Understanding grounding

[flob]

Could some explain to me the difference of a ground ring system and an electrode ground system or could you have both systems at the same time?

Could an electrode grounding system have several rods driven into ground and then connected altogether in a ring and still call it an electrode system?

 

[iwire]

Ground rods, ground rings, metal underground water pipes, grounding plates, all of these are grounding electrodes.

Connected together they make the grounding electrode system.

 

[dereckbc]

As Bob (IWIRE) stated all the electrodes are bonded to for a Ground Electrode System Doesn't make one bit of difference what electrodes or combination therof are used. It can be as simple as 1-single rod or as complex as a ring with latterals.

 

[flob]

Grounding

Grounding

Thank you both for answering my question. I asked a question concerning the GEC needing to be buried or not. I am trying to understand why I have an engineer telling me I have a ground ring system which requires the ring to be buried 30". My intentions was installing an electrode grounding system. All of the electrodes (rods) are connected to each other forming a ring. Does this mean it is a ground ring system and needs to buried in the ground 30"?

 

[haskindm]

Look at 250.53(F) for the installation of a ground ring, and yes, it is required to be buried to a depth of "not less than 750 mm (30 in.)".

 

[bob]

My intention was installing an electrode grounding system. All of the electrodes (rods) are connected to each other forming a ring. Does this mean it is a ground ring system and needs to buried in the ground 30"?

The Soares Book on Grounding defines a grounding ring as " a copper
conductor, not smaller that #2 and at least 20 ft long. The conductor must
encircle the building or structure and be buried no less that 30 inches."
You say the electrodes are connected together in a circle. Does it encircle the building? If the specs do not call for a "ring", you could install the gnd rods laterally away from the building and connect them together.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

There is no code requirement to provide a ground ring. If the cable connecting the electrodes is not 30" deep, then it is a grounding electrode conductor and not a ground ring.
Don

 

[flob]

Grounding

Grounding

The conductor connecting the electrodes is only covered with 10" of dirt to protect it and keep someone from tripping. There is no building, but a concrete pad for a natural gas metering station.:smile:

 

[bob]

The conductor connecting the electrodes is only covered with 10" of dirt to protect it and keep someone from tripping. There is no building, but a concrete pad for a natural gas metering station.:smile:

"The Soares Book on Grounding defines a grounding ring as " a copper
conductor, not smaller that #2 and at least 20 ft long. The conductor must
encircle the building or structure and be buried no less that 30 inches."

That does not appear to meet the requirements for a gnd ring.