[TowerTalk] ground rod spacing

[jimlux]

Roger (K8RI) wrote:
> 
> On 1/3/2011 12:27 PM, jimlux wrote:
>> Mark Robinson wrote:
>>>> NEC doesn't say anything about multiple rods, other than they have to be
>>>>   bonded together.   (and, of course, that a rod can't be the sole
>>>> grounding means in a new installation)
>>> What do they require now? Several rods. I just beefed up my service
>>> ground (an old steel pipe banged in the ground 30 years ago) with
>>> another 10 foot copper clad rod right by it and then tied the system
>>> into the 30 ground rods in my tower grounding system.
>>>
>> Here's what Art 250.50 of 2005 NEC says:
>> 1) metal underground water pipe at least 10 feet long that is outside
>> the building. A well casing will do.
> Although it's in the NEC a well casing can be a very bad idea and it'd 
> never make code here.  one, you can't have the well that close and two, 
> the ground rods must be within about 6 or 8 feet of the service 
> entrance.  Getting both requirements is almost impossible.  I had to put 
> in two ground rods to satisfy the local code when we went to the 200 amp 
> service.
> 
> I say the well casing is a bad idea as many wells have submersible pumps 
> which are easily damaged by lightning strikes the local electricians 
> tell me and it does sound plausible.
> 


I'll bet that section is aimed at things like isolated pumphouses where 
the drop goes to the pumphouse, only.