Grounding Conductor Insulation

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JCMORTON

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I've used stranded copper MTW,THWN,THHN for service grounding conductor for ten years without a problem. Recently, it was suggested that the insulation is not suitable for direct burial between ground rods. Any comments ?
 
JCMORTON said:
I've used stranded copper MTW,THWN,THHN for service grounding conductor for ten years without a problem. Recently, it was suggested that the insulation is not suitable for direct burial between ground rods. Any comments ?
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Strip the insulation off.

Roger
 
JCMORTON said:
I've used stranded copper MTW,THWN,THHN for service grounding conductor for ten years without a problem. Recently, it was suggested that the insulation is not suitable for direct burial between ground rods. Any comments ?
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I think that whoever told you that is kind of missing the boat. :smile:

The GEC can be solid or stranded, insulated, covered or bare.

Which of the above requirements does your GEC fail to meet?

It doesn't even have to be green in color.

steve
 
hillbilly said:
I think that whoever told you that is kind of missing the boat. :smile:

The GEC can be solid or stranded, insulated, covered or bare.

Which of the above requirements does your GEC fail to meet?

It doesn't even have to be green in color.

steve
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I agree this is described in 250
 
see 250.119

In particular - 250.119(A)
 
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It doesn't even have to be green in color.

steve[

doesnt it say in the 2008 code that anything smaller than #6awg has to be a continous color and cannot be identified by tape? Dont have my code book here right now
 
fireryan said:
It doesn't even have to be green in color.

steve[

doesnt it say in the 2008 code that anything smaller than #6awg has to be a continous color and cannot be identified by tape? Dont have my code book here right now
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You're thinking EGC.

Roger
 
Making a contractor strip off the insulation of an open GEC that is to be buried is a thoughtless action. What will the end result be if it is bare or insulated and buried???


The only thing that makes even marginal sense is that the bare conductor makes more earth contact.....
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
Making a contractor strip off the insulation of an open GEC that is to be buried is a thoughtless action.
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I agree, but it sounds more like a misinformed (for lack of a better term) inspector than a thoughtless action

Roger
 
roger said:
You're thinking EGC.

Roger
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I dont think it says the gec is exempt, or maybe it does. I thought it said any wire smaller than #6awg shall be a continous color. Where is my code book when I need it?:D
 
fireryan said:
I dont think it says the gec is exempt, or maybe it does. I thought it said any wire smaller than #6awg shall be a continous color. Where is my code book when I need it?:D
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There is no requirement that the grounding electrode conductor be green. It can be any color except white.
 
petersonra said:
it does have to be insulated though, correct?
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No, there is no requirement that it be an insulated conductor.
250.62 Grounding Electrode Conductor Material
The grounding electrode conductor shall be of copper, aluminum, or copper-clad aluminum. The material selected shall be resistant to any corrosive condition existing at the installation or shall be suitably protected against corrosion. The conductor shall be solid or stranded, insulated, covered, or bare.
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Did you ever try using Type MC or MI cable? How about type SE? The code approves them for use as Service Conductor. Are these conductors of yours running with the service conductors? If so then you might as well use the same type of cable.
 
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