The electric meter is located on the utility pole which is probably 75' from the house. Over head service to house to service mast then into panel board. There is no grounding rod outside the house for the panel board, there is no grounding rod located at the meter. There is a grounding conductor running down the side of the pole into the ground servicing the coductors on the pole. Water service inside the house is also not grounded/bonded to the panel. Where should the grounding rod be located for this type of situation? This is in an older section of town and I beleive this is a isolated situation.
Meter Location/Ground Rod
- Thread starter VIC1958
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Grounds should be at the pole and also at the house. Are you doing this work or are you inspecting the home?
- Location
- Logan, Utah
I agree with Dennis, you will need a grounding electrode at both the pole and the residence.
Chris
Chris
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
There should be 2 rods driven at the house near the main panel and the water lines should also be bonded to the panel. If they are metallic water lines underground for 10' or more then the connection to the water pipes needs to be within 5' of where the water lines enter the house.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
That is a utility ground rod. Usally in this area they have a short jumper from the meter spliced to the pole ground. If the POCO owns the meter loop & pole, the grounding is their problem and while you may make the suggestions, the POCO will be the one to make changes there. Bonding & GEs at the residence is the major concern.
construct
Senior Member
- Location
- Branson, Missouri
I agree with the replies so far. Think about the purpose of grounding electrode systems and it may become clearer.
Buck Parrish
Senior Member
- Location
- NC & IN
It might be metered through CT'S on the pole. Then the meter may have just small wires in it.
Jim W in Tampa
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa Florida
2 rods at house is what is need today. If its not new then the fun begins. Services were not required to be grounded many years ago. So before you tag this job you need know date it was built and code year that was used. Likely it is grandfathered and no action can be taken.
tryinghard
Senior Member
- Location
- California
What’s weird here is the meter base on a utility pole? This a grounded type system though meaning the earth connection is established at the source (utility XFMR), after which all other buildings and structures shall have earth connection as well. Keep in mind the earth connections purpose is described in 250.4(A)(1) primarily lightning control, it is not the neutral current path that is the function of the "grounded conductor".
Notice 250.24(A)(1) the GEC connection can be made at any accessible point on the load end of the service drop to the neutral bonding location (service disconnect), this can take place at a meter base in between these points but usually this meter base is on the structure being served rather than a remote pole.
mivey
Senior Member
Some POCOs spec it that way.
mivey
Senior Member
We have many meters located at the pole. The customer still must ground and bond at the building which is where the disconnect is usually located and is usually the point of service.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Our AHJS don't allow a ground rod at a meter socket as the connection is not accessible after the meter is sealed.
Except if the POCO requires a ground rod
Except if the POCO requires a ground rod
tryinghard
Senior Member
- Location
- California
Nothing private on utility poles here, there are few exceptions with some small utilities though.
Same in my area
- Status