Grounding Question?

[ALLELECTRIC95]

Hey again. My question this time is concerning grounding requirements. I am working in an area where the utility company is saying I have to drive a ground rod in additoin to tagging the footings. My understanding is that there are three ways to ground. One is tagging the footing, one way is using the copper line, or the last option preferred is the ground rod. Can anyone tell me the section of the code that addresses this. I am wanting to only ground the footings and the utility company is telling me per the code I have to do both the footings and drive a rod. I want to show them in the code where my way is correct.

Thanks!!!!

 

[roger]

Read all of part III of articlcle 250.


This may be a moot point though, if your POCO really wants it, you will probably have to do as they say regardles of what the NEC requires.

Roger

 

[iwire]

The power company can, and many do, require ground rods in addition to any NEC requirements as part of the power companies terms of service.

You can certainly refuse to add the rod for them but at that pint they can legally refuse to power you up assuming the ground rod requirement is in fact part of the terms of service requirements.

 

[benaround]

ALLELECTRIC,

If you read 250.50 , it tells you all GE that are present 'shall be' bonded together. It's not tag slab or water pipe. ok.

 

[charlie]

We can do whatever we want because we are the power company. :roll:​

Actually, that is not a true statement. Talk to the serving electric utility's engineer (maybe even the chief electrical engineer) and show them what the NEC says (they may already know). It could just be the way the line department wants things done. If it is in their rule books, perhaps you can get them to change the rule. This sounds like a rural area where the electric utility actually does the inspection for service.

I know that this sounds like a lot of trouble but you may be doing a lot of electrical contractors in your area a favor. :smile: