Installed a sub panel yesterday for a small fountain control box. Ran a 4 wire from main panel to fountain controller which is basically a panel with low volt controller in upper part of panel. We have installed several of these and never been required to drive a gr rod. This inspector is calling the post its mounted to a "separate structure" therefore requiring a gr rod. What do u guys think?
Ground rod required at sub panel mounted on a post???
- Thread starter 1haz
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jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
Is the circuit feeding this 'sub-panel' a branch circuit or a feeder? 250.32(A) and exception.
One branch circuit-no.
Feeder-yes.
You would prolly need 2 rods.
One branch circuit-no.
Feeder-yes.
You would prolly need 2 rods.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
The 2017 NEC has attempted to fix the previously ambiguous definition of a structure. As Jumper stated a structure that is supplied by a single circuit without a panel does not require a GES so the point is moot.
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
The other day I was installing a ground for for a panel on post installation. I had installed the panel months before and I knew how rocky the soil was from when I had the trench dug. The ground rod went down 4 feet and stopped dead. I gave it the sawzall treatment. 
I never considered a post being constructed or built. it was placed in the ground as a means to support a pvc box (enclosure) manufactured by the fountain company with a built in bus to house their GFI breaker for the fountain and the GFI breaker for the light.
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
Someone had to chop down a tree and haul it somewhere to make it a post, it didn't grow there.
I agree with you but that is what the inspector is going to say. That's what my inspector said to me anyway when I had a similar install.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
I wouldn't consider it to be one either but there are many who do.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
That's why we look for dead trees.
The other day I was installing a ground for for a panel on post installation. I had installed the panel months before and I knew how rocky the soil was from when I had the trench dug. The ground rod went down 4 feet and stopped dead. I gave it the sawzall treatment.
And I can only hope you filed off the saw marks and mushroomed the head with sledgehammer for inspector :lol:
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
GerryB
Senior Member
- Location
- woodbridge, ct. USA
You pulled it out and cut off the bottom 4 feet rightThe other day I was installing a ground for for a panel on post installation. I had installed the panel months before and I knew how rocky the soil was from when I had the trench dug. The ground rod went down 4 feet and stopped dead. I gave it the sawzall treatment.
bullheimer
Senior Member
- Location
- WA
round here they are not a structure. still, most equipment on a post needs one ground rod, as in a temp pole. dont need two. but that's here in wa. and please note: 2017 not in force. (at this time)
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
You pulled it out and cut off the bottom 4 feet right
:lol::thumbsup:
- Location
- Massachusetts
Like the NEC for one.
If not there would be no need for an exception for a disconnect at a homes lamp post
- Location
- Massachusetts
:?
Do you use another. NEC?
Because it is a structure.
it might need two to comply with the NEC.
bullheimer
Senior Member
- Location
- WA
my inspectors wouldnt pass it if it didn't comply with the nec would they?
hahaha, yes they would if the WAC or RCW's (wa state rules) differed.
also if a meter is by itself on a pole, w/o any breakers, feed in, then out in same pipe, one ground rod. i am thinkin, if it is a service, now that i think about what i've done here, that two ARE required just because it's a service. whatever exception there is, and i'm not sure it is a local thing or not, the one ground rod rule does not apply to a service on a pole. at least not where i am. your results may differ.
again, as to the 'structure' of a pole, the 2017 has not been adopted yet. i couldnt tell you what the 2014 says about it however and that HAS been adopted. yes i am admitting that i never bought a 2014 codebook!!!! thats because i dont buy codebooks, just handbooks, and i already have my 2017!!! how it that possible!!!!! (Platt).
hahaha, yes they would if the WAC or RCW's (wa state rules) differed.
also if a meter is by itself on a pole, w/o any breakers, feed in, then out in same pipe, one ground rod. i am thinkin, if it is a service, now that i think about what i've done here, that two ARE required just because it's a service. whatever exception there is, and i'm not sure it is a local thing or not, the one ground rod rule does not apply to a service on a pole. at least not where i am. your results may differ.
again, as to the 'structure' of a pole, the 2017 has not been adopted yet. i couldnt tell you what the 2014 says about it however and that HAS been adopted. yes i am admitting that i never bought a 2014 codebook!!!! thats because i dont buy codebooks, just handbooks, and i already have my 2017!!! how it that possible!!!!! (Platt).
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