wire size for grounding, 18AWG???

[emiller233]

We have an enclosure built out of aluminum and lexan windows. The customer wants some ground wires on it. i think for static purposes??? It ships to Canada if that is relevant?

Is 18 AWG wires acceptable to ground the enclosure? there will be a ground bar mounted up on top of the enclosure, where the ground wire from each wall will be brought back, to for the customer to tie into

 

[MasterTheNEC]

Greetings emiller233,

Going on the consideration that it is just something that the customer wants then I see nothing within the NEC that would demand a specific size bonding jumper. Nothing was expressed about circuits being run to this item so I assume it is simply tieing all the metal parts together for some apparent reason that the customer is not sharing with you, or us for that matter. So considering no information about any "electrical" aspect of the item I would say you can use whatever size you want.

Now, all our sizing of bonding jumpers in the NEC as based on conductors supplying electrical equipment or where a EGC is demanded based on the OCPD (other than in pool applications of course) so with no electrical information provided I would say size as you wish or get more details from the customer.

 

[LarryFine]

Will there be any electrical power in or on the assembly? If so, it should be sized appropriately for the circuit. If not, I don't believe there are any rules. #18 is certainly large enough to discharge static. The main concern may be physical strength to assure durability over time.

 

[emiller233]

this wont be tied into anything electrically as far as i know. I was in their plant before and i know this company puts enclosures around things to keep their maintenance workers hands off of things, and i assume that's what this is as well since there's a lock on the door of the enclosure?
They are a very proprietary company and tell us only the bare minimum info for each project...

We got the order for the enclosure which is to be built to a specific size. with the note about running grounding wires everywhere (1 to each wall/panel)

 

[kwired]

Will there be any electrical power in or on the assembly? If so, it should be sized appropriately for the circuit. If not, I don't believe there are any rules. #18 is certainly large enough to discharge static. The main concern may be physical strength to assure durability over time.

I agree, it is large enough for static discharge, physical strength could be questionable depending on conditions it is subjected to.

 

[emiller233]

Thanks for the help. I told them 12awg preferred