eupher ground vs. ground rods

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rhpele

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Mike,

In the state of Florida, since we are now using eupher grounds to ground homes from the footer steel, do we also have to use ground rods in conjunction with the eupher ground? I have been told by the inspection dept. that we do not need to install ground rods when using a eupher ground, BUT, Progress Energy does not want to install meters unless there are ground rods. What is the correct procedure?

Thanks,

Ron Prevatt
 
Some utility companies have different requirements and rules, but you are not violating the NEC with that installation. If it was the water pipe as your grounding electrode, it would be required to be supplemented with another electrode.
 
The "metal underground water pipe" electrode is the only electrode that requires a supplemental grounding electrode. No supplemental grounding electrode is required for a Ufer ground and no test needs to be done to determine its resistance according to the NEC. Unless there is a local amendment to the contrary, once you have connected to a Ufer ground the grounding for that job is done! You may need to do additional bonding, but no other electrode is required.
 
paul renshaw said:
Correct, but the water line is the only one that requires a supplemental electrode.
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I am not sure I understand. If the water line is non metallic you would still need a ground rod or a Ufer.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I am not sure I understand. If the water line is non metallic you would still need a ground rod or a Ufer.
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What he is saying is that of all the NEC approved electrodes only a metal underground water pipe is required to have another electrode backing it up.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I am not sure I understand. If the water line is non metallic you would still need a ground rod or a Ufer.
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Dennis,

He is talking about 250.53(D)(2). If you have a metal underground water line used as grounding electrode it must be supplemented by another electrode.

Chris
 
Thanks Bob & Chris-- I should have realized that was his thoughts. I thought he was saying only if you have a metal water pipe do you have to have a ufer or ground rod.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I am not sure I understand. If the water line is non metallic you would still need a ground rod or a Ufer.
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If the water line is non-metallic it will not be part of the grounding electrode system. Unless you use plastic ground rod, plastic wire, and plastic clamp. :)
 
Paul,
I once had a civil engineer demand that I use an "insulted grounding lug" on his system to reduce "electrical noise". I told him that I did and that they were a "special order" item. He never realized that it was a standard, everyday ground lug and they never had trouble with noise on the system. As Ron White, the comedian says, "you can't fix stupid"!
 
No, because in order for a water line to be considered a grounding electrode, it must have ten feet in contact with the soil. Every structure must have a grounding electrode. A water pipe, if it is required to be used , must be supplemented with another electorde, often a ground rod or two. If its supplemented with a conc encased electrode, you are done.
 
haskindm said:
Paul,
I once had a civil engineer demand that I use an "insulted grounding lug" on his system to reduce "electrical noise". I told him that I did and that they were a "special order" item. He never realized that it was a standard, everyday ground lug and they never had trouble with noise on the system. As Ron White, the comedian says, "you can't fix stupid"!
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Ron White was right. A lot of people don't understand everything they think they know. I sent a civil engineer who was giving me a lesson on grounding to the supply house to get a special ground strap for a PVC junction box, I had given it to the supply house guys beforehand, and they gave him a ticket and all. It was green weedeater line with a ring terminal crimped on the end of it.....and yes, he installed it.
 
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