What is the maximum distance allowed between ground rods placed at corners?

• A. 5-7 ft
• B. 10-15 ft
• C. 20-25 ft
• D. 30-40 ft

Answer: (B)

Grounding at a telecom site relies on a network of electrodes that are bonded together so they act as one low-impedance path to earth. Placing ground rods at the corners and tying them into a common grounding path works best when the rods are kept within a moderate distance from each other. Ten to fifteen feet apart is the practical maximum because it keeps the rods within the same soil mass and maintains a low impedance path for fault currents and surge energy. If the corners’ rods are spaced farther apart, the impedance rises, making potential differences more likely between corners during faults or lightning events, which can reduce protection effectiveness and complicate testing. Keeping them within ten to fifteen feet also supports a robust bonding network around the perimeter. Spacing them much closer isn’t necessary for performance and can increase corrosion risk without added benefit, while spacing beyond fifteen feet tends to degrade the grounding system’s effectiveness.