Length of earth rod

[Pandora]

I'm proposing to run a 230V electricity supply to my garage (30m from
house) using underground SWA cable.

I need a ground rod to supply the garage with a safe earth. The
salesman at Furse told me that the standard domestic rod is 3/8"
diameter x 1.2m length.

A few electrical wholesalers I've phoned, however, stock 3/8" x 4ft as
"standard". Is 4ft likely to be OK? The garage is above quite a high
water table.

Can I drive the rod straight into the soil outside the garage and
protect the top with a cover?

I'll measure the rod resistance on a dry day soon after installation.

 

[Grunff]

I'm proposing to run a 230V electricity supply to my garage (30m from
house) using underground SWA cable.

I need a ground rod to supply the garage with a safe earth. The
salesman at Furse told me that the standard domestic rod is 3/8"
diameter x 1.2m length.

A few electrical wholesalers I've phoned, however, stock 3/8" x 4ft as
"standard". Is 4ft likely to be OK? The garage is above quite a high
water table.

Can I drive the rod straight into the soil outside the garage and
protect the top with a cover?

I'll measure the rod resistance on a dry day soon after installation.

4 foot = 1.2192m - so what's the problem?

 

[Nick Brooks]

I'm proposing to run a 230V electricity supply to my garage (30m from
house) using underground SWA cable.

I need a ground rod to supply the garage with a safe earth. The
salesman at Furse told me that the standard domestic rod is 3/8"
diameter x 1.2m length.

4 feet = 1.2192 meter

A few electrical wholesalers I've phoned, however, stock 3/8" x 4ft as
"standard". Is 4ft likely to be OK? The garage is above quite a high
water table.

Should be OK

Can I drive the rod straight into the soil outside the garage and
protect the top with a cover?

possibly not if your soil is really hard/stony in which case you'll have
to dig

 

[Pandora]

4 foot = 1.2192m - so what's the problem?

Doh!!! How stupid do I feel?

Hope my family and friends never come across this thread.

 

[troubleinstore]

Doh!!! How stupid do I feel?

Hope my family and friends never come across this thread.

Nah, don't worry about it. Even the so called professionals make
mistakes and boy, have I seen some.