Meter base grounding

Status
Not open for further replies.
Praedatus1 said:
It was always made clear to me that ground rods are ONLY to serve the main service disconnect, where neutrals and grounds join to form an illustrious union (lol), and that ground rods are NOT to be *anywhere* else, at all. They are NOT for random grounding.
Click to expand...
What about detached buildings or garages, cell towers, POCO pit padmount xfmer's? Well around here The POCO requires the electrician to drive one ground in the pit that they bond to.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Is a ground rod needed at the meter base? If so why? I think it is not needed.
Click to expand...

Dennis, what do you think of article 250.50. Looks like a GES is required to be installed. IMO the post is being served.
Rick

2008 said:
All grounding electrodes as described in 250.52(A)(1) through (A)(7) that are present at each building or structure served shall be bonded together to form the grounding electrode system. Where none of these grounding electrodes exist, one or more of the grounding electrodes specified in 250.52(A)(4) through (A)(8) shall be installed and used.
Click to expand...
 
RUWired said:
Dennis, what do you think of article 250.50. Looks like a GES is required to be installed. IMO the post is being served.
Rick
Click to expand...

Structure served. Hummm I don't think the structure is being served.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Structure served. Hummm I don't think the structure is being served.
Click to expand...

The meterbase is being served with a plate full of service conductors.I might add that there terminated in the meterbase and not just passing through, which IMO makes a difference.
 
Last edited:
RUWired said:
The meterbase is being served with a plate full of service conductors.I might add that there terminated in the meterbase and not just passing through, which IMO makes a difference.
Click to expand...

The meter base is not service equipment, it is simply a meter on the utility service comming in. I wouldn't even consider this the service point in other words its not premises wiring its service.
 
Last edited:
Praedatus1 said:
it says specifically that the earth is not to be used as an effective fault path...so why would you ever drive a rod thaqt is not bonded to service ground?
Click to expand...

Separate "structures" with more than a multiwire branch circuit require an electrode see 250.32(A).

Watch out though the rule is the neutral does not bond past the service disconnect, 250.24(A)(5) & 250.142(B).
 
tryinghard said:
The meter base is not service equipment, it is simply a meter on the utility service comming in. I wouldn't even consider this the service point in other words its not premises wiring its service.
Click to expand...

250.50 does'nt mention anything about service equipment. My point is that your serving the structure by terminating the conductors in the meter base and not just passing through.

Rick
 
RUWired said:
250.50 does'nt mention anything about service equipment. My point is that your serving the structure by terminating the conductors in the meter base and not just passing through.

Rick
Click to expand...

I believe that serving the structure means more than mounting a meter to it. There is no means to serve electricity to that structure. In other words you cannot utilize the power so it is not served.

It would be like go to a restaurant and not being served-- you couldn't say you ate there just because you were there. Maybe a bad analogy but you get my drift.
 
RUWired said:
250.50 does'nt mention anything about service equipment. My point is that your serving the structure by terminating the conductors in the meter base and not just passing through.

Rick
Click to expand...

They really need a definition of 'served'
 
RUWired said:
250.50 does'nt mention anything about service equipment. My point is that your serving the structure by terminating the conductors in the meter base and not just passing through.

Rick
Click to expand...

Well there are some overlapping codes (Article 230) but this being a service it's really not NEC regulated. Interestingly if this case were a feeder (Article 225) I would agree with you the pole is a structure.

250.50 does say "each building or structure served" though. I'm with Dennis the meter is not utilization equipment therefore it's not being served the distribution at the service disconnect is.

This would be a bizarre application anyway!
 
tryinghard said:
Separate "structures" with more than a multiwire branch circuit require an electrode see 250.32(A).

Watch out though the rule is the neutral does not bond past the service disconnect, 250.24(A)(5) & 250.142(B).
Click to expand...

I stand corrected. You learn something new everyday.
 
The best way to look at a meter fitting is to consider it a wide place in the conduit where the serving electric utility installs its cash register. You may install a grounding electrode or not. It is in the purview of the serving electric utility if they require one, we do not. Everything changes if you add a disconnecting means and overcurrent protection. Now you have a service at this location and a feeder to a structure from this point. :smile:
 
Praedatus1 said:
it says specifically that the earth is not to be used as an effective fault path...so why would you ever drive a rod thaqt is not bonded to service ground?
Click to expand...

I would not but it is allowed to add as many ground rods as you want to the EGC at any location.

A common example is when people put ground rods at light poles.
 
iwire said:
They really need a definition of 'served'
Click to expand...

In websters, the description of served is "to furnish or supply something needed or desired".Now to use that definition in my defense, i would say that the structure is being served by the service conductors because without the service conductors the meter base and post would not be needed with out them.
icon10.gif


Rick
 
RUWired said:
In websters, the description of served is "to furnish or supply something needed or desired".Now to use that definition in my defense, i would say that the structure is being served by the service conductors because without the service conductors the meter base and post would not be needed with out them.
icon10.gif


Rick
Click to expand...

Actually its the other way around, the meter is not needed but the service to the distribution is. The meter is only desired by the utility company.
 
well if it bonded through the neutral and it will serve no purpose except to just confuse us electricians i would have to say install a grounding electrode if you run across that situation. but i realy dont have an answer to your question.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top