Bonding services

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goatsniffer

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Here in Corinth, contractors have been using a plastic nipple between the meter base and the service panel. We have been requiring they install a #6CU between the panel and the meter base to bond it. TXU says they will not set a meter with the ground terminated in the meter base. Dose the neutral accomplish the bond or do you need the ground?
 
goatsniffer said:
Here in Corinth, contractors have been using a plastic nipple between the meter base and the service panel. We have been requiring they install a #6CU between the panel and the meter base to bond it. TXU says they will not set a meter with the ground terminated in the meter base. Dose the neutral accomplish the bond or do you need the ground?
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By requiring a #6 EGC you are creating a parallel neutral current path and also a violation of 310.4.

Look at the meter Neutral bar, it is already bonded to the enclosure.

As far as the POCO not allowing the termination in the meter, it's a stupid rule but unfortunatly it is their prerogative.


The neutral is the fault clearing path/conductor until after the Main disconnect/OCPD.

Roger
 
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That's what I thought. I always used a steel nipple and bonding bushings when I was wiring houses. Our other inspector who although is a PLUMBER not an ELECTRICIAN, has been here alot longer than me keeps telling the NEC says you have to have the EGC since they are using PVC nipples. I know that when I worked for the POCO in Denton we did not allow anythng in the meter base but two hots and nuetral.
 
Using a metal nipple creates a parallel path as well but is allowed :rolleyes:.

Personally I think the PVC nipple is the best installation and I like the see the GEC landed in the meter. This has a better chance of keeping any surges or lightning strikes outside the building and other electrical equipment.

No disrespect intended, but, the other inspector is wrong, there should not be an EGC from the Main to the Meter.

Roger
 
goatsniffer said:
That's what I thought. I always used a steel nipple and bonding bushings when I was wiring houses. Our other inspector who although is a PLUMBER not an ELECTRICIAN, has been here alot longer than me keeps telling the NEC says you have to have the EGC since they are using PVC nipples. I know that when I worked for the POCO in Denton we did not allow anythng in the meter base but two hots and nuetral.
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Ask your fellow inspector to show you the Code section that says a service entrance grounded conductor, on the line side of the service disconnect, must have an equipment grounding conductor (EGC).

He'll never find it.

If he offers what seems like a good citation, bring that citation to this Forum. Having this discussion with him will help him to un-tangle his thinking about what the service entrance grounded conductor is and how it can be installed.:smile:
 
Thank you, for all your help. the plumber over there asks how do i know all you guys are qualified? i told him don't worry about it. go clean a drain.
 
He says 250.92(B)
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I don't see anywhere in 250.92(B) anything about running an equipment grounding conductor. Tell him to look real close at 250.92(B)(1). Typically what I see is either a bonding screw at the grounded conductor terminal or a bonding jumper installed from that terminal to the enclosure for meters that are isolated by PVC.

Chris
 
It would be more correct to say the Neutral Conductor is bonded to the Service Equipment.

The Main Bonding Jumper can be the Green screw supplied with the service rated Panel or Enclosed Breaker, it can also be a conductor or a metal bar, etc....


In a meter enclosure the Neutral Bar is physically bonded to the can, no other bonding jumper is needed.

Thank you, for all your help. the plumber over there asks how do i know all you guys are qualified?
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Click on the users name in the top right of a post and then click on "view public profile" to see the particular persons qualifications, although it isn't necessarily all inclusive.

You will notice Al and Chris bring some impressive qualifications with them.

BTW, welcome to the forum Kevin

Roger
 
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goatsniffer said:
250.92(B)1 to me says you ARE bonding the service with the neutral(grounded service conductor) Is that correct?
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Absolutely correct.

The grounded service conductor is different from a "neutral" on the load side of the main bonding jumper (MBJ), in that, on the load side of the MBJ, no normal load current can flow in the EGC (equipment grounds) and all the normal unbalance load current must stay in the neutral.

On the line side of the main bonding jumper, the unbalance current takes all available paths back to the transformer secondary, that is, the current travels in the
  1. Grounded service conductor
  2. Conductive service raceway, bonded on both ends
  3. The Grounding Electrode System
The grounded service conductor is simultaneously a neutral and an EGC when the grounded service conductor is installed in a non-conductive raceway.
 
Heck, I'm just a plain ol lektrishun. :grin:

Roger
 
ibew613 said:
set a meter with the ground terminated in the meter base....Negative...POCO
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And why do you think that's the case?

Roger
 
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