emboyer
Member
- Location
- Mechanicsburg, PA, US
Prior to 2008, it was acceptable to not install the equipment grounding conductor (E.G.C.) and rely on the grounded conductor (neutral) for fault return path if there is a short in the feeder. The neutral to ground bond would then occur in the remote panel. This method is still permitted in the 2014 Code so long as this is for existing applications and meets the three criteria listed. It seems like you are now being forced into including this E.G.C. from the source building and maintaining separation of neutral and ground in the remote building. My question pertains to the ability of any OCPD installed in the remote building to clear a fault when the building is located a great distance from the source. If you are no longer capable of excluding the E.G.C. and setting up this separate neutral to ground bond in the remote panel, this means the fault current would need to travel the E.G.C. back to the source circuit, through the main bonding jumper, then back through the neutral conductor to the remote building to clear the fault. This would be a great deal of line impedance that would reduce the short circuit current. The reduced short circuit current could potentially be below the pickup setting of the OCPD, not allowing it to trip. I don't see that the Code is permitting any special exemptions based on distance of a remote building from the source. It seems like this is creating an issue with the ability of these remote building OCPD to operate properly. Any thoughts on this issue? I can usually find answers by searching the forums for questions I have and have never really needed to make a new post. I have scoured the internet and Code forums and can't find any information about this distance between source and remote building question. All responses will be greatly appreciated!!