Sub-Panel Ground

[dtribble]

If a sub-panel in a detatched building is located about 15' inside the building, not on an outside wall, is it permissable to run the conductor for the ground rods "up" the inside wall, "over" the ceiling joists, "down" the outside wall and then "through" the outside wall to get to the ground rods?

 

[infinity]

If a sub-panel in a detatched building is located about 15' inside the building, not on an outside wall, is it permissable to run the conductor for the ground rods "up" the inside wall, "over" the ceiling joists, "down" the outside wall and then "through" the outside wall to get to the ground rods?

What size conductor are you running?

 

[roger]

I assume your question means the disconnect/main for this detached building is in this panel since you are grounding at this point, if this is the case, 225.32 (nearest the point of entrance of the conductors) may be the biggest problem.

Roger

 

[dtribble]

I am the GC and because this project is in the planning stages I have not hired an electrician yet. The HO decided he liked this located better than those shown on the CD's. I have always heard that grounding conductors need to be run downward, but wanted to check before telling him that his sub-panel location on an interior wall may need to be revisited.

 

[roger]

Once again, the path of the GEC is probably not the real problem. How far does your local inspectors allow the main panel to be inside the building when fed directly from the meter?

This distance will probably be the same as this sub-panel is allowed to be inside this building.

As far as the GEC, it can be run anyway it takes to get it to the GE.

If the panel really needs to be located at this location a disconnect can be mounted outside the building.

Roger

 

[dtribble]

Thanks. That gives me to options to consider when I go out for bids from EC's.

 

[Cavie]

There is no Max distance for GEC. Many times, the ufer ground is on the oppiset side of the house and is run thru the attic to the other side. Up, down, sideways, Electricty knows no direction.

 

[eprice]

dtribble,

I agree with Roger, in that the requirement in 225.32 that the disconnect be located nearest the point of entrance into the building is likely to be your biggest problem with a location 15' inside the building. Will this detached building be slab on grade? Will it have a concrete slab floor at least 2" thick? When you talk to your EC discuss Section 230.6 with him and the AHJ. It is likely that by running the feeder under the slab (using a propper wiring method) and up into the disconnect panel you will be able to keep it in the location desired.

Edit to add: I think that Roger's suggestion of a separate disconnect on the outside of the building would be a prefered option because it keeps the disconnect more accessible from the outside of the building and it allows the ground rod conductor to be kept outside the building. As has been mentioned, the NEC does not prohibit the grounding electrode conductor from being run inside the building, but I always try to discourage it where practicle, because it doesn't seem wise to give lightning any invitation to travel inside the building.

 

[dtribble]

Thanks for all the information. I think a planning meeting between the HO and the two EC's I'm getting prices from is in order. I was trying to spec it out to the EC's for bidding purposes, but perhaps it's better for me to let the EC's establish the SOW based on the HO's input.

 

[George Stolz]

the point of my post was if the conduit is run per 230.6 the nearest point of entry is where the conduit penertrates the slab. So you could install this panel anywhere inside of the building.

Sort of. In Colorado, "inside nearest entry of the conductors" is generally only allowed to be a back-to-back mounting of a meter on the outside, and a disconnect on the inside. We're only permitted inches, not the three feet it would take to get inside a panel from below, in most cases.

It varies by area. I've heard some interpretations of "nearest" as being 20 feet or more.

BTW, I think you made your point clearer in your second post than your first. We all own code books, if you just cite the number, we can follow along.