GEC from remote Service Disconnect.

[nizak]

I have a Service disconnect that’s located approximately 175’ from the incoming copper water supply.
It’s a 400 amp service with 2 service rated transfer switches. One switch for the garage load center which is at the main service and the other one for the 200 amp load center in the house.
Is it code compliant to install the GEC from the service disconnect in the same conduit as the feeders going to the load center in the house?

The Copper incoming city water comes into the basement of the home about 40’ from the sub panel.

I will have 2 8’ ground rods at the main service disconnect.

Is it more advisable to just lay the CU GEC conductor in the trench and call it good.
Thank you

 

[infinity]

You have two separate structures? If so then each should have it's own GES so only an EGC needs to be installed in each feeder.

 

[kwired]

Need more clarification on what you are dealing with.

First thing is this all one structure with service disconnects at one location, apparently a garage panel that is close by and then a house panel some distance away but in same structure.

If it were a detached garage with the service disconnect(s) on it then you feed a 200 amp feeder to the house, you only would need to connect that water pipe electrode at the house to the main disconnect of the house. and it would only need sized to the 200 amp feeder as well.

 

[nizak]

It’s one structure. Service disconnects are 2 200A transfer switches that are mounted on the garage exterior which is literally the furthest point from where the house sub panel and Cu incoming water are.

It’s a 4 car garage /shop that’s 72’ long. From the end of the garage the path to the sub panel at the extreme opposite end of the house is 88’.

Up , down , over… etc puts the overall run for the 200A feeder right about 175’

Correct me if I’m wrong but don’t I need to tie together the 2 driven rods at the main with the Cu water line that’s present in the house for a complete GE system?

This is a remodel. The 4 car garage is being added but all the interior existing house wiring is staying along with the addition of a dual fuel oven and a hot tub.

My question is what options do I have to reasonably get the GEC from point A to point B.

Any help appreciated.

 

[LarryFine]

The two transfer switches are your main disconnects now, and they are where the GECs need to land.

If your incoming water pipe qualifies as an electrode, its GEC should connect within 5' of its entrance.

If it doesn't qualify, the interior piping still must be bonded, but not necessarily within 5' of entrance.

Your rods' GEC should also land in the ATSs. Every panel downstream should be wired as sub-panels.

 

[nizak]

So back to my original question.
Can I use the conduit that will carry the feeder from the ATS to the house sub panel to also carry the appropriate sized GEC that will attach to the Cu water line.
It would go as far as a PVC box 2' above the load center than exit the box with a cable connector . It won't enter the load center.

My other option is to just lay it in the trench , bring it into the house and then run it through the joists over to the water line .

 

[LarryFine]

Can I use the conduit that will carry the feeder from the ATS to the house sub panel to also carry the appropriate sized GEC that will attach to the Cu water line.

I believe that you can. If the conduit is metal, bonding rules apply.

I would ask whether the feeder's EGC can provide both functions.

I believe it can as long as it meets the requirements of both uses.

 

[nizak]

PVC conduit.

 

[infinity]

So back to my original question.
Can I use the conduit that will carry the feeder from the ATS to the house sub panel to also carry the appropriate sized GEC that will attach to the Cu water line.

Each separate structure requires it own GES so why do you want to bring a GEC to the house?

 

[LarryFine]

Each separate structure requires it own GES so why do you want to bring a GEC to the house?

Through the house, not to it; it's a single structure, an attached garage.

The water service comes in at the other end of the house from the service.

He's asking about options for running the water-pipe GEC to the ATSs.

 

[infinity]

Through the house, not to it; it's a single structure, an attached garage.

The water service comes in at the other end of the house from the service.

He's asking about options for running the water-pipe GEC to the ATSs.

The OP mentions a trench which to me indicated more than one structure.

 

[nizak]

The OP mentions a trench which to me indicated more than one structure.

Underground is the easiest way from the service disconnect to the house sub panel.

There’s 3 areas to travel through.

First section is conduit in trench, then conduit will run under a raised floor portion of an existing garage that’s being made into living space, then travel through open basement space to the sub panel.

It’s a really convoluted way but it’s the only way with the existing structure lay out and all the existing circuitry that needs to be re fed.

 

[kwired]

The OP mentions a trench which to me indicated more than one structure.

Garage is being added, sounds like he has to cross nearly the entire garage so maybe this along with house feeder is being placed below the garage floor to where it enters the existing house?

 

[kwired]

Underground is the easiest way from the service disconnect to the house sub panel.

There’s 3 areas to travel through.

First section is conduit in trench, then conduit will run under a raised floor portion of an existing garage that’s being made into living space, then travel through open basement space to the sub panel.

It’s a really convoluted way but it’s the only way with the existing structure lay out and all the existing circuitry that needs to be re fed.

Is there CEE in garage footings?

If so another possible option is to land a GEC on the CEE near the service, then make a bonding jumper from CEE at a closer location to existing house to the water pipe.