Ground Rod Proximity

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LLSolutions

LLSolutions

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Long Island, NY
I know if I am required to use 2 rods on a service they have to be 6 apart. what about this scenario, 400 amp service with primary grounding done off the cold water main. Two 200 amp MB panels I ran a #6 off each outside for the rods since are they required to be 6 feet apart since its secondary grounding?
 
LLSolutions said:
I know if I am required to use 2 rods on a service they have to be 6 apart. what about this scenario, 400 amp service with primary grounding done off the cold water main. Two 200 amp MB panels I ran a #6 off each outside for the rods since are they required to be 6 feet apart since its secondary grounding?
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They need to be a minimum of 6 feet apart. They can be 20 feet apart if you like, I see nothing wrong with your install although I never do it that way. I come from the meter to the first rod and leave the wire long enough to make the second rod. Of course you don't have to loop the gec. you can jumper between the rods.
 
The min 6 ft apart rule depends on your jurisdiction.

I'm wondering how you ran your GEC? Did you do GEC taps?
 
resistance said:
The min 6 ft apart rule depends on your jurisdiction.
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The NEC requires 6 ft minimum. Are you saying the PODCO wants something else or are there amendments to the code in your area.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
The NEC requires 6 ft minimum. Are you saying the PODCO wants something else or are there amendments to the code in your area.
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Exactly. Some jurisdictions require gound rods to be 12 feet apart. I did a service change in the city of Kirkland, and they required the rods to be 8 feet apart. It depends! Our State follows the NEC for distance apart for rods.
 
Let me see if I can put this another way, was I even required to use two rods? If it's only one service, is it two rods because i have two separate enclosures?
here's a more detailed setup on what i did. Service from transformer to Trans-S enclosure, from trans-s two four wire 3/0 groups each in its own pvc pipe in the deck, no gec required, each goes into a 200 amp MB panel. I have a 1/0 going from the water service to a 24x24 box, I have two #2 crimped onto the 1/0, so i pass with the irreversible means stuff. one #2 goes to each panel. Had this been a single enclosure with two switches I'm only required to run one #6 to the rod for my secondary means. I like the way i did it better with two rods 6' apart, but could i have looped one #6 from one panel to the other then out to one rod? If thats ok then couldn't my two rods be right next to each other. I'm only asking NEc forget poco, thanks gentlemen
 
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Question for Dennis. " I come from the meter to the first rod and leave the wire long enough to make the second rod" Unless its a meter/main thats a violation is it not?
 
LLSolutions said:
Question for Dennis. " I come from the meter to the first rod and leave the wire long enough to make the second rod" Unless its a meter/main thats a violation is it not?
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Maybe I am not following you but I am talking about the electric meter base. Some podcos won't allow it but ours does.
 
LLSolutions said:
Let me see if I can put this another way, was I even required to use two rods? If it's only one service, is it two rods because i have two separate enclosures?
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error working on it

Read art. 250.56
 
Ok where i am we can only establish a GEC from the first point of disconnect, other than a transformer pad. OK i'm gonna take it from 250.53B even if its the same system they have to be 6' min, thanks the same system thing had me for a minute.
 
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Dennis Alwon said:
Maybe I am not following you but I am talking about the electric meter base. Some podcos won't allow it but ours does.
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I believe they stopped letting us come from the meter in 1987--at least this is what I was told. The big arguement is rather it's accessible or not.
 
resistance said:
I believe they stopped letting us come from the meter in 1987--at least this is what I was told. The big arguement is rather it's accessible or not.
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I have heard that argument many times on this forum but it still flies here.
 
LLSolutions said:
Let me see if I can put this another way, was I even required to use two rods? If it's only one service, is it two rods because i have two separate enclosures?
here's a more detailed setup on what i did. Service from transformer to Trans-S enclosure, from trans-s two four wire 3/0 groups each in its own pvc pipe in the deck, no gec required, each goes into a 200 amp MB panel. I have a 1/0 going from the water service to a 24x24 box, I have two #2 crimped onto the 1/0, so i pass with the irreversible means stuff. one #2 goes to each panel. Had this been a single enclosure with two switches I'm only required to run one #6 to the rod for my secondary means. I like the way i did it better with two rods 6' apart, but could i have looped one #6 from one panel to the other then out to one rod? If thats ok then couldn't my two rods be right next to each other. I'm only asking NEc forget poco, thanks gentlemen
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In Wisconsin we are required to put in two rods no matter what. Saves time and energy trying to determine if the 25 ohm rule has been met.
 
iaov said:
In Wisconsin we are required to put in two rods no matter what. Saves time and energy trying to determine if the 25 ohm rule has been met.
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The POCO in Seattle requires two ground rods for temp power--spaced 8 feet apart. Top that!! :grin:

Most of everyone is putting in two rods!
 
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