Ground in seperate conduit.

[Chamblee]

I am pricing making an existing office space into a dermatology clinic. We will have to replace the existing receptacles with hospital grade in the treatment areas. The problem is the bulding is over 40 years old and the conduit is the only ground. The panrel doesnt have a geound either. Would it be okay to add a ground to the panel through a seperate conduit?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

The conduit is a ground if it is metal however if you need an isolated ground then that is another story. art 300.3(B) requires all conductors of the circuit to be routed in the same raceway,etc

 

[Ponchik]

You can install an EGC through the existing conduit, if you want.

 

[roger]

We will have to replace the existing receptacles with hospital grade in the treatment areas.

Per the NEC you don't have to but you can. The only place they are required are at patient bed locatons and Anesthetizing rooms 517.18(B)(2), 517.19(B)(2), and 517.61(C)(2)

The problem is the bulding is over 40 years old and the conduit is the only ground. The panrel doesnt have a geound either. Would it be okay to add a ground to the panel through a seperate conduit?

You will have to comply with 517.13(A) and (B) as well as the aforementioned 300.3(B)


Note the definiition of Patient Bed Location

Patient Bed Location. The location of a patient sleeping bed, or the bed or procedure table of a critical care area. [99:3.3.137]

Roger

 

[Chamblee]

Would Art 250.130 let me run the ground in a separate raceway?

 

[roger]

Would Art 250.130 let me run the ground in a separate raceway?

Not in this case, there is no way around 517.13.

Why can't you just pull new conductors and an insulated EGC in the existing conduits?

Roger

 

[Chamblee]

Why can't you just pull new conductors and an insulated EGC in the existing conduits?

I afraid the old conductor will be a pain to get out. I am just adding a new panel on the floor in the mechanical room, so I want have any issues with anything. Thanks for the replies everyone.