Inspector requiring fitting to be used improperly

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roger

roger

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Speaking to my brother today (he's an electrician in FL) about an inspectors instruction for bonding on a high rise project he is involved with.

For what ever reason, the company he is working for has decided to use grounding wedges on one end of raceways to dry type transformers even though the raceways are overly bonded on the other end by means of bond bushings, now enter local inspector.

The inspector is telling them to add lugs to the wedges to attach a jumper to, IMO this is altering and using the wedge in a manner outside of it's design and listing by having to either change the screws supplied with them or in essence shortning them.

I know that this should not be a problem and probably never would be but, I still think this is using the fitting in an impropper way.

Just asking for opinions.

Roger
 
roger said:
The inspector is telling them to add lugs to the wedges to attach a jumper to . . .
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I thought bonding wedges came with a lug, which is the whole purpose of putting one on. What I've installed as a bonding wedge was used for an existing service installation.

You remove the bushing and locknut, slide the gap in the wedge around the conductors, place the wedge over the conduit threats, tighten the locknut against the wedge, replace bushing.

Now, place a jumper between the lug on the wegde and a lug attached to the inside of the enclosure. I had to do this to a service, on the conduit between the CT cabinet and the switchgear.
 
Well Roger , we just did 35 story 55 west high rise condo in orlando fla. and our main city head inspector here needs to see bonding bushings on each side of flex to vibrating electrical equipment like a transformer ,but a bonding wedge is not made to add a lug to it is when you need to bond something that a electrician forgot to put a bonding bushing on in the first place then you slide it under the lock nut to bond conduit to encloser I think hes giving you a hard time ? Bonding wedges dont come with lugs just a screw .take care be safe
 
ohmhead said:
Well Roger , we just did 35 story 55 west high rise condo in orlando fla. and our main city head inspector here needs to see bonding bushings on each side of flex to vibrating electrical equipment like a transformer ,but a bonding wedge is not made to add a lug to it is when you need to bond something that a electrician forgot to put a bonding bushing on in the first place then you slide it under the lock nut to bond conduit to encloser I think hes giving you a hard time ?take care be safe
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What code article states that a bonding bushing is required as you've described?
 
Well no NEC code artical its a local city thing if you dont do it you dont pass not worth the issue with the city inspector . But a grounding wedge is a screw and a ring and you can not add a lug to it this was not the purpose of the wedge its just to give a easy bond to conduit to case or encloser when one needs to or forgets to bond after wire is pulled in a jam. we like our city inspectors so we estimate each job downtown with bonding it helps on the next project like the new arena downtown we just got thur planning .best to ya
 
ohmhead said:
condo our main city head inspector here needs to see bonding bushings on each side of flex to vibrating electrical equipment like a transformer ,
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What is he trying to accomplish? A ground wire would have to be installed in the flex in almost all cases so he must be trying to make sure that the flex connectors are bonded. Sounds like Vest Pocket Rule #90.4.:smile:
 
Thanks, for the replies guys.

Larry, not saying your wrong but, I am in the same camp with Ohmhead (Nick) and share the opinion that the wedge is designed for "jamming" the fitting or raceway to the enclosure ensuring the connection without the need for a wire type jumper.

At least that is the way I have always used them.

Roger
 
ohmhead said:
Well we dont ask him why we just know what he wants , our company has a rule pull in a ground in every conduit its better .
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The EGC or bonding jumper is required in the flex so I can see why you would install it, but the bonding bushings aren't required unless it's a local code requirement.
 
Well yes we agree its not code req most of our jobs we install bonding bushings on every feeder we also pull in a ground in every conduit raceway even if its not called out NEC . For any independent supply or source it has bonding bushings on conduit meaning any unprotected feeders like transformer ,or generators ,we only use stranded wire on motors , we only use crimp lugs on terminations . we only cad weld grounding , were only aloud 3 x 90 elbows in one run , homeruns must be not less than 10awg , ect ect ect most of this is our companys rules and some our jobs specs . Most of our project specs cover any nec rule 110% its hard for me to understand whats right and whats wrong sometimes .take care
 
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