Meter can ground rod used as GE?

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wirenut1980

wirenut1980

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Plainfield, IN
Hi, the utility company I work for, requires a residential customer to install a ground rod at the meter to ground the neutral at that point. The question recently came up of whether or not the customer can use that rod as a GE as long as they do not run the GEC from the main panel through the meter can to the ground rod per company policy.

I don't have a problem personally with the customer running a GEC sized per 250.66 from the main panel to the ground rod and using it as a GEC, as long as they do not run the GEC through the meter can, however, that ground rod at the meter is typically there for communications companies to bond to, as I understand it.

It also brings up the issue of, does this meet 250.52 through 250.56. I think it might depending on what other approved electrodes were used and if they were considered to be present.

I know that I do not enforce NEC on anyone, just looking for some opinions on this situation.

What do you guys out there do in residential installations for your GES?
 
The rod is at the meter is a grouding electrode and is connected to the grounded conductor in the meter can. There is no reason to run another conductor from the service disconnect to this rod.
Don
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
The rod is at the meter is a grouding electrode and is connected to the grounded conductor in the meter can. There is no reason to run another conductor from the service disconnect to this rod.
Don
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So, on the customer side of the meter, is it typical to have their own (not separate, since they would be electrically connected) GES established?
 
So, on the customer side of the meter, is it typical to have their own (not separate, since they would be electrically connected) GES established?
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They are electrically connected by the grounded conductor.
Don
 
The grounding electrode conductor and system should be taken from the first point of connection to the service (i.e. your meter) to your lateral or drop anyway. I also hope that if it is a ground rod used as the electrodes the impedance meets NEC requirements or two are used...
 
Here in Pa. we install and bond the ground rod and the underground water line grounding conductors to the service panel. All bonded at one point.

Ken
 
Thanks for the replies. What I was looking for was for opinions on whether it is code compliant for the customer to use the ground rod at the meter as the sole grounding electrode, or whether they needed to install other GE's bonded to the ground bar at their main panel (in cases where their main breaker is the fist means of disconnect).
 
wirenut1980 said:
Thanks for the replies. What I was looking for was for opinions on whether it is code compliant for the customer to use the ground rod at the meter as the sole grounding electrode, or whether they needed to install other GE's bonded to the ground bar at their main panel (in cases where their main breaker is the fist means of disconnect).
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IMO this is a question for the AHJ in the area you service as some local requirements may not permit this application.
 
wirenut1980 said:
Thanks for the replies. What I was looking for was for opinions on whether it is code compliant for the customer to use the ground rod at the meter as the sole grounding electrode, or whether they needed to install other GE's bonded to the ground bar at their main panel (in cases where their main breaker is the fist means of disconnect).
Click to expand...
If the rod meets the 25 ohm rule in 250.56 and if there are no other electrodes listed in 250.52(A)(1) through (A)(6) available at the building then it is code compliant. If there are other required electrodes, then they must be connected to the grounded conductor at some point on the line side or within the service disconnect.
Don
 
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