GEC's and the P.C.'s

[mopowr steve]

Put in a new service with GEC run to 2 rods no ufer available tied to service panel in basement of home.
Power company hooks up service.
After they're done I see they put another ground wire in from meter base to my GEC connected with a split bolt.
OK so now I'm thinking they just created a parallel neutral between meter box and service panel by doing so.
Knowing this is not allowed what should I do? Remove my GEC from panel or just go on without incident or start contacting these power companies to stop the requirement to install the GEC at the meter box only and allow to be connected per NEC at any of the 3 locations it can attach to. Once and done.
We have 3 main power companies around my area with even a few more co-ops operating around, naturally having different requirements as to whether they want a ground installed in the meter base or not.
Some while ago I had one of there installation requirement papers show to run ground to there meter base and electrician to run another ground to the service panel which looked like wording added to an existing paper that used to just say "to the meter base"
So are they in the wrong by having said this?
Do they really have a say on anything that happens on the load side of a meter base? The way I see it the demarcation is the line side terminals of meterbase. From then on the NEC takes effect.
The bad and ugly, would be if my neutral terminations should go bad between meterbase and panel then current flow would be on their ground wire and by that time a corroded connection that could lead to high temperatures at the joint which could cause fire.

 

[Smart $]

You have a valid point, IMO... but probably will not decisively win any argument. There is no explicit NEC requirement to not create a parallel neutral current pathway with grounding on the line side of the service disconnecting means. I consider it objectionable current under 250.6, but lacking a formal definition of objectionable current, it seems most everyone ignores it.

 

[augie47]

I agree with Smart but add:
For a moment lets say you had two service panels, 250.64(D) would require each to have a GEC and (D)(2) would allow a GEC from each to your electrode. There you would also have a parallel path but it's Code acceptable. There are instanceds where your electrode system sets up parallel paths but as Smart$ noted it is pretty much ignored by the NEC.
A GEC from the meter only is acceptable by NEC. Some POCOs require it, some won't allow it. Apparently that POCO wants it and they have the right to determine how they want their meter bases grounded.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Every service with metal raceway between the meter and the panel has a parallel path.

 

[roger]

Don pointed out to me awhile back that electrons work differently on the line side of the service disconnect so there is no problem.

Roger

 

[iwire]

Do they really have a say on anything that happens on the load side of a meter base? The way I see it the demarcation is the line side terminals of meterbase. From then on the NEC takes effect.

Yes, they have a say. The way they have this is by by the terms of service agreed to by the customer. These terms of service are typically approved by a public utility commission and if the customer wants power they must agree to them.

Things like the grounding, the type and sizes of loads allowed to be connected are often in the terms of service.

 

[kwired]

Route your GEC in a location where it will not be convenient for them to tap to, then they will likely drive their own rod instead of tapping your GEC:happyyes: