Two Meter Combos - One Ground Rod

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physis

physis

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These are the same two stupid service panels on a two family dwelling. :?

Inspector today says I have two services therefore I have to have two separate ground rods, one for each service.

One question I have is:

Are two separate meter combos connected from one drop for a two family dwelling one, or two, services?

I can't tell from articles 100 and 230.

The other thing is, I don't know if anybody's heard this before, when I asked for a code reference that prevents me from using a single ground rod or both of these panels I got "I don't have to give you a code reference, you have to prove to me that you can do it", You can probably guess my response, although I was nice about it.

I tried to find something that supports his claim but I couldn't, that's why I asked for the reference.

Is there anything that says I need two rods?
 
If you do have two services.....

250.58 Common Grounding Electrode.
Where an ac system is connected to a grounding electrode in or at a building as specified in 250.24 and 250.32, the same electrode shall be used to ground conductor enclosures and equipment in or on that building. Where separate services supply a building and are required to be connected to a grounding electrode, the same grounding electrode shall be used.
Two or more grounding electrodes that are effectively bonded together shall be considered as a single grounding electrode system in this sense.
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That's more like what I remeber it to be.

You're the man Bob. 8)

I Haven't been around here much lately, how've ya been?
 
physis said:
I Haven't been around here much lately, how've ya been?
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I have been good, glad to see you stop by.

I am thinking on your other question but have not come up with anything.

"I don't have to give you a code reference, you have to prove to me that you can do it"
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Nice :roll:

Usually the rule is the inspector must provide a code reference.
 
Re: Two Meter Combos - One Ground Rod

physis said:
These are the same two stupid service panels on a two family dwelling. :?

Inspector today says I have two services therefore I have to have two separate ground rods, one for each service.

One question I have is:

Are two separate meter combos connected from one drop for a two family dwelling one, or two, services?

I can't tell from articles 100 and 230.

The other thing is, I don't know if anybody's heard this before, when I asked for a code reference that prevents me from using a single ground rod or both of these panels I got "I don't have to give you a code reference, you have to prove to me that you can do it", You can probably guess my response, although I was nice about it.

I tried to find something that supports his claim but I couldn't, that's why I asked for the reference.

Is there anything that says I need two rods?
Click to expand...

He is there to inspect your job for violations.If he can't cite a code number then how can he say you broke one ? Do yourself and other electricians a favor and go to his boss.One complaint will not get him fired but you might not be the first.
 
Since you have to use all the electrodes available at the site, it seems to me it would be a code violation to not have the services sharing all available electrodes.
 
Yes, any separate electrode systems will have to be bonded together, thereby becoming one GES. So It's ends up the same.

Any further thoughts on how many services it is Bob? This one's sort of bothering me.
 
230.2 Number of Services.
230.40 Number of Service-Entrance Conductor Sets.
230.71 Maximum Number of Disconnects
230.72 Grouping of Disconnects
Art 100 Service.
Art 100 Service Drop
Art 100 Service Point

250.64(E) Grounding Electrode Conductor Taps


If he is looking for you to show him, show him these sections.

A service is from the Utility. A service drop is one service, of which you can have up to 6 sets of service entrance Conductors (as per 230.40 Exs)
 
marinesgt0411 said:
OH YES 40 and they MUST be 6 feet apart and that 130 unit next door needs 130 ground rods 6 feet apart. get real Mr inspector.
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If these are separate services, why do ground rods have to be 6 feet apart?
 
Is this same inspector going to require the plumber to install two separate water lines to the building so you can complete the GES for each "service"? What about the Concrete encased electrode? Does this building share a common footing? Shall we install two separate footings? :roll:

As I see it from your original post you have one service and two sets of service entrance conductors feeding the two meter/disco combinations.

Perhaps you should try to educate your inspector a little bit..... in a nice way :)

Pierre gave you plenty of code ammo to use
 
by pete m.:

Is this same inspector going to require the plumber to install two separate water lines to the building
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That's funny, I asked him that too. :lol:

So Pierre, you're saying the drop is the service, not the equipment?

Maybe it's just me but the NEC is a mess on this.

Edit:

And although I thought of the six foot rod distance, I don't think it would be required here. Partly beacause the other rod's not required to begin with, but if it were, it's not to achieve 25 ohms.
 
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