Failed Inspection

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Ozymandias

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I was failed on an inspection yesterday, so maybe you all can shed some light on this.
2011 code cycle. Overhead service, my service conductors are landed in the meter can, and thru the back of the meter can into the MDP. I installed a ground rod and ran the GEC in 1/2" PVC into the meter can. I land it in a lug and from there run it to the MDP where the neutral and ground bars and MDP are bonded by the green bonding screw.
He fails it.
He wants the GEC to bypass the meter can and go thru the exterior wall and into MDP directly. He also wants a ground bar kit screwed into the exterior wall where the GEC will pass thru unprotected and continuously and into the house. Is there something to this? Should I get out of the trade?
 
Ozymandias said:
I was failed on an inspection yesterday, so maybe you all can shed some light on this.
2011 code cycle. Overhead service, my service conductors are landed in the meter can, and thru the back of the meter can into the MDP. I installed a ground rod and ran the GEC in 1/2" PVC into the meter can. I land it in a lug and from there run it to the MDP where the neutral and ground bars and MDP are bonded by the green bonding screw.
He fails it.
He wants the GEC to bypass the meter can and go thru the exterior wall and into MDP directly. He also wants a ground bar kit screwed into the exterior wall where the GEC will pass thru unprotected and continuously and into the house. Is there something to this? Should I get out of the trade?
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The GEC can land in the meter can. The only time it is not allowed to is when the POCO doesn't allow it. The NEC allows it anywhere between the neutral at the weatherhead all the way to the panel.
I don't understand why you would run into the meter and on to the panel. If your POCO allows it in the meter than that is as far as you need to go.
Not sure what you mean by "ground bar kit" but it is required to have an inner system bond at or near the meter base for the other utilities to connect their ground. You run the GEC through the bonding bridge and onto wherever you are landing it.

Without seeing your correction notice I have no idea what your inspector was wanting.
 
Just to avoid confusing Ozy, that bridge is the "inter-system" bonding bridge, for other wiring systems like phone, cable, and satellite that must also access the building ground electrode system used by the building power system.
 
Think that's weird? I've seen a master electrician with an axe to grind fail a 100A feeder in an 8" wide trench for not zip tying the ground to the URD. Figure that one out...
 
I basically ran the GEC continously through the meter can so I wouldn't have to penetrate the wall and into the MDP. This is a Milbank 200 amp can. There is a lug next to the service neutral lug. I ran the GEC continuously thru this lug and tightened it and thru the back of the can into the MDP. I suppose I violated 250.24a by "bonding" the GEC at the meter can and then bonding at the MDP the neutral and ground with the bonding screw, maybe I treated the meter can as service equipment this way. I was unable to meet with the inspector so this is what the owner told me over the phone. I took a look at another property he had inspected for the same owner and saw what looks like a neutral bar kit where the GEC passes thru partly unprotected and into the house where I assume lands in the MDP. Just never heard of a "bridge" before.
 
GoldDigger said:
Just to avoid confusing Ozy, that bridge is the "inter-system" bonding bridge, for other wiring systems like phone, cable, and satellite that must also access the building ground electrode system used by the building power system.
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It makes sense. I have seen those wiring systems just run their own EGC to the meter can via a grounding metal strap.
George Stolz said:
Think that's weird? I've seen a master electrician with an axe to grind fail a 100A feeder in an 8" wide trench for not zip tying the ground to the URD. Figure that one out...
Click to expand...
URD? I had to look that one up.
Thanks for your responses. I won't get back in there until the owner gets back after the holidays.
 
Ozymandias said:
Thats a lot pretty that what I have seen passed. Basically a neutral bar kit you buy at Home Depot if you ran out of places to land your neutrals in an MDP.
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Yup those lay in lugs are great. You can add this thing at any time.
The funny part is when the phone guy still places the clamp on the meter can and a label "do not remove" :happysad::happysad::happysad::happysad::happysad:
 
Ozymandias said:
It makes sense. I have seen those wiring systems just run their own EGC to the meter can via a grounding metal strap.
URD? I had to look that one up.
Thanks for your responses. I won't get back in there until the owner gets back after the holidays.
Click to expand...

Just FYI, that strap is a bonding jumper, not an EGC, and the strap has to be the equivalent of a #6 CU.

Often URD is dual rated with NEC listed insulation types like XHHW or RHW or such so it can enter a building via conduit.

True URD is mostly used by POCOs and not recognized by the NEC.
 
Sierrasparky said:
Yup those lay in lugs are great. You can add this thing at any time.
The funny part is when the phone guy still places the clamp on the meter can and a label "do not remove" :happysad::happysad::happysad::happysad::happysad:
Click to expand...

Better yet, ignore the building GES all together and install a 4' or 6' rod to attach to "because we need our own good ground for the telephone to work.":huh: and
 
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