According to NESC can I used covered conductor for grounding on steel poles?

[caballerito]

According to NESC can I used covered conductor for grounding on steel poles?, I'm checking NESC 2023 but cannot find specific information about this question. Thanks

 

[tom baker]

Not many here know what the NESC is or have a copy, but I am always surprised by breath of knowledge here

 

[caballerito]

I wanna make clear that I am talking about the conductor used between the equipment, the pole and the ground rod.

 

[petersonra]

I wanna make clear that I am talking about the conductor used between the equipment, the pole and the ground rod.

why are you grounding a pole in the first place?

 

[caballerito]

why are you grounding a pole in the first place?

I'm talking about distribution poles, all equipment, arresters, metal part shall be grounded following NESC standards and local codes, not sure now if I am in the right place to get an answer.

 

[curt swartz]

I can't answer your question but your profile states your are in California. If so CA does not use the NESC. It has its own "codes" GO95 and GO128.

 

[caballerito]

I can't answer your question but your profile states your are in California. If so CA does not use the NESC. It has its own "codes" GO95 and GO128.

I work for a company that operates on 6 states including California, this question is specific to NESC and not related to GO95

 

[electrofelon]

I admit I am not familiar with the NESC, but why do you think there would be a restriction? Are you thinking grounding conductors would need to be fully insulated? Just about every pole ground I see is covered, and I highly doubt insulated.

 

[tom baker]

In the NEC grounding conductors can be bare or insulated for most applications. Not sure about the NESC

 

[Hv&Lv]

According to NESC can I used covered conductor for grounding on steel poles?, I'm checking NESC 2023 but cannot find specific information about this question. Thanks

Yes. We do it every day.
Started to do it to try to hide copper because of theft about 10 years ago.
Now copper clad steel is becoming the norm on wood distribution poles.
Covered conductors for grounding also can be a benefit for wildlife protection.

 

[yesterlectric]

Are you wanting to use covered conductor “tree wire” in an application where you’re required to use insulated grounding conductors? I’m not sure the NESC would give you guidance on that. I’ve taken some classes on the NESC and have a little bit of experience with it. It’s a standard that’s primarily written for the utility company standards engineer who writes policies for how the line workers do their work. It is a lot less prescriptive of a standard than the NEC.

It’s not common to require insulated grounding conductors for for example, on riser pole surge arresters. If you have something weird like a unigrounded wye distribution system, it may be stipulated by the utility that you do.

 

[Elect117]

I was at a GO95 rule making committee meeting and this was a hot topic. With the rise in use of steel poles, it has brought up some nuanced issues with the way California's grid was initially designed.