681a78055c911129af21536c Dreamstime Xl 69201064

Code Q&A: Upper End of Rod Electrode Requirement

May 8, 2025

Test your knowledge of the NEC with this challenging question.

Courtesy of www.MikeHolt.com. Based on the 2023 NEC.

Question: The upper end of the rod electrode shall be _____ ground level unless the aboveground end and the grounding electrode conductor attachment are protected against physical damage as specified in Sec. 250.10.

a) no more than 1 in. above

b) no more than 2 in. above

c) no more than 3 in. above

d) flush with or below ground level

See answer below.

Answer: d) flush with or below ground level

Per Sec. 250.53(A)(4): "The upper end of the rod electrode shall be flush with or below ground level ground level unless the aboveground end and the grounding electrode conductor attachment are protected against physical damage as specified in 250.10."

These materials are provided by Mike Holt Enterprises in Leesburg, Fla. To view Code training materials offered by this company, visit www.mikeholt.com/code.

About the Author

Mike Holt

Mike Holt is the owner of Mike Holt Enterprises (www.MikeHolt.com), one of the largest electrical publishers in the United States. He earned a master's degree in the Business Administration Program (MBA) from the University of Miami. He earned his reputation as a National Electrical Code (NEC) expert by working his way up through the electrical trade. Formally a construction editor for two different trade publications, Mike started his career as an apprentice electrician and eventually became a master electrician, an electrical inspector, a contractor, and an educator. Mike has taught more than 1,000 classes on 30 different electrical-related subjects — ranging from alarm installations to exam preparation and voltage drop calculations. He continues to produce seminars, videos, books, and online training for the trade as well as contribute monthly Code content to EC&M magazine.