New Service Requirements

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electricpartsforsale

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Our local power company is requiring ground wire to leave ground rod, pass through meter base with insulated wire, then hook into the main panel inside. Thus ground wire does not come into contact with the meter base. However, the meter base is not bonded to anything. Our AHJ does not agree and is requiring that the ground wire hook into the meter base, then leave the meter base and bond to the panel inside. We are trying to get them onto the same page to avoid confusion; any thoughts on if the power company is code compliant? And is the meter base and panel required to be bonded together even though they are connected with PVC?
 
electricpartsforsale said:
Our local power company is requiring ground wire to leave ground rod, pass through meter base with insulated wire, then hook into the main panel inside. Thus ground wire does not come into contact with the meter base. However, the meter base is not bonded to anything. Our AHJ does not agree and is requiring that the ground wire hook into the meter base, then leave the meter base and bond to the panel inside. We are trying to get them onto the same page to avoid confusion; any thoughts on if the power company is code compliant? And is the meter base and panel required to be bonded together even though they are connected with PVC?
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Some places will not allow you to make a GEC connection in a meter enclosure because they feel it is not accessible. 250.68

As for the bonding the meter enclosure and service panel together you should take a look at 250.92 (A) 2.
 
I agree with yired.

The meter base must be bonded. Usually the meter base is bonded by connecting it to the grounded conductor at the meter.

Take a look at 250.92(A) and (B).

Chris
 
No GEC to meter base

No GEC to meter base

Here in Bethlehem, PA the POCO doesn't want the meter base connected to the GEC or bonded to the panel. Inspector enforces this requirement.
 
I, of course, agree and add that, with the wording of 250.24(A)(1), the inspector should not have a problem with the POCO rule.
 
raider1 said:
I agree with yired.

The meter base must be bonded. Usually the meter base is bonded by connecting it to the grounded conductor at the meter.

Take a look at 250.92(A) and (B).

Chris
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All the residential meter enclosures I've encountered have the grounded conductor terminal already connected to the meter enclosure from the factory.
Then when we do our main bonding connection in the service panel 250.92 rules have been met. As long as there is no metal raceway containing service entrance conductors. In the OP PVC was used from meter to service panel. There is no need for bonding bushings or bonding locknuts when using PVC as a service entrance raceway.

We are seeing a lot more PVC used in this manner.
 
We land the GEC to the meter box. The water ground gets terminated in the circuit panel. They are bonded together by the grounded conductor.
 
jaylectricity said:
We land the GEC to the meter box. The water ground gets terminated in the circuit panel. They are bonded together by the grounded conductor.
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What do you mean by the "water ground"?

A grounding electrode conductor run to a metal underground water pipe that qualifies as a grounding electrode needs to be terminated at or ahead of the service disconnecting means in accordance with 250.24(A)(1).

When you say "circuit panel" are you refering to the service disconnecting means?

Chris
 
raider1 said:
What do you mean by the "water ground"?

A grounding electrode conductor run to a metal underground water pipe that qualifies as a grounding electrode needs to be terminated at or ahead of the service disconnecting means in accordance with 250.24(A)(1).

When you say "circuit panel" are you refering to the service disconnecting means?

Chris
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Terminating the GEC from the the clamps on the metal water pipe to a bonded lug in the enclosure that houses the main breaker.
 
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raider1 said:
What do you mean by the "water ground"?

A grounding electrode conductor run to a metal underground water pipe that qualifies as a grounding electrode needs to be terminated at or ahead of the service disconnecting means in accordance with 250.24(A)(1).

When you say "circuit panel" are you refering to the service disconnecting means?

Chris
Click to expand...

Quite a few areas in Ma have plastic water service . The water ground that was refered to is actually connecting the interior metal pipe 250.104, Thats almost a non issue in newer residential buildings with the expansion of PEX ( plastic ) piping. Ma has had to have an interpertation on this matter several times. the connection of the GEC in the meter enclosure is no less accessible than the connection of the grounded conductor. But then a gain in MA the POCO does not own the enclosure. If you dont want to run the GEC into the interior sevice Eq , fish it up the side wall and clamp it on the grounded conductor at the weatherhead. :D
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
What is the point in running thru the meter insulated if not going to use it ? Yet to see a meter base that neutral is not bonded to the can.
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Just a pathway to get into the house, rather than having an LB on the side...must use insulated so that it does not conduct with MB.

His fear for using the Neutral as a means of bonding is that if a neutral were "lost", then there would be no means of bond... my feeling is, well, what if the bond is lost...same difference.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
What is the point in running thru the meter insulated if not going to use it ? Yet to see a meter base that neutral is not bonded to the can.
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I completely agree with that. And also, what would be the point of the ground rod outside if you don't bond it to the meter socket?
 
stickboy1375 said:
Whats the point of a ground rod at all? :)
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Serves as a grounding electrode for the service; connects to separate ground bar in main panel and is readily accessible. Only reason to pass through meter base is 1) a means to change it if AHJ requires a connection at the meter base 2) a means to get to the main panel instead of drilling another hole into the side of the house and reaching the main panel that way.
 
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