Grounding and bonding

[Laxdad74]

I’m getting ready to wire up a “SMART PERGOLA” from Arcadia Smart Pergolas and have a question about the binding of the steel. These things have several options for electrical installation and can have ceiling fans, lights, heaters and the louvers are motorized with optional motorized screens and vinyl. Since it is a steel frame and may or may not be attached to the house or building, my opinion is that it needs to be bonded. As of now I haven’t wired one up but they tell me the ceiling fans are controlled by the switch in the house or from a switch that I can install on a coloum. How would I bind the steel so that if it ever were to get energized the bonding would protect and trip out? Please help me

 

[hbiss]

You would consider it the same as any other detached structure. The steel frame gets bonded to the EGC from however you decide to run power to it (feeder or branch circuits). It also will require a ground rod off that same EGC.

-Hal

 

[tom baker]

If you run a multiwire branch circuit, IE 12/3 with ground, then no grounding electrode is required.
250.32 (A) exception.
But since you are trenching, suggest installing a 1" PVC to a small panel, and then of course you will need two ground rods. Now you have ample power for future.
And run a second 1" PVC for communications, cameras, etc.