Bill,
I can't figure out what good those ground rods are going to do unless they get bonded to the buildings grounding electrode system.
I don't see anything in article 426 that prevents splicing. If the manufacturer makes a splice kit, then a splice would definitely be allowed 426-10
Visit the following for more
http://raychem.broaddaylight.com/raychem/TFAQ9.shtm Tom
[This message has been edited by Tom (edited 04-14-2001).]