspection a little difficult.

[BigFrank]

Originally Posted by rack04

Thanks for the information. I don't understand why NEC requires the ground block attached to the ground rod to be buried. That would make inspection a little difficult.

Most likely to prevent physical damage to the connection i.e. lawn mover, weed wacker.
It would be worthless if the connection was broken.

Although the grounding from a ground rod that I have done I always leave the connection visible but below the ground level. Have yet get a fail on that.

[Rabidsquirrel]

Originally Posted by rack04

Thanks for the information. I don't understand why NEC requires the ground block attached to the ground rod to be buried. That would make inspection a little difficult.

I'm guessing because the connection to the rod is the 'weakest' electrical point with the most resistance. Having it buried keeps it in contact with the earth.