Grounding pole lights

[Gc232018]

Can someone explaine the theory on how to properly ground a pole light does it need a ground rod or not and are we suppose to connect all the grounds together

 

[infinity]

The metal pole gets connected to the EGC run with the branch circuit. That's all that's required unless you're also setting up some type of lightning protection.

 

[Gc232018]

So then I was wrong about needing a ground rod???But wouldn’t it be safer if the equipment ground was separated from the pole heads

 

[electrofelon]

So then I was wrong about needing a ground rod???But wouldn’t it be safer if the equipment ground was separated from the pole heads

Say a chaffed wire contacts the metal pole. How would the fault clear if it is not bonded to the EGC?

 

[electrofelon]

Also, think about this: Say you bond the pole to an 8 foot ground rod. Calculate the surface area of contact between the rod and the dirt. Now look at your pole base which is a giant chunk of concrete with steel anchor bolts cast in it (probably wired or connected to rebar as well) and bolted to the metal pole. What is that rod doing that the pole base insnt already doing??

Take a look at this picture of a 100 foot transmission tower. Pretty funny once you start thinking about it huh?

 

[LarryFine]

The bottom line is that you wire it just like you would any other branch circuit.

 

[infinity]

So then I was wrong about needing a ground rod???But wouldn’t it be safer if the equipment ground was separated from the pole heads

Absolutely not. If you're relying on the ground rod to clear a fault on the metal pole it would be very unsafe.

 

[Gc232018]

Cool thanks everybody! Someon that didn’t know the difference must have told me that you had to put a ground rodgot to be careful about where you get your information.

 

[charlie b]

Take a look at the Exception to 250.32(A), and tell us what it means to you.

 

[bwat]

Take a look at this picture of a 100 foot transmission tower. Pretty funny once you start thinking about it huh?

The cowboy hat as seen in the shadow looks epic. Double thumbs up if that happens to be you.

 

[LarryFine]

Remember, this is a branch circuit, not a feeder, so the pole being a separate structure does not trigger the electrode requirement.