On Mon, 11 Jun 2007 21:09:08 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:

The furnace has both a neutral and a ground. I know -- I checked.
Is 8 foot the standard? I was in Home Cheepo last night, and they
do sell 8 foot ground rods. Is a shorter rod acceptable? Eight
feet sounds like a lot of sledge hammer work.

Sledge hammering a ground rod above your head is a great way to get
hurt. I've done it. After that I learned that they make T-post
drivers. Much safer and easier. You only need the hammer for the
last 18 inches or so. Yes, you really should use an 8 footer. Shorter
ones are for tv antennas, electric fence grounds, and other oddball
stuff.