Grounding Rods

[wyliesdiesels]

Can you tell me what ground rods have to do with neutrals?

And how do you propose a DIYer test a ground rod? Go out and buy the required tester?

Also, most electricians don't stick a 6' rod in the ground. We use 8' rods, and typically two, because that is all the code requires. Period.

I think what he was getting at and what was happening on that particular call was that some of the neutral return current was flowing through the ground rod and back to the ground rod at the pole that is bonded to the center tap/neutral on the PoCo transformer....

 

[TractorJeff]

Last service I installed in New York State, the ground rods were out 6 feet and spread 6 feet apart. A continuous loop of copper buried 6 to 8 inches below grade.
I've seen lightning hit TV antenna's on houses and blow the telephone off the wall. Unless you have enough trees to capture the lightning, you are going to get some damage.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

But we are talking basic resi electrical service here, 2 ground rods is an exercise in wasting time and material. It's a requirement that many electricians would like to see removed from the NEC.

Well I guess its good physical exercise if you still pound them in with a sledge.

Hammer drill puts them down in short order.

Charles