GEC to neutral Bar

[Daja7]

I have had two different inspectors require two different scenarios.

On a service we have the cold water ground and the two ground rods.
One says the CWG must be on the neutral and rods will go on the ground bar (both bonded together)
the other inspector insists on the rod Ground go on neutral and CWG on the ground bar.

Which is the code required method?

Can seem to find it in the book. (probably there , just can't find it)

 

[jumper]

250.24(C) IIRC

Edit: make that (A)

 

[Daja7]

250.24(C) IIRC

Edit: make that (A)

Thanks, Don't have the book in front of me but I will check when I do,

 

[jumper]

No book either at moment. It is in 250.24 somewhere.

 

[Daja7]

Can't find where it defines CWG or ground rod conductor.
May be just inspectors preference.

 

[jumper]

Can't find where it defines CWG or ground rod conductor.
May be just inspectors preference.

While the two buses are connected, a strict-and correct IMO-means both GECs should be in the neutral bus.



250.40(A)
(1) General.
The grounding electrode conductor connec-
tion shall be made at any accessible point from the load end
of the overhead service conductors, service drop, under-
ground service conductors, or service lateral to, including
the terminal or bus to which the grounded service conduc-
tor is connected at the service disconnecting means.

 

[petersonra]

or you can bond the rods to the cold water pipe.

 

[jumper]

While the two buses are connected, a strict-and correct IMO-means both GECs should be in the neutral bus.



250.40(A)
(1) General.
The grounding electrode conductor connec-
tion shall be made at any accessible point from the load end
of the overhead service conductors, service drop, under-
ground service conductors, or service lateral to, including
the terminal or bus to which the grounded service conduc-
tor is connected at the service disconnecting means.

Shoulda read further :

(4) Main Bonding Jumper as Wire or Busbar.
Where the main bonding jumper specified in 250.28 is a wire or bus-
bar and is installed from the grounded conductor terminal
bar or bus to the equipment grounding terminal bar or bus
in the service equipment, the grounding electrode conduc-
tor shall be permitted to be connected to the equipment
grounding terminal, bar, or bus to which the main bonding
jumper is connected

 

[david]

Shoulda read further :

(4) Main Bonding Jumper as Wire or Busbar.
Where the main bonding jumper specified in 250.28 is a wire or bus-
bar and is installed from the grounded conductor terminal
bar or bus to the equipment grounding terminal bar or bus
in the service equipment, the grounding electrode conduc-
tor shall be permitted to be connected to the equipment
grounding terminal, bar, or bus to which the main bonding
jumper is connected

If it is truly an equipment ground buss than they are both wrong. Edit: Assuming the water pipe is a grounding electrode

The general rule states the grounding electrode conductors must shake hands if you will with the grounded conductor.

The section jumper points to says the grounding electrode conductor can land on a equipment ground bus provided the equipment ground buss bonds to the neutral buss by means of a main bonding jumper that is a wire (strap)

On the other hand if the equipment ground buss is bonded to the neutral buss than it is a non issue.
Do not mistake the green screw main bonding to the enclosure this is a fault clearing for the equipment grounding.

The main bonding jumper must not rely on the metal enclosure path for grounding electrode conductors

 

[jaggedben]

Shoulda read further :

(4) Main Bonding Jumper as Wire or Busbar.
Where the main bonding jumper specified in 250.28 is a wire or bus-
bar and is installed from the grounded conductor terminal
bar or bus to the equipment grounding terminal bar or bus
in the service equipment, the grounding electrode conduc-
tor shall be permitted to be connected to the equipment
grounding terminal, bar, or bus to which the main bonding
jumper is connected

IOW, you can pretty much do it however you want and these inspectors are nuts.

 

[petersonra]

IOW, you can pretty much do it however you want and these inspectors are nuts.

if the main bonding jumper is a wire or bus bar.

in many cases it is a screw.

 

[jaggedben]

if the main bonding jumper is a wire or bus bar.

in many cases it is a screw.

If it's a screw and one bar then the discussion is moot.

If it's a screw and there's another bar then run a wire between the two bars.

 

[david]

On a service we have the cold water ground and the two ground rods.

You are describing two grounding electrodes with out adding additional main bonding jumpers to this panel. The grounding electrode conductors or conductor for both the metal water pipe and the two ground rods must land on either directly to the Nuetral, the buss the nuetral is landed on(main bonding jumper Buss) or the buss the nuetral buss is bonded to (by a main bonding jumper Wire)

The grounding electrode conductor cannot land on the equipment ground buss bonded to the metal enclosure even though the metal enclosure is bonded to the nuetral (by main bonding jumper screw)