two ground rods

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sparkmantoo

Member
Location
Virginia
i have a 400 amp meter base with two 200 amp fusible disconnects. each disconnect has seperate feeds to the meter base. after all the required groundind and bonding are completed, my last task is to drive the rods and run my #6 CU. my question is this, how do i connect both #6 to each ground rod, or do i only connect one #6 to one rod and the other #6 i take it to one rod and then continue it to the other, or do i take a jumper from one disconnect to the other and then go to the rods? or... :confused:
 
iwire

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
Re: two ground rods

NEC 2002 250.66(A) states the conductor to a ground rod does not need to be larger than #6 copper or #4 aluminum.

[ March 30, 2003, 12:20 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]
 
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jason

Senior Member
Location
Georgia
Re: two ground rods

I understand #6 is all required, I've simply stated I've never been allowed to use it in georgia. I've tried it a couple of times here and there, and every time I was made to change it to #4.
 
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jason

Senior Member
Location
Georgia
Re: two ground rods

BTW, I'm speaking of #4 copper, #6 copper is not allowed anywhere in the central Ga area. Of course everywhere else in the world it may be allowed to use #6...... Thats not the only thing we do different down here, I've also found that many places around the country are allowed to take the ground to the panel, as we are required to take it to the meter base.
 
amptech

amptech

Senior Member
Location
Indiana
Re: two ground rods

In my area, it depends on which utility is the provider whether you land the GEC in the meterbase or the main panel but it's never required to be larger than #6 cu.
 
S

sparkmantoo

Member
Location
Virginia
Re: two ground rods

1999 nec
well people i appreciate all the info on the two ground rod installation. 250.50(2)requires a supplemental ground for underground water pipes. which is what i am using. ground rod #1. 250.56 say that a single electrode consisting of a rod, pipe, or plate that does NOT have a resistance to ground of 25 ohms or less, SHALL be augmented by one additional electrode of any types specified in 250.50 & 250.52. the only way to find out how much resistance is there is to test it. in the state of VA, the only people that can test them are people who are listed with the state as a certified testing agency. mega bucks for a test. so the resistance to us is unknown. therefore, in their wisdom they require us to drive two ground rods in certain areas. as long as that resistance is unknown, we have to drive a second ground rod. seems logical doesn't it? we are not required to ground the meter base, only bond it. 250.102(c)
what i was wondering is how to connect two #6, one from each disconnect, to each ground rod and still comply with 250.56.
 
A

a.wayne3@verizon.net

Guest
Re: two ground rods

Two things: first what about 250.66????? I have always sized my egc in accordance with incoming feeder size table.Second,the egc must be unbroken.why go from disc. to ground rod????
why not come from meter base to ground rod or rods if more than one is required by local code??
In my area we have several jurisdictions that have different grounding requirements,Some allow uffer,some 1 ground rod,some 2 ground rods......
and then if there is metalic water pipe that must also be bonded to the service
 
don_resqcapt19

don_resqcapt19

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Illinois
Occupation
retired electrician
Re: two ground rods

a.wayne,
The full size grounding electrode conductor from Table 250.66 has never been required for a grounding electrode conductor to a ground rod. See 250.66(A). As far as a connection in the meter, many utilities do not permit that connection to be in the meter can.
Don
 
V

vanwalker

Senior Member
Location
lancaster
Re: two ground rods

don't want to argue the weather is to nice here today---but if it WASN'T read 250.53(e)2002 nec---you can not be that sure of #6-- the key word is supplemental. GEO
i can see that the glass is half empty, not half full, and i respect your opinion,we will use full size conductor when it is supplemental. have a nice day. GEO

[ April 03, 2003, 08:52 AM: Message edited by: vanwalker ]
 
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a.wayne3@verizon.net

Guest
Re: two ground rods

don the inspectors here go by 250.66 for the egc size.as far as the meter goes im sure that there are pocos that wont permit that.And ye the weather is kind of nice in here today.........
 
don_resqcapt19

don_resqcapt19

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Illinois
Occupation
retired electrician
Re: two ground rods

Van,
250.66(A) applies to all ground rods. It permits the use of #6 to a driven rod no matter how big the serivce is.
Don
 
roger

roger

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Fl
Occupation
Retired Electrician
Re: two ground rods

Allen, you keep saying EGC. Are your inspectors really making you size EGC's per 250.66?

If this is the case they are really off base, they should be looking at 250.122.

If they are talking about GEC's article 250.66 is more than just the table as Don pointed out.

Roger
 
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james wuebker

Senior Member
Location
Iowa
Re: two ground rods

I think that A.Wayne is correct Don. Everyone says to look at 250.66(A). But if you read 250.66, look at the FPN. It tells you to look at 250.24(B). There's your anwser for the size. I believe we are talking about a service hook up at the start. Let me know want you guys think.
Bye now
 
roger

roger

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Fl
Occupation
Retired Electrician
Re: two ground rods

James, 250.24(B) is refering to Grounded Conductor, not the GEC or EGC.

Roger
 
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