Supplementary equipment grounding conductor

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smallfish

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Detroit
A length of twenty feet of EMT encloses only circuit conductors and is run on wooden supports across an outside roof to an AC unit. The roof space is narrow and the EMT is subject to physical damage and separation from being stepped on or tripped over by workmen.

Does Section 250.96 (A) of the 2008 NEC with its reference to the "use of supplementary equipment grounding conductors" allow an electrical inspector to request that an equipment grounding conductor in the form of a wire be run with these circuit conductors?

And if so, is it permitted to run this wire either on the inside or the outside of the EMT?

Thanks
 
If the EMT has been installed per the rules in the NEC it is suitable for use as an EGC. I would see nothing in the code that would let the inspector require the installation of an EGC of the wire type for this type of installation. If such an EGC is installed there is no provision that would permit it to be installed external to the EMT.
There would be a question as to the suitability of EMT for this installation. Does walking on EMT expose the EMT to "sever physical damage"?
 
Supplementary equipment grounding conductor

Physical damage to the EMT would not probably be severe but the EMTconnectors could be pulled on by an errant kick of the foot and loosen their locknuts over time.

The EMT does not run tight up the side of the AC unit but stubs out and LBs down and across the roof. Looks like a hand rail that could be pulled on in a fall. Code only requires a support 3 feet from the connection to the equipment.

I probably should request the EMT be run tighter to the equipment but what Section allows me to request such?
 
We are talking about a roof not an sidewalk through elementary school playground.
It is silly to suggest it is subject to severe damage... but if the inspector insist that it is, then you can't use the EMT.
Don is right, he can't start making up requirements regarding the EGC...
 
in washington i believe the WAC requires the use of a supplemental egc whever emt is run outdoors. Does anyone know if the 011 code is going to require that as well?
 
Just checked and our WAC 296-46b-358 does require and equipment grounding conductor sized per 250.122 in wet locations. seems like if you were in Washington you are always in a wet location!!!
 
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