RUS borrowers shall install effectively grounded driven ground rods (assembly H1. 1) a maximum of 1,320 feet (433 meters) apart along overhead distribution lines. Grounding is a mechanism to protect distribution equipment and people under normal operating conditions, abnormal operational (overcurrent and overvoltage) responses, and hazardous conditions such as shocks. Equipment Protection: Grounding protects substation. Repeated grounding means that in a system where the neutral point is directly grounded, a metal wire is used to connect the grounding device at one or more places on the neutral main line. 26 mm 2 (10 AWG) ground wire must be used, and in all other markets a 6 mm 2 must be used.
