Service entrance conductors - grounding conductor

[cppoly]

Is there a code section that indicates a grounding conductor is not needed with service entrance conductors?

For a 120/208V, 3 phase, 4 wire service, there would only be 3 ungrounded conductors, 1 grounded conductor (neutral), and no grounding conductor right?

 

[infinity]

Yes only 4 conductors would be used
No EGC is required (or permitted in parallel with the neutral) to be run with service conductors because and EGC does not exist until after the point where the MBJ is installed. All bonding of metal parts ahead of the service disconnect is connected directly to the neutral.

 

[LarryFine]

Right. There is no EGC ahead of the service disconnect. All metallic enclosures and equipment are bonded by and to the neutral.

 

[cppoly]

Thanks.

The utility transformer is pad mounted outside. These secondary conductors go into a meter (service point) and then into a disconnect switch, which are both right near the transformer outside. From the disconnect, conductors go underground into a building's main electrical panel. Would the conductors from outside disconnect to the main electrical panel require a grounding conductor?

 

[augie47]

For years the answer would be a simple "yes" and that is still the case other than for an "emergency disconnect" as required for dwellings per 230.85.
If the disconnect you reference is a "service disconnect" the an EGC is required on the load side.
IF it is a "emergency disconnect" (230.85) or a "meter disconnect" (230.82) then the EGC is not necessary until after the service disconnect