In a grounding system, the ground electrode provides the physical connection to ground and is the preferred method used to dissipate current to the ground.
There are 2 basic types of electrodes. The first is a natural kind, which is intrinsically within the installation, including all the metal buried like water pipes, the structure of the building (if it is effectively connected to the ground) and the reinforcing metal for concrete foundations.
The second type of electrode is a manufactured ground rod. These ground rods are installed specifically to improve the performance of the grounding system, which include mesh and mats, metallic plates, bare copper conductor, and rods directly buried in the ground.
The ground rod is the most commonly used type of electrode.
Ground Copper RodsItem No.DiameterLength
(m)Copper Coating Thickness
Nominal (mm)Nominal (mm)
InchesActual
mmR0013/417.303.00.254
R0023/417.302.40.254
R0035/814.303.00.254
R0045/8
14.302.40.254R0055/815.88
1.50.254R0065/8
15.883.00.254R0073/4
19.053.00.254