service ground

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fisbn

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decatur ,ga by way of boston,mass
hey,
I installed a 400 amp service and mistakenly ran a #4 copper to the h2o.I had 2 inspectors(in a different county )tell me 2 different things.One said i had to have a #2 and the other said i could just run a #4 in parrallel.Who is correct,what do you think or a code reference?
thanks a lot
Larry
 
fisbn said:
hey,
I installed a 400 amp service and mistakenly ran a #4 copper to the h2o.I had 2 inspectors(in a different county )tell me 2 different things.One said i had to have a #2 and the other said i could just run a #4 in parrallel.Who is correct,what do you think or a code reference?
thanks a lot
Larry
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Use Table 250.66 to size the GEC to the water. It's based on the size of the service conductor, not the main CB. :smile:
 
Location: decatur ,ga by way of boston,mass
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Talk about culture shock, have you and you coworkers come up with a way to communicate yet? :grin:

See Wbalsams replies.

Roger
 
250.66 say 1/0 copper to water pipe.

250.66 say 1/0 copper to water pipe.

Grounding codes are confusing.:confused:
 
I was going to suggest if it is two panels and they are 200 amps. and you have a #4 run to one then the code will allow you to run another #4 out of your other panel and either take both #4s to the h2o electrode or make a unreversible splice to a #2 copper and take it to the H20 electrode.

If its one 400 amp. panel you will probably need a #2 copper to the H2o electrode.

Your Welcome.:)
 
ronaldrc said:
I was going to suggest if it is two panels and they are 200 amps. and you have a #4 run to one then the code will allow you to run another #4 out of your other panel and either take both #4s to the h2o electrode or make a unreversible splice to a #2 copper and take it to the H20 electrode.

If its one 400 amp. panel you will probably need a #2 copper to the H2o electrode.

Your Welcome.:)
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I don't agree. 250.66 does not give you that permission, IMO
 
Dennis I don't have the new NEC I'm looking in the 02.

If you have one see250.64 (D)Grounding electrode taps 250.66

I have installed double 200 amp to build a 400 that way for the last 20 years.

We run a #4 from each 200 amp. panel. it is size in accordance with the 200 amp. main breaker in the panel.
 
ronaldrc said:
I was going to suggest if it is two panels and they are 200 amps. and you have a #4 run to one then the code will allow you to run another #4 out of your other panel and either take both #S to the h2o electrode or make a unreversible splice to a #2 copper and take it to the H20 electrode.

If its one 400 amp. panel you will probably need a #2 copper to the H2o electrode.

Your Welcome.:)
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The minimum size GEC for a 400 amp service would likely be #1/0 from table 250.66.

And irreversible splices are not required when jumping from the GEC of one panel to another panel with a bonding jumper.
 
ronaldrc said:
If you have one see250.64 (D)Grounding electrode taps 250.66
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Actual the tap section does not apply but the Individual GEC does in art.
260.64(D)(2). I stand corrected-- I have always run a #2 in those instances.

NEC 2008 260.24(D)(2) said:
Individual Grounding Electrode Conductors. A grounding electrode conductor shall be connected between the grounded conductor in each service equipment disconnecting means enclosure and the grounding electrode system. Each grounding electrode conductor shall be sized in accordance with 250.66 based on the service-entrance conductor(s) supplying the individual service disconnecting means
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.
 
Dennis

I have always run a #4 from each panel.

Seems like ever location from county to county has its own way.

Would you have him pull the #4 he has allready run if he didn't have too?
I wouldn't.

But we don't know what he has?
 
ronaldrc said:
Dennis

I have always run a #4 from each panel.

Seems like ever location from county to county has its own way.

Would you have him pull the #4 he has allready run if he didn't have too?
I wouldn't.

But we don't know what he has?
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I agree- I just never realized you could run 2 #4 with 2 - 200 amp panels. It seems clear from my post of the art. that you can.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I agree- I just never realized you could run 2 #4 with 2 - 200 amp panels. It seems clear from my post of the art. that you can.
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How 'bout that? You taught yourself something. :smile:
 
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