Would there be problem with bending the ground rod of a residential transformer at the half-way point at installation? (i.e. the eight foot rod would only go four feet underground, the other four feet would be horizontal) If so, why?
Yes, there'd be a problem.
Why? Because it would violate code, for one. For second, if you've only got 4 feet of it "down where it belongs", then you're probably not hitting the permanently moist earth that a ground rod is supposed to be embedded in, which increases your ground resistance, and reduces its effectiveness. Exactly how much of an effect is dependent on too many variables for me to make a prediction, but the effects are pretty well guaranteed to be "not on the plus side of the ledger".
Just sink it the way it's supposed to be sunk. You (and anybody that ends up with the building after you, if it survives that long) won't be sorry you went to that small amount of extra effort.
-- Don Bruder - dakidd@sonic.net
Maybe not. I've heard that in some states its imposible to go straight down, because the bedrock table is like 4' down! There they are allowed to go horizontal! You may have to sink two rods, and maintain less than 25 ohms between the rods. Check your local code!
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