Meter Base External Ground Bars

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daveselectric

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I was cited last week for not having an external ground bar on the meter base to accomidate the low voltage service entrance grounding. I have been unable to locate an external ground bar. Does anyone have any brand names and part numbers?

Thanks
 
daveselectric said:
I was cited last week for not having an external ground bar on the meter base to accomidate the low voltage service entrance grounding. I have been unable to locate an external ground bar. Does anyone have any brand names and part numbers?

Thanks
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I believe the meter base companies make them.
 
Just use your DTAPKIT drill and tap the bottom for a PK3 ground bar. That's what I've been doing.

T&B makes an external one, but it looks like sin. I hope to never use one.
 
I believe that some poco don't want any thing attached to their equipment.

You can connect to the ground bar inside and install a gb outside for the low voltage equipment would work . And this is just my opinon.
 
mickeyrench said:
I believe that some poco don't want any thing attached to their equipment.

You can connect to the ground bar inside and install a gb outside for the low voltage equipment would work . And this is just my opinon.
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You opinion runs counter to the 2008 code, at the moment.
 
I happened to go to a supply house counter and yes they aren't pretty.

The Counter help said the NC Board was looking at this,(I didn't persue that statement)
it but was for sale just the same.

I could only find the internal GB and could find the external one.
 
My county adopted everything in the 08 Code on 1/1/08 and even added a few things...but, they allow a piece of #4 bare CU in lieu of the that ground bus. It sems our POCO won't allow junk on their meters.
 
The T&B bar does look like doo doo by itself but attached to the meter can it is barely noticeable. Not that big of a deal.

What is more bothersome is that it is kind of a piece of junk and not very secure. The old corner lug the cable cos use is far better I'd say.
 
fisherelectric said:
I assume you all are talking about 820.100(B)(1) (in the 05NEC). What has changed in th '08?
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The rule in question is 250.94 and there were extensive changes from the 05 wording.
 
You could look at the EM-MB6 here. They only show a single lug on the website, but they have a 3 terminal version. I like it better than the T&B one, but I think Marc's idea is even better. I am suprised that the meter can manufacturer's have not come out with their own terminals for this purpose.
 
The T & B version is a "C" clamp affair that goes around the "meter socket enclosure" but the "service equipment" and the "grounding electrode conductor" are also points where the "Intersystem Bonding Termination" may be attached.

It's hard to believe anyone prefers this stuff to a brass split bolt on a #4 bare CU.
 
PK Ground bars

PK Ground bars

mdshunk said:
Just use your DTAPKIT drill and tap the bottom for a PK3 ground bar. That's what I've been doing.
Click to expand...

Marc,, I tried doing that on a new house a few weeks ago and the inspectors told me that the PK bars aren't listed for outdoor use. He didn't say I couldn't do it that way since none of the parts houses around here stock the T&B unit so far.
 
jsharvey said:
Marc,, I tried doing that on a new house a few weeks ago and the inspectors told me that the PK bars aren't listed for outdoor use. He didn't say I couldn't do it that way since none of the parts houses around here stock the T&B unit so far.
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Show me any sort of terminal rated for outdoor use, or less yet; show me any requirement that a ground terminal used outdoors must be rated for outdoor use. I'd tell the fella, "nice try".
 
daveselectric said:
Thanks for all the comments. Does anyone have a manufacturers name and part number for "old corner lug used by the cable companies" ?
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Dave,
The company I posted a link to makes those clamps, but I don't think anyone makes one that meets the 2008 code rule that requires 3 termination points.
 
I agree, options 2 and 3 would permit the bar to be indoors:


250.94 Bonding for Other Systems.
An intersystem bonding termination for connecting intersystem bonding and grounding conductors required for other systems shall be provided external to enclosures at the service equipment and at the disconnecting means for any additional buildings or structures. The intersystem bonding termination shall be accessible for connection and inspection. The intersystem bonding termination shall have the capacity for connection of not less than three intersystem bonding conductors. The intersystem bonding termination device shall not interfere with opening a service or metering equipment enclosure. The intersystem bonding termination shall be one of the following:
(1) A set of terminals securely mounted to the meter enclosure and electrically connected to the meter enclosure. The terminals shall be listed as grounding and bonding equipment.
(2) A bonding bar near the service equipment enclosure, meter enclosure, or raceway for service conductors. The bonding bar shall be connected with a minimum 6 AWG copper conductor to an equipment grounding conductor(s) in the service equipment enclosure, meter enclosure, or exposed nonflexible metallic raceway.
(3) A bonding bar near the grounding electrode conductor. The bonding bar shall be connected to the grounding electrode conductor with a minimum 6 AWG copper conductor.
 
True Marc, UL listing & Bonding Equipment (KDER) refers to fitting marking with the words: "Raintight'', "Type 3R", Type 4", or "Wet Locations".

Grounding & Bonding Equipment, Comunication (KDSH) says strap type ground clamps may be used "indoor only" except where permitted by the NEC they are suitable for indoor & outdoor applications, when used for bonding use only.
Further, ground clamps allowed under (KDER) are allowed under (KDSH).

The words "outdoor" only appear under (KDZC) Grounding Equipment, Neutral Grounding Devices, Over 600 Volts.

Our inspectors however have raised the same comment, then backed off on enforcement. Maybe they dug into it like you did.
 
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