How do I Calculate the Spacing of a Ground Conductor?
- 1). Choose a location for your first grounding rod. This can be any location around the exterior of your home that will not be subjected to mechanical damage from lawn mowers or vehicles. Be careful not to drive the rod through a gas line, water pipe or underground electrical service lateral. A local underground locating service can mark the location of these systems.
- 2). Measure in a horizontal direction from your chosen location at least 6 feet with a measuring tape. This is the required distance as stated by the National Electrical Code, but it should be considered as an absolute minimum. The farther you space the rods, the better. A good rule of thumb is to space the rods twice their length to avoid the resistance areas from overlapping. If your rods are 8 feet in length, it is best to space them 16 feet apart.
- 3). Mark the two locations and install the rods into the soil.
