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76nemo

76nemo

Senior Member
Location
Ogdensburg, NY
Sorry for asking dumb questions on this forum. I was asked this question today that I couldn't answer. A friend from a factory that I used to work at asked me about using some stripped SO conductor as a residential grounding wire. I asked why he couldn't afford $25 for a bare #6 from the supply shop, and he replied that is not what he asked. He can grab some old 4/4/4 SO from work and wanted to know if he could strip some to have me run a rod at his house. I didn't have an exact answer, and I felt pretty dumb, but you all can see my self-proclaimed signature. When I say "strip", I mean stripped bare.

Would anyone like to enlighten me???
 
You can. In every instance where any type of bare GEC is talked about in the code, it just says "bare copper conductor". It doesn't say that it has to be any sort of article 300 conductor. It just has to be of a certain gauge and made of copper.
 
mdshunk said:
You can. In every instance where any type of bare GEC is talked about in the code, it just says "bare copper conductor". It doesn't say that it has to be any sort of article 300 conductor. It just has to be of a certain gauge and made of copper.
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That was quick, thanks Marc. I have never seen that application anywhere. If it's done, a picture I will get:grin: I initially frowned upon it for trying to pinch pennies, now I look at it differently.

Thanks again Marc:wink:
 
mdshunk said:
You can. In every instance where any type of bare GEC is talked about in the code, it just says "bare copper conductor". It doesn't say that it has to be any sort of article 300 conductor. It just has to be of a certain gauge and made of copper.
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250.62 also notes it does not have to be bare
 
Remember???

Remember???

I remember a study talked about at Mike's house and two 50' ground rods driven. I never caught the discussion about it, just a reference. Does anyone have a link? I have been meaning to ask this for awhile, but keep forgetting. What was concurred?
 
Personally I wouldnt use finely stranded cable wire for connecting to a ground due to corrosion and being easy to damage, If he insists on using it, I would encourage him to sleeve it in conduit anywhere its exposed. (we dont have to sleeve #4 where I live)
 
76nemo said:
A friend from a factory that I used to work at asked me about using some stripped SO conductor as a residential grounding wire.
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Well you can as mentioned.....but...

You will not have terminals rated for use with the fine stranding at either end of the run.

You would pretty much have to use compression terminals on the fine strand.
 
iwire said:
Well you can as mentioned.....but...

You will not have terminals rated for use with the fine stranding at either end of the run.

You would pretty much have to use compression terminals on the fine strand.
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Thanks, Bob
I was wondering about that just from a practical standpoint. About the time you posted I was thinking about what a poor connection the fine stands would make and was trying to think of a code reference to prevent such an installation. From your post, I would assume 110.3 would be the most appropriate ??
 
Personally I wouldn't worry about it after telling him it's code compliant but his mileage might vary with his inspector. You can lead a horse..
 
wireman71 said:
Personally I wouldn't worry about it after telling him it's code compliant but his mileage might vary with his inspector. You can lead a horse..
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Yep, we have one "Senior" inspector in my city who will not accept stranded for a gec to the rod anytime at all. If pestered about it he doesn't refer to article 250, he goes to that other thing 90.4 and thats the end of that...
 
iwire said:
Yes, IMO most of the terminals we run into are not listed for use with the fine stranding.
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But they make fittings to overcome that issue. The fact remains that you can still use this wire if a guy was to insist, but the terminations might exceed the cost of using more conventional materials. I might guess that a compression type pin terminal would be around 10 bucks each.
 
macmikeman said:
If pestered about it he doesn't refer to article 250, he goes to that other thing 90.4 and thats the end of that...
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That's why everyone has a supervisor.

Don't forget kids: Never trust anybody over 90 years old.
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"Eh, sonny?"
 
As Bob had mentioned, and Gus was pondering, the Stranded wiring is a Class 'C' type conductor. The terminations and the Lugs we use in our general every day applications are Class 'B' type terminations.

As Marc mentioned the conductor is okay, the termination would be an issue. If he insists, he can use the termination adapters.
 
Pierre,
I think the conductor in question has many more strands than Class C. MTW is Class C standing and a lot of THHN is dual listed as MTW. The standard terminal and connections are suitable for both Class B and C stranding.
 
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