Ground Rod

meroy

How far can the first ground rod be from the meter base?

Code05

Right below it is fine unless it is an underground feed, usually need 2 rods.

Few power companies allow you to attach it to their meter base, so check first.

Rods need to be 6 feet apart with a #6 copper wire connected.

meroy

If the ground cannot be close under the meter base, how far can you place the first rod from the base?

Code05

No minimum distance that I know of, within reason of course.

Code05

250.30(A)(4) Grounding Electrode. The grounding electrode shall
be as near as practicable to, and preferably in the same area
as, the grounding electrode conductor connection to the
system.

meroy

I need to know the maximun distance. Because of rock cannot get first closer than 8ft.

Code05

There is no max. 8 feet is fine.

ddawg16

Yea....that has changed over the years.

When I upgraded my load center 11 years ago from 60A to 200A, the requirement was a ground rod where the water pipe entered the house...so you drive an 8' ground rod in close to the water pipe...connect a 6AWG wire to the water pipe...then the ground rod...and then run it over to the load center (meter). In my case, about 35'.

Now....11 years later...I'm doing a 2-story addition...and having to move my meter....as noted above...'close as possible'....but I also have to have an UFER (if doing new concrete work). Basically, a 4 AWG wire 20' long embeded in the concrete....or bonded to all of the rebar....I did both....and also slamed a new ground rod into the ground in my crawl space....I'll be using it as a tie point for the existing ground...

So....now my new meter will be bonded to my concrete slab which is my UFER ground....and a new ground rod about 25' away....AND the existing ground rod at the front of the house which is also tied to my incoming water pipe......

I think I'm grounded.....

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