Prepare the Rod: A standard electrical ground rod must be at least 8 feet in length. Common materials are copper-clad steel or stainless steel. In most cases, this. The upper end of the rod is to be flush with or below ground level unless the aboveground end of the rod, and the grounding electrode conductor attachment is protected from physical damage. Where encountering rock bottom, the electrode may be pushed at an oblique angle not to exceed 45° from a vertical line–keeping at least 2. 44 m of its length inside the ground. The usefulness of a ground rod in dissipating electrical currents is highly dependent on soil conditions, specifically moisture and mineral composition.