Grounding Conductor

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jap

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Electrician
On most residential installations you see bare solid going to the ground rod.
On most all commercial jobs the grounding electrode conductor is Thhn Stranded.
Is there any limitations to using Stranded instead of Bare for the Grounding Electrode 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.

BUT NOTE:
250.64 Grounding Electrode Conductor Installation.
Grounding electrode conductors at the service, at each building or structure where supplied by a feeder(s) or branch circuit(s), or at a separately derived system shall be installed as specified in 250.64(A) through (F).
 
infinity said:
Why would someone run #6 solid to a ground rod?
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Dunno.....I see it all time and ask the same question. probably some inspector mentioned it had to be solid.:roll: Also jap what size GEC was ran on these commercial jobs? Spec'd larger than #6 I assume. All that is required is a min. #6 to electode
 
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Dennis Alwon said:
That's what we use- bare #6 solid. I think the bare wire is cheaper than the insulated wire and they supply the solid-- more durable perhaps than stranded.
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That is pretty much the same around here.

Also, #4 bare solid is used almost exclusively for CEE's in my area.

Chris
 
They call for a #4 bare ground for a 200 amp service here.
and going from #6 to #4 is like the difference between going from 3/4" pvc to 1" pvc, although just one size different the characteristics seem a lot different.
#4 bare is harder to work with, 1" pvc seems a lot heavier than 3/4" to me.
 
jap said:
They call for a #4 bare ground for a 200 amp service.
#4 bare is harder to work with, 1" pvc seems a lot heavier than 3/4" to me.
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#1 that must be a local yocal call for a #4 GEC and #2 Ya think? Also, this was not nor did you mention a CEE did you?
 
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I've often wondered this myself. Why do some engineers spec a
250 KCMIL to a ufer ground? I'm sure it's a logical design reason
not related to the NEC. Can a engineer please make this reason known?
 
Karl H said:
I've often wondered this myself. Why do some engineers spec a
250 KCMIL to a ufer ground? I'm sure it's a logical design reason
not related to the NEC. Can a engineer please make this reason known?
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Engineers believe in the theory "the bigger the better" Unfortunately it is not always true. :D
 
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