GEC for sub panel for detached shed

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Nonev

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Location
Nevada
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Retired Electrician
My AHJ requires a disconnect mounted on the exterior of the detached shed prior to the interior sub panel . This is a 60A disconnect feeding the 60A shed sub panel. I have installed two ground rods 8 feet apart.

250.32(B)(1) seems to indicate both the service disconnect and the sub panel should be connected the the GEC. My question is do I run the GEC from the GES to the sub panel and the disconnect? My AHJ sometimes wings it and not in a good way, so was hoping to get some feedback
 
Nonev said:
My AHJ requires a disconnect mounted on the exterior of the detached shed prior to the interior sub panel . This is a 60A disconnect feeding the 60A shed sub panel. I have installed two ground rods 8 feet apart.

250.32(B)(1) seems to indicate both the service disconnect and the sub panel should be connected the the GEC. My question is do I run the GEC from the GES to the sub panel and the disconnect? My AHJ sometimes wings it and not in a good way, so was hoping to get some feedback
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If you use a main breaker in the subpanel, you don't need the disconnect outside.

With that said, you only need to run the GEC to the isolated ground bar in the sub but not to both the sub and disconnect.
 
curt swartz said:
Ok, typically saying isolated would mean insulated such as an isolated ground bar (a ground bar mounted on insulators so isolated from the box.
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The subject was a subpanel. Everyone knows (should anyway) that the EGC (grounding) bar should be isolated from the neutral (grounded conductor) bar. Why would you put an insulated EGC bar in a subpanel? The neutral bar is set on insulators and the ground (EGC) bar mounts directly to the enclosure.
I don't see what was so confusing!

Isolated = set apart, not touching
 
Nonev said:
Thanks for all the feedback! It's one of those things when you see this particular inspector, you have no idea what he's going to come up with outside of the NEC
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Well to start with requiring the disconnect to be only on the outside of the shed is outside of the NEC. If the inspector is known to make up his own code it might be best to check with him before installing anything.
 
Nonev said:
Thanks for all the feedback! It's one of those things when you see this particular inspector, you have no idea what he's going to come up with outside of the NEC
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Do you have any local codes? A failing in the NEC is that service and detached building disconnects need to be located "nearest the point of conductor entry into the structure". A strict reading of that says you can't even penetrate siding -- the disconnect would have to be the building siding with an LB or something coming into its backside. Locating the disconnect outside will always be in compliance with the nearest point of entry language. This is usually something many localities have ended up defining -- how far into a structure can a wiring method go before it has to hit the disconnect. Here in WA, I think it is a generous 15', but wiring methods are restricted if they are Service Conductors.
 
infinity said:
Well to start with requiring the disconnect to be only on the outside of the shed is outside of the NEC. If the inspector is known to make up his own code it might be best to check with him before installing anything.
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This is a classic
infinity said:
Well to start with requiring the disconnect to be only on the outside of the shed is outside of the NEC. If the inspector is known to make up his own code it might be best to check with him before installing anything.
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Well, I asked that very question regarding another project and 312.5(C). The reply I got was "we're not here to tell you how to do it, it just has to be up to code". Now, that is a classic.
 
suemarkp said:
Do you have any local codes? A failing in the NEC is that service and detached building disconnects need to be located "nearest the point of conductor entry into the structure". A strict reading of that says you can't even penetrate siding -- the disconnect would have to be the building siding with an LB or something coming into its backside. Locating the disconnect outside will always be in compliance with the nearest point of entry language. This is usually something many localities have ended up defining -- how far into a structure can a wiring method go before it has to hit the disconnect. Here in WA, I think it is a generous 15', but wiring methods are restricted if they are Service Conductors.
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15 ft of raceway for service entrance conductors snd the wiring method is restricted. Example no SE cable
 
Nonev said:
Well, I asked that very question regarding another project and 312.5(C). The reply I got was "we're not here to tell you how to do it, it just has to be up to code". Now, that is a classic.
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Then how can he make you install an exterior disconnect that’s not a code-requirement?
 
Nonev said:
Well, I asked that very question regarding another project and 312.5(C). The reply I got was "we're not here to tell you how to do it, it just has to be up to code". Now, that is a classic.
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So you're saying now that a disconnecting means on the outside is not required? Initially you stated that it was required as per the AHJ but we know that is not an NEC requirement.
Nonev said:
My AHJ requires a disconnect mounted on the exterior of the detached shed prior to the interior sub panel .
Click to expand...
 
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