Metal Raceway/Junction Box Grounding

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fortunms

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Found this statement looking through some old Code Questions of the Day:

"When a metal raceway containing a equipment-grounding conductor is connected to a metal box, the equipment-grounding conductor(s) must be spliced together and connected to the box. This "redundancy" assures continuity of the ground-fault path in the event that either the metal raceway system or the EGC system fail to be continuous."

Is there a actual code reference or is this just a recommendation?? Doesn't seem practical on a large job with hundreds of 4" square junction boxes that may not even contain splices and are being used as pull points. Thanks

[ November 08, 2004, 02:52 PM: Message edited by: fortunms ]
 
Re: Metal Raceway/Junction Box Grounding

The way I understand it, (this is second hand), this isn't as strict as it used to be. Before the 2002 NEC, every metal pull box had to have the EGC's connected to the box. Now, this is only required if wires are spliced in the box, or if the box is used to support a or supply equipment.

In effect the code was discouraging the use of EGC's. It was easier to leave them out than to terminate them at every 4" square box. Leaving them out was code compliant, but running them and not terminating them was a violation.

Steve
 
Re: Metal Raceway/Junction Box Grounding

If there isn't an isolated ground and you're using conduit then you land the device gound to the box that is mechanicly bonded to the conduit that is mechanicly bonded back at the service.

Edit: I think the redundancy prevents two grounding circuits from developing.

Maybe if the NEC could sometimes say "why" (God forbid) we could actually better apply it.

[ November 08, 2004, 08:34 PM: Message edited by: physis ]
 
Re: Metal Raceway/Junction Box Grounding

Originally posted by physis:

Maybe if the NEC could sometimes say "why" (God forbid) we could actually better apply it.
Click to expand...
In my opinion, that is what the handbook is for, along with materials from people such as Holt, Stallcup, IAEI, et cetera. I would be rather upset if the code starting telling us "why" on everything...I think the book is plenty big as is :)
 
Re: Metal Raceway/Junction Box Grounding

Well, that's true. And all I'm after is easier. But I'll trade ya 4000 occurances of "luminaire (lighting fixture) for something useful any day.

And the hand book isn't legal. I'll also trade ya the code book for the hand book any day.

Complaining aside, better is good! :)
 
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