Distance and bends between ground bus and grounding electrode

[Tainted]

I am doing an electrical infrastructure project and I'm specifying ground bus. Two ground rods, water main, building steel, and service switch neutrals will connect to the ground bus.

The electrical room is located in the cellar. Under the electrical room is a sub cellar. I would like the ground bus to be in the cellar electrical room and potentially stick 2 ground rod in the dirt in the sub cellar.

Is there any maximum distances I should worry about between the ground bus and the electrode? Is there a limit to the amount of bends a grounding electrode conductor can make?

 

[infinity]

There is an IN in 250.4(A)(1) but IN's are not enforceable. In the field no one cares about the number of bends or distance for GEC's.

250.4(A)(1) Electrical System Grounding.
Electrical systems that are grounded shall be connected to earth in a manner that will limit the voltage imposed by lightning, line surges, or unintentional contact with higher-voltage lines and that will stabilize the voltage to earth during normal operation.
Informational Note No. 1: An important consideration for limiting the imposed voltage is the routing of bonding and grounding electrode conductors so that they are not any longer than necessary to complete the connection without disturbing the permanent parts of the installation and so that unnecessary bends and loops are avoided.

 

[letgomywago]

Only point I'll add is that you shouldn't take away every inch you can shave off and make it to the ground bar if you leave a couple inches and just are carefull not to make hard 90s you'll have a little extra wiggle room if for whatever reason the electrical service needs reworked since it's not a quick and simple thing to splice that conductor. Biggest time this seams to happen is when right after finishing a service change or track house and then someone wants a service rated ats and those couple inches make all the difference.

 

[alexfox1986]

I am doing an electrical infrastructure project and I'm specifying ground bus. Two ground rods, water main, building steel, and service switch neutrals will connect to the ground bus.

The electrical room is located in the cellar. Under the electrical room is a sub cellar. I would like the ground bus to be in the cellar electrical room and potentially stick 2 ground rod in the dirt in the sub cellar.

Is there any maximum distances I should worry about between the ground bus and the electrode? Is there a limit to the amount of bends a grounding electrode conductor can make?

For the grounding electrode conductor connecting the ground bus to the ground rods, there are a few guidelines and limitations you should consider:

1. Maximum Distance: According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), the grounding electrode conductor should be as short and straight as possible. If you are using two ground rods, they should be spaced at least 6 feet apart, and the grounding electrode conductor should connect to the two rods with a continuous length of wire. The NEC does not specify a maximum length for the grounding electrode conductor, but it is generally recommended to keep it under 50 feet to reduce resistance and improve its effectiveness.
2. Bends: The grounding electrode conductor can be bent, but it is important to keep the number of bends to a minimum. The NEC recommends that the conductor be installed without splices, or if splices are used, they should be accessible and protected from damage. Additionally, any bends should have a radius of at least 5 times the diameter of the conductor.
3. Bonding: It is important to bond the building steel and water main to the grounding electrode system to ensure that all metal objects in the electrical system are at the same potential. This bonding should be made with a separate bonding conductor that is also connected to the ground bus.

 

[Sea Nile]

I thought the same thing until it was explained that the grounding electrode conductor only has to be continuous to the first rod. Rod to rod is a bonding jumper.

 

[tom baker]

I thought the same thing until it was explained that the grounding electrode conductor only has to be continuous to the first rod. Rod to rod is a bonding jumper.

That’s a common misconception the GEC has to be continuous. The NEC allows 2 wires and three clamps

 

[tom baker]

For the grounding electrode conductor connecting the ground bus to the ground rods, there are a few guidelines and limitations you should consider:

1. Maximum Distance: According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), the grounding electrode conductor should be as short and straight as possible. If you are using two ground rods, they should be spaced at least 6 feet apart, and the grounding electrode conductor should connect to the two rods with a continuous length of wire. The NEC does not specify a maximum length for the grounding electrode conductor, but it is generally recommended to keep it under 50 feet to reduce resistance and improve its effectiveness.
2. Bends: The grounding electrode conductor can be bent, but it is important to keep the number of bends to a minimum. The NEC recommends that the conductor be installed without splices, or if splices are used, they should be accessible and protected from damage. Additionally, any bends should have a radius of at least 5 times the diameter of the conductor.
3. Bonding: It is important to bond the building steel and water main to the grounding electrode system to ensure that all metal objects in the electrical system are at the same potential. This bonding should be made with a separate bonding conductor that is also connected to the ground bus.

[/QUOTE
What section of the NEC requires the GEC to be as short as possible?
Same for the bending radius, where is that requirement?
There is no requirement for a separate bonding conductor to structural metal and metallic water lines, it can be connected in multiple ways
This reply does not mention no ground rods are not required for a concrete encased electrode
The GEC splice is allowed with an irreversible compression splice. This splice does not have to be accessible.