Help a home inspector out. 1960 house, newer panel. GEC was a grounding rod with copper wire going straight up to the overhead service bug. No bonding to meter or the panel. My inspection report calls that a red flag. Or is there someway that’s okay? Or is that a call an electrician comment?
No GEC from panel
- Thread starter zimm
- Start date
- Location
- Tennessee NEC:2017
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrician
Going to the weatherhead serves the same purpose as landing it on the neutral bar in the panel. We have one POCO here that requires it. The code actually says it can be connected anywhere from the service drop (weatherhead) down to the panel.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
As Bill stated not an issue as long as the GEC connection at the drop is done correctly.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
I feel it’s better protection on a lightning strike on power lines as the lighting energy goes straight to earth and not vi as the panel. But it’s not standard and causes
second looks. Thanks for asking, good question
second looks. Thanks for asking, good question
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
The code gives a wide choice as to the termination point of the grounding electrode conductor.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
It only needs to be compliant with the codes in force when it was originally built.
This is a common misconception I have encountered with home inspectors.
Fully Agree. But we don't act as code enforcers, just recommend that safety related things be upgraded "according to modern standards". We don't even use the word "code" in the report. For example just because GFCI by a sink wasn't needed at the time, it's recommended now for safety. Plus it's easy and affordable to do.
Fred B
Senior Member
- Location
- Upstate, NY
- Occupation
- Electrician
Correct only to an extent. You see a bunch of decora outlets, it likely was done during a period that required AFCI and GFCI. And the modifications would over ride an existing prior code build exclusion.