Ground Electrode Conductor Connection With a Bonding Bushing

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ccarr7

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Hi Guys,

For a typical residential service installation where the first point of disconnect is at the main panel, we typically have the customer run the water pipe ground to the panel, and have a conductor from the ground rod installed thru the meter socket, then thru the service entrance pipe and landed in the panel. In most cases, the service entrance pipe is installed into the meter socket using a concentric knockout. Therefore, a bonding bushing with jumper is required at the connection. Any issue with the GEC from the ground rod being skinned and connected to the bushing while continuing thru to the panel. I can't imagine that there is anything wrong with this, but I couldn't find anything in NEC that directly addressed it, so I figured I'd reach out for a sanity check.

Thanks,
Creig
 
ccarr7 said:
Hi Guys,

For a typical residential service installation where the first point of disconnect is at the main panel, we typically have the customer run the water pipe ground to the panel, and have a conductor from the ground rod installed thru the meter socket, then thru the service entrance pipe and landed in the panel. In most cases, the service entrance pipe is installed into the meter socket using a concentric knockout. Therefore, a bonding bushing with jumper is required at the connection. Any issue with the GEC from the ground rod being skinned and connected to the bushing while continuing thru to the panel. I can't imagine that there is anything wrong with this, but I couldn't find anything in NEC that directly addressed it, so I figured I'd reach out for a sanity check.

Thanks,
Creig
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It is compliant as far as the NEC is concerned, but around here Dominion will not allow a GEC in their meter base.
 
Locally, most of the POCOs we deal with want the ground rod GEC terminated in the meter socket, however, I understand that some do not.
If I understand your situation correctly, the ground rod GEC is extended thru the metallic nipple installed between the meter socket and the inside service panel. I believe, per 250,62(E) you would need to bond both ends of that nipple either with a bonding jumper attached to the GEC (or terminal) or by looping the GEC thru the bushing lug.
That said, E/Cs at times route the ground rod GEC thru a connecting nipple on an outside service disconnect (same scenario as yours but outside) and I seldom see a rejection for no bond bushing in the meter socket.
 
augie47 said:
Locally, most of the POCOs we deal with want the ground rod GEC terminated in the meter socket, however, I understand that some do not.
If I understand your situation correctly, the ground rod GEC is extended thru the metallic nipple installed between the meter socket and the inside service panel. I believe, per 250,62(E) you would need to bond both ends of that nipple either with a bonding jumper attached to the GEC (or terminal) or by looping the GEC thru the bushing lug.
That said, E/Cs at times route the ground rod GEC thru a connecting nipple on an outside service disconnect (same scenario as yours but outside) and I seldom see a rejection for no bond bushing in the meter socket.
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True Augie, it varies with POCO's. Of the (3) POCOS I deal with most, (2) require the bond to the meter, and Dominion will remove it if you install it as the OP did. They will not allow a GEC to enter their meter, nor a seperate bond. Only the grounded conductor.
 
I would say that it depends. Say you have a 200 amp service and a #6 to your ground rod. In that case I would say that you can't use the GEC as a bond for the metallic raceway because you need a #4 bonding jumper for a 200 amp service. If you run a #4 to the rod then I say you are good but both ends of the conduit need bonding bushings.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I would say that it depends. Say you have a 200 amp service and a #6 to your ground rod. In that case I would say that you can't use the GEC as a bond for the metallic raceway because you need a #4 bonding jumper for a 200 amp service. If you run a #4 to the rod then I say you are good but both ends of the conduit need bonding bushings.
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Good point Dennis
 
Ground Electrode Conductor Connection With a Bonding Bushing

Thanks for the responses, guys.

Dennis..particularly good point regarding the #4CU GEC for a 200A service. The City requirement since I started here a couple years ago has been a #4CU from the ground rod even though NEC only requires a #6CU. So, I am covered for a 200A service, and will allow it to loop thru the bonding bushing.
 
Out AJH does not allow the GEC bonded in the meter as its not accessible once the meter is sealed. See 25.24(A)(1) for that requriement.

I am thinking the GEC must be accessible as it has to be lifted for electric pipe thawing, thats only what I've heard.
 
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