Temp Well house GEC

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JoeNorm

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I set up a temporary small well house about 50 feet from the main electrical service(within site). I know I am technically supposed to install two ground rods but I am wondering what they're actually accomplishing if anything? I ran four wires from an OCPD in the main service panel.

Just seems so overkill being so close to the main service which has it's own GEC already. If I am in an area with almost no lightning is there any safety benefit to the rods? Do they provide any personal protection whatsoever?
 
JoeNorm said:
I set up a temporary small well house about 50 feet from the main electrical service(within site). I know I am technically supposed to install two ground rods but I am wondering what they're actually accomplishing if anything?
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You could ask the same thing about grounding electrodes in general.

JoeNorm said:
I ran four wires from an OCPD in the main service panel.

Just seems so overkill being so close to the main service which has it's own GEC already. If I am in an area with almost no lightning is there any safety benefit to the rods? Do they provide any personal protection whatsoever?
Click to expand...
I don't think they provide any protection from lightning strikes. The code claims this is the benefit.

Electrical System Grounding. Electrical systems that are
grounded shall be connected to earth in a manner that will
limit the voltage imposed by lightning, line surges, or unintentional
contact with higher-voltage lines and that will stabilize
the voltage to earth during normal operation.
Click to expand...

I think the basic idea is to limit the voltage between the grounded conductor and earth. Whether this is actually much of a benefit is not real clear to me.
 
JoeNorm said:
I set up a temporary small well house about 50 feet from the main electrical service(within site).
Click to expand...
Does this 50' run qualify as a branch circuit or a feeder?

In other words, what do the conductors terminate in at the well house?
 
50Amp feeder. Feeds a small 6 space panel for the well stuff and a couple receptacles. I know by code it's supposed to have rods. I just tend to push back in these situations because I don't understand the point of them, and they can be a pain to install, and it's temporary.
 
In that case, you need to discuss this with the entity who will be enforcing it.

I wish we could give you permission, but we obviously cannot.
 
From a liability standpoint you should, but, in the event u have a metal well casing, it should be bonded to the EGC so the rods are even more ridiculous
 
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