Does installing a grounding electrode at a seperate structure according to 250.32, become 2 because of 250.56?
Imo, yes it does. Two rods or a cee
Imo, yes it does. Two rods or a cee
When none are present I am sent to 250.50 and there I'm told to pick one from a list ,.. I know all about 250.56 but nothing sends us there ,.. that was the reasoning any way and they were quite sure of themselves if you know what I mean ,.. I wonder if it was the same folks Bob had at his seminar"shall have a grounding electrode or grounding electrode system"
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5-120 Log #1298 NEC-P05 Final Action: Accept
(250.32(A))
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Submitter: Joseph Whitt, JW Electric
Recommendation: Revise text to read:
250.32 Buildings or Structures Supplied by Feeder(s) or Branch Circuit(s).
(A) Grounding Electrode. Building(s) or structure(s) supplied by feeder(s) or
branch circuit(s) shall have a grounding electrode or grounding electrode
system installed in accordance with 250.50 Part III of 250 . The grounding
electrode conductor(s) shall be connected in accordance with 250.32(B) or (C).
Where there is no existing grounding electrode, the grounding electrode(s)
required in 250.50 shall be installed.
Substantiation: As now worded, 250.32(A) only states that this grounding
electrode is required to conform to the provisions of 250.50 and nowhere in
250.50 does it refer to 250.53(D) nor 250.56.
As an instructor of both electrical contractors and inspectors in the state of
North Carolina, the most asked questions on grounding are about 250.32(A).
The questions I am always asked are:
What are the requirements for the grounding electrode system at a building or
structure fed by a feeder? If a water pipe that is in contact with the earth for
more than ten feet and then it is connected to a nonmetallic pipe is used as the
grounding electrode is it required to conform with 250.53(D)?
If a ground pipe or rod is used as the electrode, is it required to conform to
250.56?
By adding that 250.32(A) must comply to Part III of 250 would be all
encompassing and include the supplementary addition of another electrode
outlined in 250.53(D)(2) and the resistance to ground of a rod, pipe, or plate
found in 250.56. There would be conformity to the grounding electrode system
between a feeder that supplies another building or structure and at a service.
Panel Meeting Action: Accept
Number Eligible to Vote: 15
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 15
Not that my opinion matters, but I don't know that I can agree with the seminar gurus. While it's true that you are only referenced to 250.50, it would seem the other pertinent articles can not be ignored. If we choose not to address 250.56 can we then not also ignore 250.53(G) and not drive them 8 ft in the ground, or ignore 250.53(B) and use a rod covered in paint ?
Recommendation:
Revise the title and Section 250.32 as follows:
250.32 Two or More Buildings or Structures Supplied by a Feeder(s) or Branch Circuit(s) from a Common Service.
(A) Grounding Electrode. Where two or more buildings or structures are supplied from a common ac service by a feeder(s) or
branch circuit(s), the grounding electrode(s) required in Part III of this article at each building or structure shall be connected in
the manner specified in 250.32(B) or (C). Where there are no existing grounding electrodes, the grounding electrode(s) required in
Part III of this article shall be installed.
Panel Meeting Action: Accept in Principle
Revise 250.32 title and 250.32(A) to read as follows:
250.32 Buildings or Structures Supplied by Feeder(s) or Branch Circuit(s)
.
(A) Grounding Electrode. Building(s) or structure(s) supplied by feeder(s) or branch circuit(s) shall have a grounding electrode or
grounding electrode system installed in accordance with 250.50. The grounding electrode conductor(s) shall be connected in accordance
with 250.32(B) or (C). Where there is no existing grounding electrode, the grounding electrode(s) required in 250.50 shall be installed.
Exception: A grounding electrode shall not be required where only a single branch circuit supplies the building or structure and the
branch circuit includes an equipment bonding conductor for grounding the conductive non-current-carrying parts of equipment. For
the purpose of this section, a multiwire branch circuit shall be considered as a single branch circuit.
I'm confused. Looking at the language in 250.32, I'm required to look at "Part III" not 250.50 anymore. So what's the problem?