Question 1

Does a ground rod protect my house from lightning?

Accepted Answer

It gives a strike a path into the earth and helps stabilize voltage, but a ground rod alone is not a lightning shield and won't save your electronics. Ask your electrician about whole-house surge protection — different product, different job.

Question 2

How many ground rods does a house need?

Accepted Answer

The Code says a single rod, pipe, or plate electrode has to be supplemented by an additional electrode unless it tests at 25 ohms or less to earth (NEC 250.53(A)(2)). In practice, almost nobody field-tests, so electricians drive two rods at least six feet apart (NEC 250.56) and call it done. Two rods is the normal, expected answer.

Question 3

Why didn't my breaker trip?

Accepted Answer

Because tripping is the bonding system's job, not the grounding electrode's. The breaker trips when the equipment grounding conductor gives fault current a low-impedance path back to the source. If that path is broken, corroded, or missing, the breaker just sits there — which is exactly why a ground rod alone never made anything safe.

Question 4

Can I drive my own ground rod?

Accepted Answer

No. Between driving eight feet of rod, making the connection, and landing the conductor in the panel, there's licensed work at every step — and a poorly done rod gives you the worst of both worlds: false confidence and a real hazard. Call a Pro.

Question 5

My house has 2-prong outlets everywhere. Is that a grounding problem?

Accepted Answer

Probably a bonding one, technically — those circuits likely have no equipment ground at all. It's common in older Westbank and Eastbank homes. Some fixes are simple. Guessing isn't one of them.

On the Westbank, Grounding Is the Thing Nobody Checks (Until Something Goes Wrong)

Your essential resource for safe and effective electrical grounding.

Westbank Home Grounding Guide

The rod, the wire, and what they're actually for

The pro point: the ground rod can't trip your breaker

Why this looks different in South Louisiana

What bad grounding looks like — without opening anything

Grounding questions we hear around the shop

Does a ground rod protect my house from lightning?

How many ground rods does a house need?

Why didn't my breaker trip?

Can I drive my own ground rod?

My house has 2-prong outlets everywhere. Is that a grounding problem?

When You Need a Pro, Call ABest Pros

Sources

On the Westbank, Grounding Is the Thing Nobody Checks (Until Something Goes Wrong)

Your essential resource for safe and effective electrical grounding.

Westbank Home Grounding Guide

The rod, the wire, and what they're actually for

The pro point: the ground rod can't trip your breaker

Why this looks different in South Louisiana

What bad grounding looks like — without opening anything

Grounding questions we hear around the shop

Question

Does a ground rod protect my house from lightning?

Question

How many ground rods does a house need?

Question

Why didn't my breaker trip?

Question

Can I drive my own ground rod?

Question

My house has 2-prong outlets everywhere. Is that a grounding problem?

When You Need a Pro, Call ABest Pros

Sources