How Deep Should a Grounding Rod Be?

By Staff WriterLast Updated March 31, 2020

A grounding rod needs to be inserted 8 feet deep when placed vertically or 2.5 feet deep horizontally. It should only be installed horizontally if there are too many rocks to dig 8 feet deep.

Grounding rods are connected to a house’s electrical circuit and are used to redirect the extra current caused by a short circuit. The extra current caused by a short circuit could potentially cause a fire, but the grounding rod prevents fires by dissipating the extra current into the ground. It is important that grounding rods are properly installed and connected to the house’s electrical circuit.