Equipment grounding terminal

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noxx

Senior Member
During a conversation a few weeks ago re: properly grounding a metal box, I came across the text that explicitly states "sheet metal screws shall not be used".

The subject came up again today, and not having highlighted it, I'll be damned if I can find it again. Anyone know the section offhand? Thanks.
 
Re: Equipment grounding terminal

There might be something wrong with these forums but I couldn't edit my previous post but it should be 250-8.
~Peter
 
Re: Equipment grounding terminal

Noxx,
I know exactly what you are talking about, and if you hadn't asked I could have told you where it was. I know this is not what you are referring to, but it's along the same lines. I'll keep looking.

Art. 250.148 (C)
Metal boxes: a connection shall ve made between the one or more wquipoment grounding conductors and a metal box by means of a grounding screw that shall be used for no other purpose or a listed grounding device.

Mike
 
Re: Equipment grounding terminal

Peter,
Its not really a clear or well written code section. It just says that we can't use sheet metal screws. What about drywall screws? nails? or anything else you can think of? This should be rewritten in postitive language to tell us what must be used.
Don
 
Re: Equipment grounding terminal

sheet_metal_screws_shall_not_be_used.gif
 
Re: Equipment grounding terminal

Hi artc welcome to the forum.

Yes is is very clear sheet metal screws shall not be used.

The problem is they have now started a list of things I can't use. Now if I fasten a EGC to a box with a nail it is acceptable as it is not 'on the list' of forbidden connections. :p
 
Re: Equipment grounding terminal

Originally posted by electricman2:
Now if I fasten a EGC to a box with a nail it is acceptable
If you can find a nail listed for that purpose, I dont see a problem. :D

Have you a screw 'listed for the purpose' or a requirement in mind that states the fastener must be listed? :D
 
Re: Equipment grounding terminal

On serious side all ground screws have a machine thread they are listed as to be used for this purpose the sheet metal thing came up with installers using a # 10 that mounted the fixture to ground to.Never mind the guy that installs a 4 tube floresent wrap with dry wall screws,Hate trying to get that ground wire to stay under a fluted head :D ;)
 
Re: Equipment grounding terminal

Don,
All I meant was that this one sentence is clear and understandable in that you can't use sheet metal screws to attach the ground wire. I think that was the intent of the gentleman's original question.
Of course you can quibble about the definition of a "sheet metal screw" but I think a certain expectation of common sense is required here. We are not lawyers.
~Peter
Or in other words: "Can I use a sheet metal screw to attach the ground wire to the box? The answer is no.

[ February 28, 2005, 11:00 PM: Message edited by: peter ]
 
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