Code compliant grounding electrode conductor?

[Johnhall30]

Local utility requirements call for the ground to be connected to the meter socket neutral.

I interpret this install as the grounding electrode conductor originating at the panel grounding bar, and remains unspliced to the ground rods. The bare copper ground from ground bar to the meter socket is a SSBJ.

However local inspectors disagree and say this install contains a non continuous grounding electrode conductor.

Thoughts?

 

[LarryFine]

Everyone is wrong. The GEC (at least rods) should land on the meter neutral only.

The neutral should be the only grounded wire between the meter and the panel.

 

[infinity]

I interpret this install as the grounding electrode conductor originating at the panel grounding bar

There is no "grounding bar" in this panel.

The bare copper ground from ground bar to the meter socket is a SSBJ.

That wire is parallel with the neutral, is not required, and must be removed. The green wire jumper to the mounting screw is not a proper way to install the MBJ. Since there is a hub the metal service raceway does not require additional bonding.

Local utility requirements call for the ground to be connected to the meter socket neutral.

Ground is ambiguous did they actually use that word? The meter usually has the neutral factory bonded so nothing is required. As stated they probably meant the GEC.

However local inspectors disagree and say this install contains a non continuous grounding electrode conductor.

What does this mean? In the photo the GEC goes to the neutral bus which is correct.

 

[LarryFine]

I didn't even look at the picture. Yuck.

 

[infinity]

I didn't even look at the picture. Yuck.

I agree. Yuck. Among with all of the aforementioned violations the SPD conductors are just jammed under the lugs.

 

[LarryFine]

And it looks like the installer didn't realize that both bars are the neutral.

And a jumper to a mounting screw is not a proper connection to the box.

 

[infinity]

Sounds like the initial issue was the POCO wanted the GEC landed in the meter. As installed the GEC is NEC compliant and that is the least of their problems.

 

[NoahsArc]

Everyone is wrong. The GEC (at least rods) should land on the meter neutral only.

The neutral should be the only grounded wire between the meter and the panel.

If I had a G-N connection at the meter, shouldn't I then bring an EGC from the meter to the panel and set up a separate G bar there with no MBJ?

 

[CoolWill]

If I had a G-N connection at the meter, shouldn't I then bring an EGC from the meter to the panel and set up a separate G bar there with no MBJ?

You would think so, but the NEC doesn't really address the utility meter. Even if it did, the utility for some reason wants their EGC and neutral one in the same.

 

[wwhitney]

If I had a G-N connection at the meter, shouldn't I then bring an EGC from the meter to the panel and set up a separate G bar there with no MBJ?

No, as the connection in the meter is a GEC-N connection, not an N-G connection. The N-G connection is always in the service disconnect. The GEC-N connection(s) can be anywhere between the service point and the service disconnect.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[infinity]

If I had a G-N connection at the meter, shouldn't I then bring an EGC from the meter to the panel and set up a separate G bar there with no MBJ?

No. The MBJ is in the panel so the EGC and neutral bus can be one in the same. The bonded neutral in the meter enclosure is a separate requirement for equipment ahead of the service disconnect.

 

[LarryFine]

If I had a G-N connection at the meter, shouldn't I then bring an EGC from the meter to the panel and set up a separate G bar there with no MBJ?

NO. Ignore the meter, except it's a handy place to connect the electrode wire.

Otherwise, treat it as no more than a lump in the service cable like the NEC does.

 

[LarryFine]

See: https://forums.mikeholt.com/threads/mbj-at-meter.2586029/#post-2980205

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

Oh my, the inspector is only worried about GEC.

 

[hillbilly1]

Local utility requirements call for the ground to be connected to the meter socket neutral.

I interpret this install as the grounding electrode conductor originating at the panel grounding bar, and remains unspliced to the ground rods. The bare copper ground from ground bar to the meter socket is a SSBJ.

However local inspectors disagree and say this install contains a non continuous grounding electrode conductor.

Thoughts?

View attachment 2577553

It can land either place by code, but some poco’s prohibit it from being in the meter, while others want it in there, then others just don’t care where it’s at. Did the neutral bond screw get lost?

 

[Little Bill]

I deal with 5 different POCO's and all but one wants the GEC landed in the meter base. The one that doesn't, wants it at the weatherhead unless it's underground, then we can land in the meter.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Is that panel listed for use as service equipment? I have never seen one that small that was listed for use as service equipment that did not have a green screw as the main bonding jumper.

 

[pipe_bender]

The service conductors look to be aluminum.

 

[infinity]

Is that panel listed for use as service equipment? I have never seen one that small that was listed for use as service equipment that did not have a green screw as the main bonding jumper.

Looks like they lost the screw.

 

[pipe_bender]

I have seen a service like that except it was a underground, and they landed the GEC's on the neutral bar in the panel (water pipe and ground rods) then had s SSBJ go beck thru the hub to a ground bushing on the nipple in the meter can, then another ground bushing on the old rigid service lateral conduit stubbed up from the POCO. Neutral also bonded in meter can. Is that legal?