Combining EGC and GEC into same wire

[philly]

Is it permissible per NEC to splice together an Equipment Ground Conductor (EGC) and a Grounding Electrode Conductor (GEC) to make use of a common wire to serve both purposes?

We have an upstream Panel A which is going to feed a new panel B location that was previously just a tap block used to distribute branch circuits. Because of existing grounding circuits and conduits already installed the contractor wants to spice the new ECG for the new Panel B (fed from panel A) to an existing GEC used for the required GEC on a downstream panel fed from a SDS transformer. Because this downstream panel (Panel C) was previously installed it already had this GEC in place connected to a common ground bar in close proximity.

The attached sketch hopefully shows what I am referring to more clearly. From the sketch is it permissible to splice the required EGC to panel B to the existing GEC to provide a EGC patch all the way back up to Panel A (through existing ground bar) as shown on sketch?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

No. The EGC for panel must be physically run with the feeder conductors that supply the panel. 300.3(B).

 

[philly]

No. The EGC for panel must be physically run with the feeder conductors that supply the panel. 300.3(B).

Thanks. Does the EGC need to be continuous all the way back to Panel A or can it be connected to the existing ground bus in enclosure as long as it is run in same conduit as feeder conductors between Panel A and enclosure with ground bus and tap block are located?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

It could be spliced in the enclosure as long as it goes back to the feeder breaker in the same raceway or cable as the feeder conductors.

 

[philly]

It could be spliced in the enclosure as long as it goes back to the feeder breaker in the same raceway or cable as the feeder conductors.

Thanks. Is 300.3(B) the only section that would dictate these having to run together with other circuit conductors? I also looked in appliable Equipment Grounding Conductor sections in 250 but did not seem to see anything there.

 

[W@ttson]

here is a similar post:

Running EGC seperate from a wall mounted ground bar to load

Hello, Are there any violations in running an EGC from a wall mounted ground bar to a load sepearte from the feeder conductors? The feeder conductors are in a PVC conduit. See sketch below for what I mean:

forums.mikeholt.com