Grounding electrode requirements at site light poles

[rlqdot]

An inspector on one of my projects in California has told the contractor that he must bond the steel site light poles to the re-bar in the pole base. The contractor has installed a #8 copper wire bonded to the re-bar and intends to land that wire on the pole lug once the pole is installed. The pole (and the luminaire mounted on it) is served by a 208V-1P-20A branch circuit with EGC extended as a part of the branch circuit. It is my position that based on NEC 2011 article 250.32(A) Exception, bonding the pole to the re-bar is not required. It is also my contention that the anchor bolts provide a path to earth - just the same as anchor bolts in a structural steel building as spelled out in NEC 2011 article 250.52(A)(2)(2) so a separate copper wire bond is not required.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[petersonra]

An inspector on one of my projects in California has told the contractor that he must bond the steel site light poles to the re-bar in the pole base. The contractor has installed a #8 copper wire bonded to the re-bar and intends to land that wire on the pole lug once the pole is installed. The pole (and the luminaire mounted on it) is served by a 208V-1P-20A branch circuit with EGC extended as a part of the branch circuit. It is my position that based on NEC 2011 article 250.32(A) Exception, bonding the pole to the re-bar is not required. It is also my contention that the anchor bolts provide a path to earth - just the same as anchor bolts in a structural steel building as spelled out in NEC 2011 article 250.52(A)(2)(2) so a separate copper wire bond is not required.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

I think you are correct.

I think the idea of using the rebar in the base as a GE is dubious. Take a look at what the code says can be used as a GE and see if there is anyway it could qualify.

 

[charlie b]

I agree that a grounding electrode is not required in your installation.

 

[iwire]

Any feedback would be appreciated.

As far as the NEC you are right and he is mistaken.

On the other hand, job specs or local requirements may be the cause.

 

[jimdavis]

Ask him for a code reference.

 

[tom baker]

I have a study that shows the reinforcing steel in a concrete pole base makes a pretty good ground. I don't have the study readily available but will try to dig it out.

 

[petersonra]

I have a study that shows the reinforcing steel in a concrete pole base makes a pretty good ground. I don't have the study readily available but will try to dig it out.

I don't doubt that but it also probably does not qualify as a GE under the NEC.

 

[electricalist]

On a rescent job we had a ground rod in the base going to rebar in the base going to anchor bolt for light pole and ending at lug in pole. This was specified on plans.

 

[cuba_pete]

new code

new code

An inspector on one of my projects in California has told the contractor that he must bond the steel site light poles to the re-bar in the pole base. The contractor has installed a #8 copper wire bonded to the re-bar and intends to land that wire on the pole lug once the pole is installed. The pole (and the luminaire mounted on it) is served by a 208V-1P-20A branch circuit with EGC extended as a part of the branch circuit. It is my position that based on NEC 2011 article 250.32(A) Exception, bonding the pole to the re-bar is not required. It is also my contention that the anchor bolts provide a path to earth - just the same as anchor bolts in a structural steel building as spelled out in NEC 2011 article 250.52(A)(2)(2) so a separate copper wire bond is not required.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Auxiliary Ufer?:slaphead: