Grounding Electrode sizing

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inspector 102

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Northern Indiana
Given an 800 amp service, with grounding avaialbe to building steel, metallic water pipie, and made electrodres (ground rods), Would the grounding conductor size to the building steel and water line be 1/0 copper in accordance with Table 250.66? Would the conductor size to the ground rods then be sized at #6 copper in accordance with 250.66 (A)? Had a contractor run 1/0 to ground rods and I thought the maximum required was #6 with protection, #4 if protection against physical damage was not provided. Any assistance or comments?
 
Sounds like you have it all figured out except 1/0 is likely not large enough for the size of the service entrance for an 800A service....

The code specifies the minimum. Anything above the minimum is a design consideration.
 
You need #2/0 Copper to bldg steel and water pipe. You don't need the ground rods at all.
 
inspector 102 said:
Would the conductor size to the ground rods then be sized at #6 copper in accordance with 250.66 (A)? I thought the maximum required was #6 with protection, #4 if protection against physical damage was not provided. Any assistance or comments?
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Number 6 copper is all that is ever needed to a ground rod. It doesn't hurt to use a larger wire but it doesn't help any either and is not required by the NEC.
I have never heard of putting #4 with no protection. What code article can you cite for that.
 
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