BONDING A METAL WEATHERHEAD ON OVERHEAD PVC SERVICE.

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spencercagen

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Location
New jersey
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Electrician
Hey yall,

Recently got a new job here in South Carolina. I've always use a PVC weather head with my PVC overhead service (residential) until this new job. I did a service alone, and when i was to the point to put the weather head on, ive notice they gave me a EMT weather head that i would use for a MAST service. I called the big man to tell him i need to change this weather head to a PVC weather head OR bond it properly. He told me that i do not have to bond it. I was amazed. Is he correct or should i stick to my own knowledge and know whats right? lol

Thanks,
Spencer
 
Most inspectors would say you can not do that. I doubt they were ever UL listed to go atop a 2 inch PVC conduit.
Plus, (They cost more LOL ) !
 
As I said, this would need to be bonded per 250.92. Just connecting to the grounded conductor would satisfy the code but I know of no way to connect it to the weather head in a compliant manner.
 
It's a raceway fitting. It's part of a raceway.
Here is what it says:

"All enclosures containing service conductors, including meter fittings, boxes, or the like, interposed in the service raceway or armor"

Now it does only say "meter fittings". Yes it does say "or the like" so that is arguable. Also we have had some debate on what exactly a "fitting" is. IIRC the UL white book offers some more specifics on what constitutes a "fitting" but I dont remember off the top of my head what it was.
I kinda can't believe we're debating this.
You do realize you are on the MH forum right??? 🤣
 
I have tried diligently this morning "punching holes" in this installation. Like the OP and few others, not exactly the material method of installation that I would have imposed. Taking in consideration other's in quotation of NFPA70.
Here's my path so far:
Art. 250.4
(B) Bonding of Electrical Equipment.
(C) Bonding of Electrical Conductive Equipment
Art.100
*Equipment-(including fittings)
*Isolated (not readily accessible)
*Readily Accessible (without requiring take action such use tools, or to resort to. portable ladders)
*Unlike metallic nipples, attached to PVC turning up under or into gear for service lateral, metallic portion must be bonded (though requiring tool to access)

*So what I found above, theoretically the metallic weather head setting upon polyvinyl chloride riser would surfice as compliant.
Again in my opinion it's (isolated)..in definition..

Then visiting Chapter 3
Art.352
Part 3-Construction Specifications
352.100 Construction
"shall be made of ridged (nonplasticized) polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PVC conduit and (-fittings-) shall be composed of suitable nonmetallic material.

*Back to Art. 100
Fitting- An accessory to perform an mechanical rather than electrical function.
I deem a metallic weather head (a fitting)..

* I believe possibilities, this installation being violation, in wording of 352.100.
 
Clearly violates 250.4(A)(2) and (3). It is "Normally non–current-carrying conductive materials enclosing electrical conductors". This is completely unambiguous.

Upon reflection, it violates 250.92(A)(1). An isolated weatherhead would not be a raceway. But once you stick it on a raceway, it is part of that raceway, so it is covered by 250.92(A)(1).

Cheers, Wayne
 
Thank you for clarification Wayne. "tipping me hat"..
Gentlemen, having WA. CEU'S to complete today. *Enjoy you're long holiday weekend..
 
I agree that the language in 250.92 does not require a WH to be bonded, however IMO 250.4(A) 2-5 does.
250.92 is a non-starter for this.

250.4(A) (2) and (3) would seem to apply.

250.4(A) (4) and (5) refer to an effective ground fault path. Not sure how you can do this for the over head service wires.
 
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