I went to the electrical section of our local chain home center and noticed that
they have ground rods in two sizes, and two different material. There was one
that had light gray, dull silver color, (I assume it's galvanized metal) and it's
diameter looked like was 5/8 inch. The other was orange/reddish color
(I assume it's copper), and it's diameter looked like was 1/2 inch. I couldn't
see any price or tag for these and there was no knowledgeable sale person to ask questions from. BTW, These were 8 feet long.

Questions:
1. Which ground rod is better, a 5/8 inch galvanized, or a 1/2" copper?

2. Does codes under any NEC 200x specify the diameter and/or type of ground rods
one must use? Would this depend on soil type?

3. What type of ground rod clip to use with each? Mixing metal types is always a
bad thing which causes to react with each other and causes problems later,
unless, they are threated with a special grease. Home centers seem to sell
either brass looking or a plain metal clips.

4. How one can drive the ground rod in place? Is there a tool one can rent? Or
is it as simple as sledge hammering it in?

Use the 5/8. don't matter copper or galv. Depends on your soil. Copper should work. There 8 ft, and they have to be buried that amt.

You have to use a gnd connector that is rated direct burial. The strap and rod have to be under ground out of harms way. I bought my strap at HD. It is direct burial rated.

I think they rent a tool for driving them. I used a hammer. What fun that was

Mike