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grounding a 400 amp service

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wayne123

Senior Member
Location
North Carolina
I am wiring a house that does not have any metal water pipes.The inspector told me that all I needed to do is drive 2 ground rods and the service is grounded. My question is should there be a concrete encased electrode or a plate electrode installed as a supplemental ground?
 
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bennie

Esteemed Member
Re: grounding a 400 amp service

The inspector is correct. The made electrode is all that is required. Other electrodes, if available, must be bonded to the made electrode.
 
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bennie

Esteemed Member
Re: grounding a 400 amp service

Trivia... The term "Made electrode" originated from the term "artificial electrode". A water pipe was considered a natural electrode. Often a 3/4 inch galvanized pipe was driven, when there was no natural electrode available.

The driven pipe or rod was considered as being a made electrode. Go figure, who cares? Why not call the electrodes, rod, pipe, or plate? Even I can understand that terminology.

[ June 06, 2003, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: bennie ]
 
dereckbc

dereckbc

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Plano, TX
Re: grounding a 400 amp service

Wayne, If you read 250.50 you will notice the first sentence says "If availible on the premises at each building or structure served, each item in 250.52(A)(1) through (A)(6) shall be bonded together to form a grounding electrode system".

As you know the six electrodes are metal underground water pipe, structural steel, ufer, ground ring, rod & pipe, or plates. If you you are the electrical contractor wiring the house and find no electrodes availible, you really only have three choices which are to add either a ground ring, plate, or rods. All electricians I know choose the easy way out unless otherwise specified. RODS.

The only thing I can add is even if the water service is not metalic you are still required to bond the copper water pipe used in the building.

[ June 06, 2003, 12:11 PM: Message edited by: dereckbc ]
 
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wayne123

Senior Member
Location
North Carolina
Re: grounding a 400 amp service

thank you.Who needs a code book when you guys are around. I just come in here ask a question and wait alittle while.Most of the time my first thought was right anyway but it is reassuring to know that I can ask someone who has had the same experiences. ;)
 
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