Service Grounding Location

[smallfish]

Service Grounding Location

Is it National Electrical Code 2014 compliant if the grounding electrode conductor is run up the outside of a building and connected to the grounded service conductor, on the load end of the service point, where it was spliced to the utilities service drop?

Do you know if this Utility allows this method of service grounding?

(This service grounding single location only option seems to be suggested both by the 2011 NEC Handbook Section 250.24 on page 219 and in the Soares Book on Grounding and Bonding Ninth Edition page 67.)

Is it required that an additional connection of the grounding electrode conductor be made to the grounded service conductor at the service disconnecting means?

It seems to me that the premise electrical system would be effectively grounded using only the one connection at the service point. In some instances this could be a more practical installation.

In addition, the electrical equipment grounding could be made in the service disconnecting means by the use of a main bonding jumper from grounded service conductor to service enclosure.

Thanks

 

[don_resqcapt19]

250.24(A)(1) clearly permits that connection point. If the is on the load side of the service point, it really isn't up to the utility, although some utilities fail to understand that their authority, with the exception of the metering equipment, stops at the service point.

(1) General. The grounding electrode conductor connection shall be made at any accessible point from the load end of the
overhead service conductors, service drop, underground service conductors, or service lateral to, including the terminal or bus to which the grounded service conductor is connected at the service disconnecting means.

 

[electrofelon]

....although some utilities fail to understand that their authority, with the exception of the metering equipment, stops at the service point.

I think utilities can require whatever they want, unless the public service commission were to step in. Other than precedent, I am not aware of any codes laws or regulations that give a utility more control over the metering equipment than any other aspect of the electrical system they choose to meddle in...

 

[iwire]

I think utilities can require whatever they want, unless the public service commission were to step in. Other than precedent, I am not aware of any codes laws or regulations that give a utility more control over the metering equipment than any other aspect of the electrical system they choose to meddle in...

In most areas the utility can only require what is in the already been approved terms of service. They can not make up rules on the spot.


As far as the meter see 90.2(B)(5), it is typically outside the scope of the NEC.

 

[Brian Dang]

Is it National Electrical Code 2014 compliant if the grounding electrode conductor is run up the outside of a building and connected to the grounded service conductor, on the load end of the service point, where it was spliced to the utilities service drop?

Do you know if this Utility allows this method of service grounding?

(This service grounding single location only option seems to be suggested both by the 2011 NEC Handbook Section 250.24 on page 219 and in the Soares Book on Grounding and Bonding Ninth Edition page 67.)

Is it required that an additional connection of the grounding electrode conductor be made to the grounded service conductor at the service disconnecting means?

It seems to me that the premise electrical system would be effectively grounded using only the one connection at the service point. In some instances this could be a more practical installation.

In addition, the electrical equipment grounding could be made in the service disconnecting means by the use of a main bonding jumper from grounded service conductor to service enclosure.

Thanks

There are 3 possible places for connecting GEC, depending on installation cost, accessibility:

1) grounded neutral conductor at the service point as you said
2) grounded neutral conductor in meter panel
3) grounded neutral conductor in service disconnect

But the GEC only needs to connect to only one of the three above.

Therefore, no to question below:

"Is it required that an additional connection of the grounding electrode conductor be made to the grounded service conductor at the service disconnecting means?"

 

[iwire]

There are 3 possible places for connecting GEC, depending on installation cost, accessibility:

1) grounded neutral conductor at the service point as you said
2) grounded neutral conductor in meter panel
3) grounded neutral conductor in service disconnect

Code wise it is acceptable at any point from 1 to 3.

There is no code rule prohibiting us from installing a j-box in the service cable or raceway for the express purpose of connecting the GEC to the grounded conductor.

From a cost and practicality standpoint I agree with your three locations.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

The Illinois Commerce Commission does not give the utilities control over the electrical system on the load side of the service point, but you might have to fight with them, and probably not worth it on a single issue.

Our local electrical commission did fight with them on the issue of the utility requiring two ground rods at the meter, even where the NEC did not require any ground rods. They do not enforce that rule on services in our town now. The just accept our inspectors green tag now.