UK Installing earth rods should be totally buried

[Ziggie]

I read a couple of references to ground rods and both stated that they must be buried in the ground but one said 3 inches visible and the other said less than 12 inches visible.
I thought they had to be fully buried and even covered .

Please confirm I’m correct z(for once!)

 

[James]

The end of the rod needs to be above ground for connection to be inspected and serviced.

buried in the ground is a poor choice of phrase, it suggests that you can lay them in a shallow trench and back fill.

they should be driven to a depth with some exposed rod to connect to.

 

[Ziggie]

Thanks for replies. I thought that if the rod is at ground level then the voltage could be as high as 25 volts 2.5-3 metres from the rod ( a danger to animals ) etc. I thought that it needed to be in a pit with inspection cover.

And I agree that buried was not a good choice of wording. ( driven into the ground is better)

 

[Petej999]

I read a couple of references to ground rods and both stated that they must be buried in the ground but one said 3 inches visible and the other said less than 12 inches visible.
I thought they had to be fully buried and even covered .

Please confirm I’m correct z(for once!)

Had these rods been installed, inspected tested in the correct manner using the correct testing equipment??

 

[Ziggie]

Had these rods been installed, inspected tested in the correct manner using the correct testing equipment??

These cases were documented but they didn’t say whether they were inspected.
I realise that this would be done though one of the cases was not in the u.k.

 

[DefyG]

If driving a 1000mm rod in 300mm gives a reliable Ze then nothing wrong with leaving 700mm sticking out (not that anyone would leave it like that ....... would they?) ...... certainly seen some 200-300mm above ground though!
As post #2 though the end termination must be accessible for inspection/testing, in a readily available box.

 

[Macsamillion]

As others say the connection needs to be exposed for inspection and testing. We use something like this

Lightweight Concrete Earth Pit

Can be used for most types of earthing and lightning protection installations

www.cef.co.uk