2005 NEC Article 250.120 B

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aksparky

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This article says that an aluminum grounding conductor cannot be terminated within 18 inches of the earth.

Is a splice regarded as a termination theres no definition in code?

What if the splice if inside a junction box or handhole?

I need to make a splice in an aluminum grounding conductor and transition from type USE Cabe to XHHW thats why I am asking.
 

aksparky

Member
Sorry for any confusion.

I need to splice the grounded conductor and equipment grounding conductor and transition from type use to xhhw to enter a building.

I am not sure if by me splicing the conductor if I will be in violation of 250.120B.

Thanks
 

aksparky

Member
Trying to be as clear as I can here, I want to run direct burial in a ditch then hit a junction box that has a conduit leaving going into a building this is where I will need to make the transition.
 

Dennis Alwon

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You can splice aluminum cable underground with the proper underground spice kits. You cannot splice or use bare aluminum conductors underground.
 
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Dennis Alwon

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I have been reading 250.120(B) and I think this needs work. As I read this a termination could be looked at as a splice but I don't think that is the intent. If a termination is a splice then you could not splice aluminum underground or in a JB below 18" of grade. I am sure this is not what this article means.

We ran into this argument before as to whether a splice is a termination-- Well it does terminate one wire-- maybe there should be a definition of termination. What do you all think.


250.120(B) Aluminum and Copper-Clad Aluminum Conductors.
Equipment grounding conductors of bare or insulated aluminum or copper-clad aluminum shall be permitted. Bare conductors shall not come in direct contact with masonry or the earth or where subject to corrosive conditions. Aluminum
or copper-clad aluminum conductors shall not be terminated within 450 mm (18 in.) of the earth.
 

jxofaltrds

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I have been reading 250.120(B) and I think this needs work. As I read this a termination could be looked at as a splice but I don't think that is the intent. If a termination is a splice then you could not splice aluminum underground or in a JB below 18" of grade. I am sure this is not what this article means.

We ran into this argument before as to whether a splice is a termination-- Well it does terminate one wire-- maybe there should be a definition of termination. What do you all think.

To me a splice is a continuation. A termination is an end.
 

Dennis Alwon

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To me a splice is a continuation. A termination is an end.

I realize that we will have different feelings on this. I agree with you however, as I recall, not everyone here agrees. Hence my reason for a definition. I wish I could remember the other situation.
 

Dennis Alwon

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After scanning thru the thousands of times termination is used in the code I can only say that a termination is the end point. So is a wire that is dead ended with a wire nut a termination. (maybe that was the argument).:)
 

dcl34769

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The way I see it, if it is an enclosed j-box there is no problem because there is a box between earth and the conductors.
If this is a bottomless box then the earth "bottom" must be at least 18in away from the joint, and if you install a bottomless box right it would have gravel in the bottom anyway.
 

jxofaltrds

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The way I see it, if it is an enclosed j-box there is no problem because there is a box between earth and the conductors.
If this is a bottomless box then the earth "bottom" must be at least 18in away from the joint, and if you install a bottomless box right it would have gravel in the bottom anyway.

Using your logic the box would need to be 36+" wide.
 

Smart $

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After scanning thru the thousands of times termination is used in the code I can only say that a termination is the end point. So is a wire that is dead ended with a wire nut a termination. (maybe that was the argument).:)
IMO, a wire-conductor termination is when a wire is connected to any conductor other than another wire. Connection of a wire to one or more other wires is a splice or tap.

IMO, a single wire end isolated with a wire nut is an unused conductor and for NEC purposes is not terminated.

I agree with the need for either refinement of the term's usage, or a definition. Another word that seems to be used a multitude of times is "connected" and its variations.
 

Smart $

Esteemed Member
Location
Ohio
The way I see it, if it is an enclosed j-box there is no problem because there is a box between earth and the conductors.
If this is a bottomless box then the earth "bottom" must be at least 18in away from the joint, and if you install a bottomless box right it would have gravel in the bottom anyway.
While I agree there should be leniency for such a termination (or splice, tap) being protected against the effects of earth, there isn't any as presently worded.

As for the gravel you mentioned, I believe that would still be considered earth. Just because it came from somewhere else and has been screened and washed, does not change its constitution. ;)
 

jxofaltrds

Inspector Mike®
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IMO, a wire-conductor termination is when a wire is connected to any conductor other than another wire. Connection of a wire to one or more other wires is a splice or tap.

IMO, a single wire end isolated with a wire nut is an unused conductor and for NEC purposes is not terminated.

I agree with the need for either refinement of the term's usage, or a definition. Another word that seems to be used a multitude of times is "connected" and its variations.

So if it is not terminated or spliced it meets the exception in 300.14?
 

Dennis Alwon

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So if it is not terminated or spliced it meets the exception in 300.14?

Now that is the article that created the stir I talked about earlier. Thanks. The consensus was that the exception had to do with a wire that passed thru a box.

Smart, I agree with your interpretation but as I said, and you said, it is not clear. A wire that ends- connected to nothing -- in a jb would have to be 18" above grade. I believe that is NOT the intent of this section.

I believe this section is talking about termination to a piece of equipment or perhaps a ground bar.
 
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