Grnd Wire

[Alwayslearningelec]

Is nothing specified on drawings/specs and running lighting circuits for 120V lights in PVC coated galv what would determine how many ground you pull for each 1P-20A circuit as you could use the conduit for the EGC correct? Does that mean you don't need pull any ground wires? THanks.

 

[augie47]

Correct. If the raceway meets 250.118 as an EGC, no actual wire type conductor is required,.

(A wire type conductor might be required by the specs)

 

[suemarkp]

And if for some reason the conduit doesn't qualify as a grounding path (e.g. rigid PVC conduit), you only need one EGC in the conduit, sized per the largest source overcurrent device. If your's are all 20A, then one #12 EGC.

Be sure to check the plans for a note somewhere about always wanting an EGC in a raceway. Some places always want one.

 

[infinity]

On our last two big projects we no longer pulled in wire type EGC's with EMT. Doing so was always the norm but I think that designers are looking to save every penny.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

And if for some reason the conduit doesn't qualify as a grounding path (e.g. rigid PVC conduit), you only need one EGC in the conduit, sized per the largest source overcurrent device. If your's are all 20A, then one #12 EGC.

Be sure to check the plans for a note somewhere about always wanting an EGC in a raceway. Some places always want one.

Good points . It’s it pvc coated RGS. That doesn’t qualify as grounding path?

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

On our last two big projects we no longer pulled in wire type EGC's with EMT. Doing so was always the norm but I think that designers are looking to save every penny.

On our last two big projects we no longer pulled in wire type EGC's with EMT. Doing so was always the norm but I think that designers are looking to save every penny.

If you had RGS same you apply correct ?

 

[augie47]

Good points . It’s it pvc coated RGS. That doesn’t qualify as grounding path?

What do you base that on ??

(Hint: Look at 344.100)

 

[infinity]

Good points . It’s it pvc coated RGS. That doesn’t qualify as grounding path?

Look at 250.118.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

What do you base that on ??

(Hint: Look at 344.100)

Oh I didn’t really look closely at what sue mark said . He’s referring to non metallic conduit . PVC. Sorry

 

[texie]

To the OP, I agree with the others, but just would just add that you should use the correct terms. In this context this is an equipment grounding conductor or abbreviated as EGC.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

To the OP, I agree with the others, but just would just add that you should use the correct terms. In this context this is an equipment grounding conductor or abbreviated as EGC.

Thanks. EGC as opposed to what ?

 

[texie]

Thanks. EGC as opposed to what ?

Ground wire. There is no such NEC term. The slang of "ground wire" can have different meanings depending on the situation.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

Ground wire. There is no such NEC term. The slang of "ground wire" can have different meanings depending on the situation.

So when you see something like 3#10 with #12 ground. That ground is actually a EGC?

 

[texie]

So when you see something like 3#10 with #12 ground. That ground is actually a EGC

Correct.

 

[augie47]

If you see

So when you see something like 3#10 with #12 ground. That ground is actually a EGC?

An undersized equip. ground
(If the #10s are a 30 amp circuit, the EGC should also be a #10.. see 250.122)
(If it's a 20 amp circuit and the phases were increased to #10, the EGC would need to be a #10 also)

A possibly more correct scenario for your example would be (3) #8 and a @10, although it's possible the smaller wire could be a reduced neutral..

 

[LarryFine]

Thanks. EGC as opposed to what ?

A GEC, grounding electrode conductor, for example.