Original Version

Rule 59.4-A

59.4-A.    Material and Size

1)    Grounding Conductors: The grounding conductor from each ground electrode to the base of pole shall be not less than 1 foot below the surface of the ground and shall have not less conductivity and mechanical strength than No. 1 AWG medium-hard-drawn stranded copper.  From the No. 1 AWG or larger conductor to the common neutral line conductor, the grounding conductor shall be continuous without splices and shall be not less than No. 4 AWG copper.

2)    Grounding Electrodes: Ground electrodes on common neutral systems shall be one-piece corrosion-resisting metal rods or pipes (or equivalent in physical and electrical properties) not less than 5/8 inch in diameter by 8 feet in length and driven to a minimum depth of 8 feet below the surface of the ground.  Pole-butt plates or wrappings shall not be used either in lieu of the aforesaid rods or pipes or as electrodes supplementary thereto.

The driven ground rod, pipe, or equivalent shall be located not less than 2 feet from the surface of the pole.  Where two or more such rods are installed, they shall be located at not less than 6-foot centers and separation required from the surface of the pole shall not be held to apply to the connection between rods.

Strikeout and Underline Version

Rule 59.4-A

59.4-A.    Material and Size

1)    Grounding Conductors: The grounding conductor from each ground electrode to the base of pole shall be not less than 1 foot below the surface of the ground and shall have not less conductivity and mechanical strength than No. 1 AWG medium-hard-drawn stranded copper.  From the No. 1 AWG or larger conductor to the common neutral line conductor, the grounding conductor shall be continuous without splices and shall be not less than No. 4 AWG copper.  the grounding conductor from the base of the pole to the common neutral line conductor. The grounding conductor to the common neutral line conductor shall be continuous  unless suitable electrical compression connections are used and shall be not less than No. 4 AWG cooper.

2)    Grounding Electrodes: Ground electrodes on common neutral systems shall be one-piece corrosion-resisting metal rods or pipes (or equivalent in physical and electrical properties) not less than 5/8 inch in diameter by 8 feet in length and driven to a minimum depth of 8 feet below the surface of the ground.  Pole-butt plates or wrappings shall not be used either in lieu of the aforesaid rods or pipes or as electrodes supplementary thereto.

On branch circuits extending from the grid where return metallic paths arc not available, the driven ground rod, pipe, or equivalent shall be located not less than 2 feet 24 inches from the surface of the pole.  Where two or more such rods are installed, they shall be located at not less than 6-foot centers and separation required from the surface of the pole shall not be held to apply to the connection between rods.

Final Version

Rule 59.4-A

59.4-A.    Material and Size

1)    Grounding Conductors: The grounding conductor from each ground electrode to the base of pole shall be not less than 1 foot below the surface of the ground and shall have not less conductivity and mechanical strength than the grounding conductor from the base of the pole to the common neutral line conductor. The grounding conductor to the common neutral line conductor shall be continuous  unless suitable electrical compression connections are used and shall be not less than No. 4 AWG cooper.

2)    Grounding Electrodes: Ground electrodes on common neutral systems shall be one-piece corrosion-resisting metal rods or pipes (or equivalent in physical and electrical properties) not less than 5/8 inch in diameter by 8 feet in length and driven to a minimum depth of 8 feet below the surface of the ground.  Pole-butt plates or wrappings shall not be used either in lieu of the aforesaid rods or pipes or as electrodes supplementary thereto.

On branch circuits extending from the grid where return metallic paths arc not available, the driven ground rod, pipe, or equivalent shall be located not less than 24 inches from the surface of the pole.  Where two or more such rods are installed, they shall be located at not less than 6-foot centers and separation required from the surface of the pole shall not be held to apply to the connection between rods.