From: frankg 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: #5 rebar  near bottom of footing for grounding?
Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2003 22:47:38 -0600

>On 29 Oct 2003 13:28:06 -0800, robertandsusan@fastmail.fm (Robert) wrote:

>Building a new house near Ocala, Florida (sandy soil) my elec.
>contractor said whole house earth grounding was accomplished via using
>25ft. of #5 rebar near the bottom of the house footing. Is this
>sufficient or should there also be about 20ft. of copper rod (need to
>get down to damp soil - right?) driven down into the soil.  Could both
>be used - tied together?
>
>Thanks

I never heard of this but I've seen a 10 foot minimum length copper
1/2"  diameter bar driven straight down into the soil with ground wire
attached at top.