How many ground rods?

Roaddoggie

How many 8' ground rods should I install for a house in the country with plenty of acreage and no metal plumbing?

Scuba_Dave

Usually 2 ground rods are installed at least 6' between them
#6 min wire to connect to panel

Speedy Petey

What are the ground rods for?

__________________
Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

Roaddoggie

I'm grounding two 200A panelboards, and plan to run #4 cu from each panel to the first rod with one continuing on to how many other rods I decide on. I've heard anywhere from two to eight rods but wondered what standard practice might be.

220/221

Standard practice = two

Speedy Petey

No ground rods are required by code.

If no forms of electrode exist, such as a metal underground water pipe, rebar in footings, or building steel, then a form of electrode is required to be installed.

Absent any other electrodes you can install a ground rod. If this rod does not meet the 25 ohms or less requirement (rarely even checked) then you can simply add another supplemental rod. Nothing more is required.

Unless a concrete encased electrode (rebar) is present most electricians simply sink two rods and are done with it.

Whoever told you you need eight rods is rather clueless.

__________________
Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

220/221

Bored today Petey?

A simple question deserves a simple answer.

Two

Roaddoggie

Thanks, will install two.

Speedy Petey

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

You know me, if there is one simple answer I'll usually give it where others might elaborate excessively.

This is one area I don't like to be short and sweet. I like to give the correct answer. If someone asks how many ground rods are required the ONLY correct answer is NONE.

If there is a Ufer available WHY in the world would you install ANY ground rods????

__________________
Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.