FMC to plastic equipment enclosure

[rojay]

I had to install a load management module for a customer’s 50 amp, 220 volt oven as part of a recent generator install. The panel was in a finished basement, so I used 3/4”FMC for the 4-#8’s running between the panel & the equipment. I also added a #10 EGC to the whip, purely out of my habit of adding one to every whip I install.

My question is- since the load management module is plastic, was the EGC necessary? I ended up connecting the ground to a grounding bushing at the module end.

 

[SSDriver]

Only necessary if there's something to attach it to.

 

[petersonra]

Only necessary if there's something to attach it to.

Where does it say that in the code? If I remember the code it actually says you have to run an equipment grounding conductor with all circuit conductors. Whether it terminates in a plastic box or not doesn't seem to be an exception.

 

[SSDriver]

Where does it say that in the code? If I remember the code it actually says you have to run an equipment grounding conductor with all circuit conductors. Whether it terminates in a plastic box or not doesn't seem to be an exception.

Where does it say that? I don't think it says that anywhere, there for it would not be required. 300.3 B says "and, where used" all conductors need to be in a raceway. If it's not being used, then they don't need to be in the raceway. If I'm missing something, please show me(I am being sincere).

300.3(B) Conductors of the Same Circuit. All conductors of the same circuit and, where used, the grounded conductor and all equipment grounding conductors and bonding conductors shall be contained within the same raceway, auxiliary gutter, cable tray,
cablebus assembly, trench, cable, or cord, unless
otherwise permitted in accordance with 300.3(B) (1) through (B) (4).

Yes some spots of the code may require them to be available like for receptacles, but not all locations or equipment need them or require them. Some like the secondary side of a low voltage pool transformer even say you "shall" not have one.

If I have a plastic box, plastic conduit, with a plastic contactor in it, where would I use or connect an EGC to? Now maybe with metal FMC you could argue he needs a bond bushing on one side. I would have to further look into that.

 

[kwired]

Where does it say that? I don't think it says that anywhere, there for it would not be required. 300.3 B says "and, where used" all conductors need to be in a raceway. If it's not being used, then they don't need to be in the raceway. If I'm missing something, please show me(I am being sincere).



Yes some spots of the code may require them to be available like for receptacles, but not all locations or equipment need them or require them. Some like the secondary side of a low voltage pool transformer even say you "shall" not have one.

If I have a plastic box, plastic conduit, with a plastic contactor in it, where would I use or connect an EGC to? Now maybe with metal FMC you could argue he needs a bond bushing on one side. I would have to further look into that.

I kind of agree with your approach, not sure if it can be called code compliant in all situations though.

I do have places where permits and inspections are not necessarily requried, and do at times run say non metallic raceway to a non metallic enclosure that has nothing that requires bonding in it. I usually will not run an EGC in those situations, there is nothing to tie it to. I am not worried about it becoming much of a liability either even if it truly is a code violation.

I don't know what to say about the FMC situation. If short enough and no contained circuits over 20 amperes, the FMC itself is a qualifying EGC in most cases and I probably wouldn't run a wire EGC if there is nothing to connect it to.