[bennyboy33]

I have a ground rod to the service panel and meter base , I need another ground rod 6' away , can I use a 6'ground wire and connect the two ground rods or do I have to run a dedicated line to the meter base or panel?

[donf]

Your connection should be from the panel to ground rod #1 and from there to ground rod #2.

[stanfortyman]

Either way is fine, but the way Don describes is typical.

[parttime]

Your connection should be from the panel to ground rod #1 and from there to ground rod #2.

As Don said and here it's required to be a continuous wire from panel through first ground rod to the second.

[stanfortyman]

As Don said and here it's required to be a continuous wire from panel through first ground rod to the second.

It doesn't need to be continuous from the first rod to the second.
This is a bonding jumper and is not required to be continuous. Unless of course your area has a written amendment to the contrary.

[hfcarson]

As Don said and here it's required to be a continuous wire from panel through first ground rod to the second.

Are you saying that a second ground rod "cannot" be connected to the first with a separate length of #6 awg? Why not?

I like Stan's answer better...

[parttime]

here's info from our power co. needed before they will connect .

15. Ground wire conductors shall not pass through or be connected within the meter base. Ground rods and
ground connections shall be 6 inches below final grade. A total of two (2) 5/8 inch X 8 foot copper clad
ground rods and UL approved clamps shall be utilized. On new installations, the ground conductor shall
be continuous from the service panel or disconnect through the first ground rod and to the second ground
rod. For existing services, the second ground rod can be added without replacing the original ground
conductor as long as it is properly connected and bonded to the first ground rod. There shall be a
minimum distance of 6 feet between ground rods and #4 copper is the minimum ground wire size.


This may not apply in his instances. sorry

[hfcarson]

Where is this?

[parttime]

Wv

[donf]

It doesn't need to be continuous from the first rod to the second.
This is a bonding jumper and is not required to be continuous. Unless of course your area has a written amendment to the contrary.

Stan,

This image is showing exactly what I posted. The first ground rod is bonded to the panel. The second ground rod is bonded to the first ground rod, not the panel.

Are you saying that it does not matter if each ground rod is connected directly to the panel?

The purpose of the additional ground rod is to decrease the resistance od the first ground rod. Connecting the 2nd. Ground rod directly to the panelboard would have no effect on the resistance at the first ground rod.

Actually, if bit ground rods are directly connected to the panelboard, you could end up with each ground rod having a resistance of 25 Ohms or greater.

[tommybwiz]

Excuse me if I'm wrong, but the diagram shows the ground wire going to the meter,not the panel. According to parttime, it states it cannot pass through or be connected on the meter base. Hmm... Our co ops here finally decided after a lot of debate to ground the meter base and bond the panel to the meter base. I understand there are so many controversies on this, but this is how we have to now.

[parttime]

Hi Tommy, bottom line is you have to do what is required in your area to pass inspection, we pay at least a c-note for every visit by the inspector, so you don't want him visiting the site to often.

[hfcarson]

Hi Tommy, bottom line is you have to do what is required in your area to pass inspection, we pay at least a c-note for every visit by the inspector, so you don't want him visiting the site to often.

I agree that it is less expensive and aggravating to "just do" what the inspector says...

What if the inspector is wrong? Will the Judge let you go if you say, "the inspector told me to do it?"...