A ground rod must be a minimum of how many feet in length?

The minimum length for a ground rod is 8 feet. This standard is established by the National Electrical Code (NEC), which outlines requirements for grounding and bonding in electrical systems. The purpose of the grounding rod is to ensure safety by providing a low-resistance path to the ground, which helps to disperse electrical surges or faults. An 8-foot length is generally considered adequate to achieve this grounding effectiveness in most soil conditions. Shorter rods may not provide sufficient grounding capabilities, especially in areas with high soil resistivity. Therefore, using an 8-foot ground rod helps to ensure the safety and performance of electrical installations.