Water line ground conductor

[ammklq143]

Is there anything in the NEC that states the water line ground conductor from the electrical panel has to be insulated? I had one inspector that requires it and another one in the neighboring state that doesn't. Not that it's a big deal but I was just curious why one would say it does and another says it doesn't. Both are on residential jobs.

 

[petersonra]

presumably you are referring to the grounding electrode conductor.

250.62 Grounding Electrode Conductor Material. The
grounding electrode conductor shall be of copper, aluminum,
or copper-clad aluminum. The material selected shall
be resistant to any corrosive condition existing at the installation
or shall be protected against corrosion. The conductor
shall be solid or stranded, insulated, covered, or bare.

so arguably, the inspector might be claiming some kind of corrosion issue is in play to require insulated wire.

By the way. Does the code require anywhere that the GEC be of the wire type? I seem to recall there is a provision somewhere that a copper bar can be part of the GEC.

 

[kwired]

Did you ask inspector why they make bare conductors if we can't use them anywhere?

 

[infinity]

It can be bare. The inspector is incorrect.

 

[RumRunner]

Is there anything in the NEC that states the water line ground conductor from the electrical panel has to be insulated? I had one inspector that requires it and another one in the neighboring state that doesn't. Not that it's a big deal but I was just curious why one would say it does and another says it doesn't. Both are on residential jobs.

If the inspector that requires insulation covers the area (AHJ) ..where the project is carried out, then just take his word for it . Municipal Codes vary from one area to another.

It would be disingenuous to antagonize someone that could probably affect your bottom line.

 

[kwired]

If the inspector that requires insulation covers the area (AHJ) ..where the project is carried out, then just take his word for it . Municipal Codes vary from one area to another.

It would be disingenuous to antagonize someone that could probably affect your bottom line.

If I think the inspector is wrong I am going to challenge them, they are human and do make mistakes. How you go about challenging them may have some effect on them influencing your bottom line though, at least be civil about it, until you discover the person is indeed self righteous.

 

[infinity]

If the inspector that requires insulation covers the area (AHJ) ..where the project is carried out, then just take his word for it . Municipal Codes vary from one area to another.

It would be disingenuous to antagonize someone that could probably affect your bottom line.

Unless there is a local code if someone is telling me to do something then it better be in the book (NEC). You're not antagonizing someone if they're wrong.

 

[ActionDave]

If the inspector that requires insulation covers the area (AHJ) ..where the project is carried out, then just take his word for it . Municipal Codes vary from one area to another.

It would be disingenuous to antagonize someone that could probably affect your bottom line.

I don't know what you define as disingenuous. I can't see how discussing a code interpretation with an inspector is in any way disingenuous. What would be disingenuous is not being honest with an inspector about one's own interpretation being different than his.

 

[JFletcher]

If the inspector that requires insulation covers the area (AHJ) ..where the project is carried out, then just take his word for it . Municipal Codes vary from one area to another.

It would be disingenuous to antagonize someone that could probably affect your bottom line.

I think you word you were looking for was "inadvisable". And yes, it is inadvisable to antagonize the inspector, however asking the inspector a question, discussing the topic, and polite disagreement are fine. Sometimes you have to go over someone's head to get an issue resolved. Only very rarely should one have to eat reworking a compliant install to appease the inspector.

If a bare GEC was already installed and he fails it stating it need be insulated, redoing the work is also affecting your bottom line. and if the 'fix' were going to cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, and I believe what I've already installed is code compliant, I would challenge the inspector's decision.

Many states do not have local amendments; the rules are state-wide.

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I suppose the inspector might reject an aluminum/mandate a copper GEC in an environment near sea water, but in this case I dont see where insulated copper is any better than bare; the terminations aren't insulated and subject to the same conditions either way.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Is there anything in the NEC that states the water line ground conductor from the electrical panel has to be insulated? I had one inspector that requires it and another one in the neighboring state that doesn't. Not that it's a big deal but I was just curious why one would say it does and another says it doesn't. Both are on residential jobs.

It is always better to learn the proper terminology. this conductor is called the grounding electrode conductor.