Re: Fusible disconnect or not?
How does adding a terminal box, junction box, or gutter change the requirement for over current protection for the service?
Now to give you my take on what is required here look at 547.9 in the 2002 NEC. What you have is commonly called a central distribution around here.
547.9(A) first you need a site- isolating device. This is where the bond between the grounding electrode conductor and the grounded conductor is made.
547.9(B) you have some choice in how the building are supplied from this Isolation disconnect.
If at the supplied building(S) you have a disconnecting means and over-current protection you have a choice of running an equipment ground conductor or not depending on meeting the requirements in 250.32(B)(2)
If you do not meet the requirements of 250.32(B)(2) you must run an equipment ground conductor with you supply conductors,(note the equipment ground conductor must be electrically the same size as the largest supply conductor), the grounded circuit conductor cannot be connected to any grounding electrode or to any equipment grounding conductor on the load side of the distribution point.
IMO even if you meet the requirements of 250.32(B)(2) you can still run an equipment ground conductor as long as it is the same size as the largest supply conductor and you do not connect the grounded circuit conductor to any grounding electrode or to any equipment grounding conductor on the load side of the distribution point.
If disconnecting means and over-current protection are at the distribution point your choices are pretty much the same as above except there is no requirement for the equipment ground to be the same size as the largest supply conductor. You pretty much wire it the same as you would any second building being supplied from a common service.
Note : 547.9(C), Underground Equipment Grounding Conductors. Where livestock is housed, any portion of the equipment- grounding conductor run underground to the building or structure shall be insulated or covered copper.
