250.64(e)

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JohnJ0906

JohnJ0906

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When installing a GEC in a ferrous metal raceway, we are required to bond the raceway. How does this apply to #8 armored? I did a service upgrade, and replaced the GEC to the incoming water, and removed the original #8 with the AC style armor. It occured to me that the ends of the armor were just stripped back and the copper terminated each end. Is there a fitting to bond the ends? This is the only way I've ever seen this stuff terminated and I wonder if it is a violation.
 
And, at the water line end, there's a special water bond clamp used for armored ground wire:

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And, I suppose that the Kenny Clamp might do an acceptable job at the panel end, although I don't know if it's been investigated for such use:

kennyclampinstalledcloseup.jpg


I like the idea of the BX connector with a bond bushing (heck, even without a bond bushing), but I've never seen an actual BX connector rated for single conductor armored ground wire. The cable range seems to start at 14-2.
 
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I've never actually INSTALLED this, I see it in older houses, and when doing a panel change or upgrade, I redo grounding/bonding as a matter of course.
 
JohnJ0906 said:
I've never actually INSTALLED this, I see it in older houses, and when doing a panel change or upgrade, I redo grounding/bonding as a matter of course.
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I would like to buy armored ground wire, but the last time I checked I had to buy a whole master reel. That's way more ground wire than I buy at a time. I normally only buy the 25lb. spools. I don't know how much must be on a master reel of #4 armored solid copper. 1000 feet?
 
chris kennedy said:
Hey Marc, you say your a service guy. What do you need this for?
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Services! :grin:

Service changes are bread-and-butter work for a service electrician. Try to get a construction EC to do a service upgrade on your old Victorian.
 
JohnJ0906 said:
It occured to me that the ends of the armor were just stripped back and the copper terminated each end. Is there a fitting to bond the ends? This is the only way I've ever seen this stuff terminated and I wonder if it is a violation.
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Would you be required to bond both ends?
 
infinity said:
Would you be required to bond both ends?
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yes see 250.92(A)(3) Any metallic raceway or armor enclosing a grounding electrode conductor as specified in 250.64(B). Bonding shall apply at each end and to all intervening raceways, boxes, and enclosures between the service equipment and the grounding electrode.
 
Originally Posted by JohnJ0906
It occured to me that the ends of the armor were just stripped back and the copper terminated each end. Is there a fitting to bond the ends? This is the only way I've ever seen this stuff terminated and I wonder if it is a violation.
Click to expand...

Would you be required to bond both ends?



jwelectric said:
yes see 250.92(A)(3) Any metallic raceway or armor enclosing a grounding electrode conductor as specified in 250.64(B). Bonding shall apply at each end and to all intervening raceways, boxes, and enclosures between the service equipment and the grounding electrode.
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The reason I asked the questions is because the raceway is permitted to be bonded to the GEC by virtue of a bonding jumper to the grounded conductor bus. It is not required to physically connect the GEC to the raceway where it enters the panel. A properly sized bonding jumper from a bonding bushing connected to the raceway and terminated on the grounded bus is permitted.
 
Perhaps more to the point of my question, would be- when did this requirement enter the NEC? I've never installed the bare-wire-in-armor as a GEC, I've just removed it during panel changes/upgrades. Was this compliant when installed? (1940s-50s I think).
My boss likes new grounding and bonding even if the original is still in good shape and correctly sized. He wants to make 100% sure it's good.
 
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