Can anyone give me a quick rundown on what exactly is required when it comes to grounding and bonding in regards to low voltage. If not can someone point me to the correct secion in the 2008 code, or refer me to some good literature that would help me clarify this? I know this may be a stupid question, but I have read so much into this latley that I have confused myself, I need to hear it or read it in more simple terms. Thanks in advance for your help.
Grounding and Bonding for Low Voltage?
- Thread starter joquinn
- Start date
- Status
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
It depends on what the "low voltage" is. Generally speaking, "low voltage" circuits don't have to be grounded, per 250.20(A), but again, thats a very general answer.
ryan_618 said:
Thats so funny you should say that,,
It also depends on what continent you are on also as to what is meant by low voltage as i was qucikly exposed to.
When over in Iraq, we ordered an air compressor (huge) form the states. It arrived.,, The first thing out of one of my german employee's mouth was,,,,
"we gotta rewire this so its not wired low voltage".
I said,, dude, its 240 already,,,
"his reply, yep but we are 230v. Im like,,duhh
wshoard
Member
- Location
- Tallahassee, FL
joquinn said:
Are you talking CATV, POTS, Satellite, Off Air Antennas or what?
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Jeff, typically the NEC does not require grounding for circuits under 50 volts.
But the NEC does not use the term low voltage, its electrician slang and leads to confusion.
For example, low voltage track lighting is in Article 411-Lighting Sytems operating at less than 30 volts or less
48 Volt farm wiring from the 1930s is Article 720, Circuits and equipment operating at less than 50 volts
Thermostat wiring, the classic low voltage system, is in Article 725 Class 1,2,3 remote control, signaling and power limited circuits.
But sometimes a thermostat circuit, which is a class 2 circuit, requires a grounded conductor when it runs overhead between two buildings.
But coax, which is really no voltage, has to have the shield grounded where it comes into a building.
But the NEC does not use the term low voltage, its electrician slang and leads to confusion.
For example, low voltage track lighting is in Article 411-Lighting Sytems operating at less than 30 volts or less
48 Volt farm wiring from the 1930s is Article 720, Circuits and equipment operating at less than 50 volts
Thermostat wiring, the classic low voltage system, is in Article 725 Class 1,2,3 remote control, signaling and power limited circuits.
But sometimes a thermostat circuit, which is a class 2 circuit, requires a grounded conductor when it runs overhead between two buildings.
But coax, which is really no voltage, has to have the shield grounded where it comes into a building.
- Status