Outside Work

[Alwayslearningelec]

Don't do a lot of underground work. This explanation may be too simplistic but wondering if you thought of time required for this install makes sense. Just want to make sure I'm not way off base. Thank you.

Scope. Area is 70'x70'. Most all work is underground with PVC schedule 40 and RGS elbows and XHHW wire.
All work fed from NEMA 3R panel
All work is 3/4" conduit except control panel feeds.
All excavation, backfill and restoration by others.
Mounting of control panels by others.

1. Install 600A panel and supports.
2. Run a feed to each auger control panel about 30' each - 2" w/ 3 #3/0 and 1 #6
3. Install (3) duplexes on low wall and (1) in storage container.
4. Install and feed Misc 20A loads in storage containers. Mostly roll up doors with push button.
5. Install and feed (4) 15' light poles(aluminum). Not bases. Also ground rod at each.
6. Install (3) 8' surface fixtures in storage containers with switching.

I come up with about (2) men 12 days. This is for 7 hour days. Looking at it I think this is very much on the high side.

 

[petersonra]

Why are you installing ground rods at the light poles?

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

Why are you installing ground rods at the light poles?

I know I know lol..makes no sense but engineer is requiring.

 

[Rock86]

Don't feel bad. I'm an engineer and I tried to argue with NYS Education that ground rods should not be required at light poles. I was overruled and told they need to be there. They have not been responsive when I asked for support documentation.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

Why aren't ground rods needed at light poles?

 

[infinity]

Why aren't ground rods needed at light poles?

Because the pole is typically bolted to about 2 yards of concrete buried in the earth.

 

[petersonra]

Why aren't ground rods needed at light poles?

It is not a code requirement

 

[mtnelect]

Ground rods are the "Holy Grail' of electrical work, don't just pound one, I always pound at least two on each project for good measure just to be safe !

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

Because the pole is typically bolted to about 2 yards of concrete buried in the earth.

And?????? im assuming any lightning strike will go from pole to concrete base to earth Essentially serving same purpose as ground rod?

 

[mtnelect]

Ground rods are the "Holy Grail' of electrical work, don't just pound one, I always pound at least two on each project for good measure just to be safe !

I have the ultimate ground rod hammer, it's called the "Monster Hamer". I can drive ground rods from morning to night !

 

[infinity]

And?????? im assuming any lightning strike will go from pole to concrete base to earth Essentially serving same purpose as ground rod?

Yes.

 

[xformer]

Doesn't a concrete encased electrode require 20 ft.?

Because the pole is typically bolted to about 2 yards of concrete buried in the earth

 

[infinity]

Doesn't a concrete encased electrode require 20 ft.?

Yes but a light pole does not require a connection to a grounding electrode. Many have opined, including myself, that bolting the light pole to several yards of concrete buried in the earth will be better than installing a ground rod.

 

[Rock86]

Why aren't ground rods needed at light poles?

Not to mention all of the other comments, but if you think about this an electrical piece of equipment... what benefit does the ground rod serve? If you have wired the system up properly, there should be a grounded a conductor as well as an equipment grounding conductor which should carry current back to the source and trip the breaker in the event of a fault. And, if everything is bonded correctly, every light pole should be continuously bonded to one another.