What is the maximum angle for driving ground rods when rock is encountered?

The maximum angle for driving ground rods when encountering rock is 45°. This angle is significant because it strikes a balance between effectively penetrating the ground to make contact with the earth while also ensuring structural integrity and stability for the ground rod. Driving a rod at too steep of an angle, such as 60° or 90°, can make it difficult to establish proper ground connection due to increased friction and resistive forces from the surrounding material.

A 45° angle allows for better alignment with the potential flow of electricity and is also easier to manage in terms of equipment and physical effort when driving the rod. Additionally, this angle helps to ensure that the grounding electrode effectively connects with the grounding system and provides the necessary safety and performance standards required for electrical installations.