I have a 400 amp heavy up going on and I have a few questions about grounding... I have 2 outdoor main disconnect switches and it has been a few years since I have done multiple disconnects. What is the code for ground rods? I know I need two but I'm having a hard time finding how it should be ran, does the #6 only need to hit one disconnect or does it need to loop thru both disconnects? Cold water grounding also, what is the code as far as where to land it. Any help with this would be much appreciated...
400 amp service
- Thread starter eddie722
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
If the poco allows come out of the meter otherwise both panels need a wire to the rods and water pipe.
jetlag
Senior Member
- Location
- Eatonton, Georgia
I use 2 rods , a number #4 connects to one disconnect as usual, then a #4 jumper from the other disconnect is connected to the first #4 with a split bolt connector.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
I would run main GEC to one disconnect - take your pick which one - make a tap from main GEC to other disconnect, and make a tap from GEC to ground rod(s)
As mentioned see 250.64(D), you have 3 choices of how to do it, this is choice #1
As mentioned see 250.64(D), you have 3 choices of how to do it, this is choice #1
jetlag
Senior Member
- Location
- Eatonton, Georgia
I got flagged one time for connecting the gec to a cold water pipe into the disconnect with the gec for the ground rods, inspector said I was parallelling the gec. He wanted it taken off or tapped in at the last ground rod with a split bolt 
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
I got flagged one time for connecting the gec to a cold water pipe into the disconnect with the gec for the ground rods, inspector said I was parallelling the gec. He wanted it taken off or tapped in at the last ground rod with a split bolt
How is that paralleling? Parallel conductors are physically connected to each other at each end of the conductor.
You do have parallel paths through grounded objects and the earth but that is the intent and you will still have that with his method also.
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