Parallel Sets of GEC

Status
Not open for further replies.

W@ttson

Senior Member
Location
USA
Suppose the GEC required is a 2/0 AWG. If you run 3 sets of #4AWG and irreversible bond both ends of the cables, would that be a code violation?
 

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
IMO, it would be a violation however, the code does not address this for grounding electrode conductor's. I would use 310.10(H) as a premise that doesn't allow parallel for smaller than 1/0. Again the code does not mention grounding electrode conductor's.

One can say that since the code doesn't mention it in 310.10(H) then it is not permitted to be paralleled.
 

dkidd

Senior Member
Location
here
Occupation
PE
Suppose the GEC required is a 2/0 AWG. If you run 3 sets of #4AWG and irreversible bond both ends of the cables, would that be a code violation?

If you have 3 raceways, a full size GEC is required in each raceway.
 

roger

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Fl
Occupation
Retired Electrician
Some AHJs do not allow conduit to be used as a EGC's
If they haven't made a formal amendment and they are inspecting for NEC compliance they have no choice in the matter.

Roger
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
Suppose the GEC required is a 2/0 AWG. If you run 3 sets of #4AWG and irreversible bond both ends of the cables, would that be a code violation?

The answer is yes it's a violation. You need to size the GEC according to 250.66 which has no provisions for paralleling.
 

W@ttson

Senior Member
Location
USA
The answer is yes it's a violation. You need to size the GEC according to 250.66 which has no provisions for paralleling.


I thought I read once in the forum that the NEC is a permissive Code meaning that if it doesn't forbid it then it is allowed, or was it the opposite that I read?
 

LarryFine

Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
Location
Henrico County, VA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
I thought I read once in the forum that the NEC is a permissive Code meaning that if it doesn't forbid it then it is allowed, or was it the opposite that I read?
The relevant question is whether the paralleling prohibitions exclude GEC's.
 

W@ttson

Senior Member
Location
USA
IMO, it would be a violation however, the code does not address this for grounding electrode conductor's. I would use 310.10(H) as a premise that doesn't allow parallel for smaller than 1/0. Again the code does not mention grounding electrode conductor's.

One can say that since the code doesn't mention it in 310.10(H) then it is not permitted to be paralleled.

Good point, I choose a poor example. Suppose you paralleled 2 - 1/0 to make a 2/0 equivalent. Or you are saying since Ground Electrode conductor is not specified and only "Grounded Circuit" is listed, it cannot be paralleled?
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
250.66 says size of grounding electrode conductor, does not include "or equivalent", as is leaves this open to interpretation.

Can you use bus bar as a GEC? If so how do you size it? All that is in T250.66 is wire conductor sizes and it doesn't say "or equivalent".

Food for thought, IDK the answer.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top