Farmhouse grounding

[boblhead]

I came across the following setup, service goes to meter only on side of barn. From meter, SEU to a fused 200 amp safety switch inside the barn. From safety switch a 3 wire URD goes to house feeding a panel, no ground wire. Can I just run a ground wire separate from the feeders from first disco to house panel and since it’s a separate building drive a ground rod and be code worthy?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

300.3(B) does not permit the EGC to be separate from the other circuit conductors.
When was this originally installed?

 

[ptonsparky]

300.3(B) does not permit the EGC to be separate from the other circuit conductors.
When was this originally installed?

When is definitely the question.

 

[LarryFine]

The house should already have a complete grounding electrode system, just like a service.

 

[Little Bill]

If it was installed before 2005(?), I would just bond and do the GES at the house.

 

[LarryFine]

If it was installed before 2005(?), I would just bond and do the GES at the house.

Which should already have been done, too.

 

[boblhead]

300.3(B) does not permit the EGC to be separate from the other circuit conductors.
When was this originally installed?

I thought that was the case. Don’t know but this town (and many others in the northeast) have no code enforcement.
A lot of homeowner specials out here, “if the lamp lights… success”, mentality

 

[boblhead]

300.3(B) does not permit the EGC to be separate from the other circuit conductors.
When was this originally installed?

Not sure of installation date,

 

[roger]

Not sure of installation date,

As others have said, it may be legal.

 

[boblhead]

Wait there is more, at the barn the URD leaves the old 200 amp safety switch and free airs down between the concrete flooring and the timber framing (exposed for a bit exterior 6”” or so) before underground to house. Also the load terminal of the switch is doubled up so to feed a 125 amp rated main lug panel next to it.

Here’s the reason for the call out, requesting a generator set up with auto transfer switch

I would run the other way but feel I won’t be able to sleep at night without making it right

 

[boblhead]

Removing safety switch and adjacent 125 amp panel, installing 200 amp service rated transfer switch which will feed a 200 amp feed through panel(adjacent) and from feed through lugs attach house feeders ( after properly sleeving conductors where emerge from ground and enter barn).

 

[boblhead]

300.3(B) does not permit the EGC to be separate from the other circuit conductors.
When was this originally installed?

Stupid question but if not in conduit then how does conductor know it’s ran a few feet away from circuit conductors

 

[ptonsparky]

Stupid question but if not in conduit then how does conductor know it’s ran a few feet away from circuit conductors

The impedance of the circuit increases. A fault to the EG will result in a decrease of current flow due to that increase The time it takes for a fuse or breaker to open may change. That changes the touch potential to earth.

 

[boblhead]

The house should already have a complete grounding electrode system, just like a service.

Removing safety switch and adjacent 125 amp panel, installing 200 amp service rated transfer switch which will feed a 200 amp feed through panel(adjacent) and from feed through lugs attach house feeders ( after properly sleeving conductors where emerge from ground and enter barn).

…exit the barn).

 

[augie47]

I don't think I'd lay awake worrying about the 3 wire; as mentioned, it could have been a legal install at the time and, even today, if you came directly from the meter rather than the disconnect, it would be legal.
I would protect it above ground.

 

[boblhead]

I don't think I'd lay awake worrying about the 3 wire; as mentioned, it could have been a legal install at the time and, even today, if you came directly from the meter rather than the disconnect, it would be legal.
I would protect it above ground.

So install service rated transfer switch, bond at xfer switch, run seperate neutral and ground to adjacent feed thru panel, and just feed thru to house with the 3 wire

 

[boblhead]

The impedance of the circuit increases. A fault to the EG will result in a decrease of current flow due to that increase The time it takes for a fuse or breaker to open may change. That changes the touch potential to earth.

Got it!