250.53(B) Question

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bphgravity

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250.53 basically states that the electrodes of one system are to be spaced not less than 6' from electrodes of another system. It then goes on to say that when electrodes are bonded together, they become one system. Does this mean that once I bond the electrodes of two different systems together, the 6' rule would no longer apply since I now have one system?

For example, I install a ground rod for the service and a ground rod for lightning protection. Since I plan to bond these two together, must they remain 6' apart or are they now one system?
 
Bryan
250.53(B) is essentially speaking of the electrodes from .52(A)(5)-(A)(6), which is plates, rods, pipe.

The last sentence I believe was added to help conform with 250.50 Grounding Electrode System.

Some of the changes/moving around of section numbers (.53 was not in the '99 code) are from the reorganization of Art 250 in the 2002 cycle.


The answer to your last question in my opinion is they are still two different systems, and yes they should remain at least 6 feet apart.
These two systems are bonded to help keep the potential of difference as close as possible.
 
Bryan
I see a catch-22 here at first glance.

250.53 requires electrodes of different systems to be six foot apart. and like you say goes on to define that two electrodes bonded together are one system.

But 250.58 say I must use the same electrode to ground all AC services in the bldg.

So my question would be, how or when would we be able to have two different grounding electrode systems in a building??

Since this is more than likely an old rule, I'm trying to imagine older installations, maybe outdoors where 250.53(B) could have possibly applied. Possibly services remote from a building??
 
Guys I just went through a nitemare over ground rods. Two different inspectors wanted something different. The first guy fails it and tells me what he wants, I said no problem, made the changes and called back. Another guy comes out and says he wants something different. By the time I got done I used 80 feet of 4 bare and the two panes were only 8 feet apart and water heater was only 3 feet from there. I was mad as heck. You never know who is going to come out next. I had so many wires connected it looked like a road map. I was ready for them next time though. I had a pair of side cutters ready and whatever they didn't like I was ready to cut out because I knew they couldn't what any more.
 
Larry
"250.53 requires electrodes of different systems to be six foot apart"

Where does it say "different systems"?

From what I read, 250.53(B) talks about spacing of (5) rod and pipe, and (6) plate electrodes - of which both are in section 250.52.

I also think the last sentence in .53(B) is intended mostly for clarifying 250.50, of which 250.52 would be the "different" electrodes that are required to be "bonded" together if present.
 
pierre said:
Larry
"250.53 requires electrodes of different systems to be six foot apart"

Where does it say "different systems"?
Click to expand...

That was a paraphrase

....shall not be less than 6 feet from any other electrode of another grounding system.
 
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