AL Lugs on Copper GND wire for grounding grid.

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jryan

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I have a job in which the contractor says he can use AL lugs to ground a fence, substation transformer, and switchgear. The grounding conductor is 4/0 bare stranded copper.

I ahve told him that I would prefer copper lugs as to not have disimular metals on my substation ground loop. These are all with 18" of the earth.

he said the lugs are dual rated for AL and Cu connections, but I do not agree on ground grids.

Any ideas?
 
Re: AL Lugs on Copper GND wire for grounding grid.

I have a problem with it but nothing to stand on, I just don't like it. We do not use aluminum connectors that close to the earth.
 
Re: AL Lugs on Copper GND wire for grounding grid.

I agree with Ryan but would also ask is this Substation privately owned (NEC) or utility owned(NESC)?

Article 110.14 would be the applicable article for the NEC.

Why not clarify for future projects in the next editing or rewrite of your specifications?

Roger
 
Re: AL Lugs on Copper GND wire for grounding grid.

250.64(A) Does not allow Aluminum or Copper-Clad Aluminum Conductors to be within 18" of Earth.
And I do think this would be an electrode connection.
But can we call the connector a conductor?
It does conduct?
 
Re: AL Lugs on Copper GND wire for grounding grid.

It is a federally owned site.

I will make sure of it on my next spec, but I did not write these per say. I am the engineer and I have caught them on other items by using the NEC.

They wanted to pull 500kcmil for a 1200A panel and I said NO. I won. :)

They have done good work and this is a small issue but an important one for me as the grid has to last, and unlike metals, exposed, well you know...
 
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