200 amper service GEC and water bond

[mbrooke]

Has the code always required a 200amp 120/240 4/0AL dwelling type service to have a #6cu/#4AL gec and a #4CU/#2AL cold water bond?

Im looking at the 2011 code but cant find anything prior.

 

[suemarkp]

No, the code requires a #4 cu or #2 Al for both (table 250.66 is used for both of those requirements). However, if the ground electrode happens to be a rod, then that portion of the electrode system doesn't have to be larger than #6 cu. If rods are the only electrode in the system, then #6 cu could be used for the entire ground electrode conductor.

 

[tom baker]

And the size of the GEC has no relationship to the size of overcurrent device, its based on the size of the ungrounded conductors.

You could, for example have a 20 ampere service with a 2 AWG ungrounded conductors.