2 Dwellings on one property, bigger residence feeds 2nd residence with 100 amp 2 p breaker and 4 conductor buried feeder , Question

[macmikeman]

So this is what I have always considered "outside branch circuit and feeders, Article 225 of the NEC. In which case I put a 100 amp 2 pole service rated disconnecting means ( breaker enclosure with 2 pole 100 a breaker also) on the second building which I just wired. I did not bond between the grounded bus and the equipment grounding bus and inspector Is basically telling me I need to bond that once again at the outside disconnect on the building. I didn't want to get into a big argument with him although I did keep saying it is a 4 wire feeder, and the bond between neutral and ground happens in the first building. He says the 2nd building falls under 230 not 225. I disagree. Mind you 2nd building has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, laundry, living room , kitchen , and lanai. I think he is wrong . I think I just need a "service rated " disconnecting means on the exterior side of the smaller house, and a single ground rod and #6 bare copper run to it from the above mentioned disconnecting means, and no neutral to ground bonding anywhere in that smaller house, interior 100 amp lugs only panel included. Also I am under the impression I don't have to create a water pipe gec for this 2nd house , although I made a bond to the water piping system from my panel to the pipes nearby at the water heater using bare #6 cu. Who's right, Me or Him?

 

[LarryFine]

You, mostly. The incoming neutral should be left entirely unbonded. The entire feeder, disconnect, and panel should be wired like any sub-panel installation. The grounding rod (should be two, actually) and water-pipe bond should all be made to the EGC.

 

[macmikeman]

You, mostly. The incoming neutral should be left entirely unbonded. The entire feeder, disconnect, and panel should be wired like any sub-panel installation. The grounding rod (should be two, actually) and water-pipe bond should all be made to the EGC.

Thanks Larry, it is actually what I thought. They don't push the second rod around here, but anytime my magnetic tip gets close to our dirt it gathers a fairly good wad of soil due to our iron quantity in our dirt. Maybe that's why........

 

[macmikeman]

I hope the Good Lord will forgive me for today, I was so angry at failing a rough in when I knew I was in the right on it. It might not have showed to anybody, but I was seething inside and that isn't what I wan't to be like. Before the sun goes down I want to make sure to forgive the well meaning inspector.

 

[Joethemechanic]

I hope the Good Lord will forgive me for today, I was so angry at failing a rough in when I knew I was in the right on it. It might not have showed to anybody, but I was seething inside and that isn't what I wan't to be like. Before the sun goes down I want to make sure to forgive the well meaning inspector.

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

 

[tortuga]

Planet macmikeman keep the 4-wire and at the 2nd dwelling unit disconnect.
#6 to the two ground rods as Larry mentioned, metal water pipe bond is sized per 250.104 -> Table 250.102(C)(1), probably still a #6 for you.

 

[electrofelon]

I hope the Good Lord will forgive me for today, I was so angry at failing a rough in when I knew I was in the right on it. It might not have showed to anybody, but I was seething inside and that isn't what I wan't to be like. Before the sun goes down I want to make sure to forgive the well meaning inspector.

I am having a hard time having any sympathy for the inspector. Seems like incredibly basic stuff he was off base on. Like I think they teach that in kindergarten.

 

[Doc13067]

So this is what I have always considered "outside branch circuit and feeders, Article 225 of the NEC. In which case I put a 100 amp 2 pole service rated disconnecting means ( breaker enclosure with 2 pole 100 a breaker also) on the second building which I just wired. I did not bond between the grounded bus and the equipment grounding bus and inspector Is basically telling me I need to bond that once again at the outside disconnect on the building. I didn't want to get into a big argument with him although I did keep saying it is a 4 wire feeder, and the bond between neutral and ground happens in the first building. He says the 2nd building falls under 230 not 225. I disagree. Mind you 2nd building has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, laundry, living room , kitchen , and lanai. I think he is wrong . I think I just need a "service rated " disconnecting means on the exterior side of the smaller house, and a single ground rod and #6 bare copper run to it from the above mentioned disconnecting means, and no neutral to ground bonding anywhere in that smaller house, interior 100 amp lugs only panel included. Also I am under the impression I don't have to create a water pipe gec for this 2nd house , although I made a bond to the water piping system from my panel to the pipes nearby at the water heater using bare #6 cu. Who's right, Me or Him?

Just tell him Larry Fine agrees with you. In my few short years here he’s never been wrong. But yes this is really basic stuff. Is the enclosure at the second building the main service disconnect? If not then bonding would actually create objectionable current and your ECGs would be like a double lugged neutral lol. I don’t understand what got into this guy and why he doesn’t see that.

 

[augie47]

"Just tell him Larry Fine agrees with you"
I bet that will go along way (meaning no insult to Larry)/
Brought back memories of my much young days when I told an inspector that I had installed something according to the NEC Hnadbook by Joseph McPartland who, at that time, was well known. I got a "who?" from the inspector and then "well have him come sign off and see if you get power"......
That said, your inspector is wrong I would definitely appeal his decision to hopefully prevent future similar calls by him.

 

[electrofelon]

Just tell him Larry Fine agrees with you. In my few short years here he’s never been wrong.

Larry thought he was wrong once, but turns out he was mistaken.

 

[Joethemechanic]

But just think how happy the electrons are having so many choices of paths to get back home. They can take the neutral, or the grounding conductor, or the earth, or even the plumbing

 

[Doc13067]

But just think how happy the electrons are having so many choices of paths to get back home. They can take the neutral, or the grounding conductor, or the earth, or even the plumbing

Yup, depending on traffic waze will tell them if the bridge is up on the water pipe or there was an accident on the neutral, etc. What an unbelievable thing for an inspector to call for.