250.68 (C) (2)

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AKsparky1

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I'm a little confused about when you can use building steel as a GEC. I have a steel conex sitting on timbers on the ground. I do not have a separately derived system in the conex but I do have a panel with an EGC in the feeder. Can I run a GEC from the panel to a beam inside the conex and then attach a GEC to the outside steel framing of the conex to bond the conex to an electrode or does the GEC need to be continuous?
 
ActionDave said:
Back up and look at 250.52. Does the steel in your steel conex sitting on timbers qualify as a grounding electrode?
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No it doesn't but I'm not using it as an electrode. I'm using the building steel as a GEC. My GEC (#2 copper wire) from the panel is not continuous to the grounding electrode. I'm attaching the GEC from the panel to the steel inside then attaching a GEC outside to an approved grounding electrode. I'm asking if the code intends the GEC to be continuous from the panel to the electrode or can I use the building steel as part of the path to the electrode?
 
AKsparky1 said:
No it doesn't but I'm not using it as an electrode. I'm using the building steel as a GEC. My GEC (#2 copper wire) from the panel is not continuous to the grounding electrode. I'm attaching the GEC from the panel to the steel inside then attaching a GEC outside to an approved grounding electrode. I'm asking if the code intends the GEC to be continuous from the panel to the electrode or can I use the building steel as part of the path to the electrode?
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Good luck with that.
 
It seems that drilling a single 1/4" hole for the GEC would easier than bolting two lugs to the container box. Bolting the panel itself to the container should suffice for bonding it.
 
jaggedben said:
It would take me as much time to run 8ft of GEC as it would to look this up in the code for a definitive answer.
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Yes it would however it is already done this way. It appears by reading 250.68 (C) (2) and by reviewing Mike Holts code change DVD that when attatching to a beam and the hold down bolts are tied to an electrode that the building steel can be used as a Grounding Electrode Conductor. This conex has a electrode attached to it via bolted connection.
 
AKsparky1 said:
Yes it would however it is already done this way. It appears by reading 250.68 (C) (2) and by reviewing Mike Holts code change DVD that when attatching to a beam and the hold down bolts are tied to an electrode that the building steel can be used as a Grounding Electrode Conductor. This conex has a electrode attached to it via bolted connection.
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True, but only if the building steel qualifies as a grounding electrode. Your building steel is sitting on timbers - not a qualifying electrode.

You were told in post 2 to go to 250.52 and see if your building steel is a qualifying electrode - which you seem to wish to ignore the fact that it isn't.

From 250.52:

(2) Metal Frame of the Building or Structure.
The metal frame of the building or structure that is connected to the earth by one or more of the following methods:


At least one structural metal member that is in direct contact with the earth for 3.0 m (10 ft) or more, with or without concrete encasement.


Hold-down bolts securing the structural steel column that are connected to a concrete-encased electrode that complies with 250.52(A)(3) and is located in the support footing or foundation. The hold-down bolts shall be connected to the concrete-encased electrode by welding, exothermic welding, the usual steel tie wires, or other approved means
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Again sitting on timbers doesn't make your steel structure a qualifying electrode.
 
Similar Situation Piggyback Question

Similar Situation Piggyback Question

I have a HAZMAT container sitting on concrete 3' from the building that feeds its panel board for lighting and fan power . The panel board has a 4 wire feeder from the building next to it with EGC installed. Can I run the GEC to the building steel even though it is not the "building or structure being served" per 250.50 or do I need to add its own grounding electrode?
 
czarjam said:
I have a HAZMAT container sitting on concrete 3' from the building that feeds its panel board for lighting and fan power . The panel board has a 4 wire feeder from the building next to it with EGC installed. Can I run the GEC to the building steel even though it is not the "building or structure being served" per 250.50 or do I need to add its own grounding electrode?
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I tried to move this but please start a new post. Tom
 
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