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Have You Been

Grounded Lately
Thurs, Oct. 26, 2017 9:15-10:15
Phil Simmons
Author, Electrical Grounding and Bonding
Author
Cengage Learning

Phil Simmons
Have You Been
Grounded Lately
2017 NEC® Changes Relative to
Grounding and Bonding
250.24(C)(1) Sizing for Single
Raceway or Cable (1 of 4)
• Grounded system conductor (often a neutral) is
required to be not smaller than the conductor
specified in Table 250.102(C)(1)
• Not required to be larger than the largest
ungrounded service-entrance conductor
• Rule contemplates all service conductors are in a
single conduit, wireway or cable
250.24(C)(1) Sizing for Single
Raceway or Cable (2 of 4)
• Here’s how:
─ Obtain size of service-entrance conductors
─ Use the size of these conductors in Table
250.102(C)(1) to determine the minimum size of the
grounded system conductor
─ Compare to the size of grounded conductor required
from load calculation in 220.61
─ Follow instructions from design engineer
─ Install the largest of these conductors
250.24(C)(1) Sizing for Single
Raceway or Cable (3 of 4)
• For parallel sets of conductors installed in
compliance with 310.10(H):
─ If in one raceway such as a wireway or cable,
determine the area of the largest set of conductors in
parallel and consider as one conductor
─ Follow Table 250.102(C)(1) for the minimum size of
neutral conductor
─ If the area of an ungrounded set of conductors is larger
than Table 250.102(C)(1), apply the 12.5% rule
250.24(C)(1) Sizing for Single
Raceway or Cable (4 of 4)

FIGURE 2-28 Routing and sizing of grounded conductor for


individual service disconnects, 250.24(C)(1).
Here’s How (Grounded
Service Conductor) (1 of 3)
• 350 kcmil aluminum service lateral conductors in
each conduit or cable
─ Table 250.102(C)(1) = 2 AWG copper or 1/0 aluminum
─ Compare to size required by load calculation
─ Minimum 1/0 AWG for parallel installations
─ Install largest required conductor
Here’s How (Grounded
Service Conductor) (2 of 3)
• 3/0 AWG copper conductors to 200 ampere
service disconnect
─ Table 250.102(C)(1) requires 4 AWG copper or 2 AWG
aluminum grounded conductor
─ Larger conductor may be required by load calculation
Here’s How (Grounded
Service Conductor) (3 of 3)
• 500 kcmil copper conductors to 400 ampere
service disconnect
─ Table 250.102(C)(1) requires 1/0 AWG copper or 3/0
AWG aluminum grounded conductor
─ Larger conductor may be required if load calculation
exceeds 380 amperes
250.30(A)(4) Grounding
Electrode
• Grounding electrode
system for building or
structure required to be
used for separately
derived system
• Comply with 250.30(C)
if the separately
derived system is
located outdoors
FIGURE 2-52 Grounding electrodes for
separately derived systems, 250.30(A)(4).
250.30(A)(4) Grounding
Electrode
• Previously we were permitted to install an
individual grounding electrode for a separately
derived system.
• If that is done, the grounding electrodes at the
same building or structure are required to be
bonded together 250.50.
• Building steel or qualified metal water pipe are
permitted as the grounding electrode conductor.
250.30(A)(4) GEC, Single
Separately Derived System
• Connect grounded
conductor of separately
derived system to
grounding electrode or
grounding electrode
conductor
• Connect at same point
where system bonding
jumper is connected

FIGURE 2-53 Grounding electrode conductor, single separately derived system, 250.30(A)(5).
Here’s How (Single Separately
Derived System)
• Assume 600-ampere panelboard
─ Two 350 kcmil THWN conductors connected in parallel
─ 310 amperes x 2 = 620 amperes
─ 350 kcmil x 2 = 700 kcmil
─ Table 250.66 requires 2/0 AWG copper grounding
electrode conductor
Common GEC
• Common grounding
electrode and tap
conductors permitted
• Connect taps at same
point system bonding
jumper is connected
• This subsection acts as an
exception to 250.30(A)(5)
FIGURE 2-55 Grounding electrode conductor (GEC),
multiple separately derived systems, 250.30(A)(6).
250.52(A)(2) Metal In-Ground
Support Structure
• Methods of making an earth connection of the
metal frame of the building or structure are
described
• Requires direct contact with the earth, concrete
encasement or by connection to concrete
encased grounding electrode
• Once a recognized grounding electrode, it can be
used to bond other electrodes
Metal In-
ground
Support
Structure

FIGURE 3-3 Metal in-ground support structure grounding electrode, 250.52(A)(2).


FIGURE 3-1 Grounding electrode system, 250.50.
250.52(B) Electrodes Not
Permitted for Grounding
• Metal underground gas
piping systems [Interior
piping systems required
to be bonded by
250.104(B)]
• Aluminum electrodes
• The structures and
structural reinforcing steel
described in 680.26(B)(1)
and (2) FIGURE 3-9 Electrodes not permitted for
grounding, 250.52(B).
680.26(B)(1) and (B)(2)
• (B)(1) Conductive Pool Shells
─ Structural Reinforcing Steel
─ Copper Conductor Grid
• (B)(2) Perimeter Surfaces
─ Structural Reinforcing Steel
─ Alternate Means
• Not permitted as grounding electrode
• These conductive elements are almost always
connected to the electrical system by the
equipment grounding conductor
250.64(B) Securing and Protection
Against Physical Damage (1 of 2)
• If exposed, grounding electrode conductor or
enclosure must be securely fastened
• Permitted to be installed on or through framing
members
1) 6 AWG or larger not exposed to physical
damage is permitted to be run along the
surface of a building without metal covering or
protection
2) 6 AWG or larger conductor that is exposed to
physical damage must be protected by RMC,
IMC, PVC, RTRC-XW, EMT or cable armor
250.64(B) Securing and Protection
Against Physical Damage (2 of 2)
3) Grounding electrode conductors smaller than 6
AWG must be protected by:
─ Rigid metal conduit (RMC)
─ Intermediate metal conduit (IMC)
─ Rigid nonmetallic conduit (PVC)
─ RTRC-XW
─ EMT
─ Cable armor
4) Not required to comply with the burial depths of
300.5 but must be protected if subject to
damage
250.64(E) Raceways and Enclosures
for Grounding Electrode Conductors
─ General
• Ferrous metal enclosures for grounding electrode conductors
are required to be electrically continuous from point of
attachment to cabinets or equipment to the grounding electrode
to create a parallel path and must be securely fastened to the
ground clamp or fitting
─ (2) Methods
• Bonding must be in compliance with 250.92(B) and ensured by
one of the methods in 250.92(B)(2) through (B)(4)
250.64(E) Bonding
Requirements
• (3) Size
─ The bonding jumper for a
grounding electrode
conductor raceway or
cable armor is required to
be the same size as, or
larger than, the enclosed
grounding electrode
conductor
FIGURE 3-38 Bonding of ferrous enclosures for
grounding electrode conductors, 250.64(E).
250.64(E) Bonding Requirements
(2 of 2)
─ (4) Wiring Methods
• If a raceway is used as protection for a grounding electrode
conductor, the installation must comply with the requirements of
the appropriate raceway article
250.66(A) Connections to Rod,
Pipe, or Plate Electrode(s)
A GEC that connects
directly to a single or
multiple rod, pipe, or plate
electrode(s) in 250.52(A)(5)
or (A)(7), and does not
extend to a grounding
electrode requiring a larger
size conductor is not
required to be larger than 6
AWG

FIGURE 3-41 Connections to rod, pipe, or plate grounding electrodes, 250.66(A).


250.66(B) Connections to
Concrete-Encased Electrodes
A GEC that connects
directly to a single or
multiple concrete-
encased grounding
electrode(s) in
250.52(A)(3), and does
not extend to a grounding
electrode requiring a
larger size conductor is
not required to be larger
than a 4 AWG copper wire FIGURE 3-42 Grounding electrode conductor
connections to concrete-encased electrodes,
250.66(B).
250.66(C) Connections to
Ground Rings
A GEC that connects
directly to a ground ring
grounding electrode
described in 250.52(A)(4),
and does not extend to a
grounding electrode
requiring a larger size
conductor is not required to
be larger than the ground
ring conductor

FIGURE 3-43 Grounding electrode conductor connections to ground ring electrodes, 250.66(C).
250.68(C)(1) Grounding
Electrode Connections
• Interior metal water piping that is electrically
continuous with a metal underground water pipe
electrode and is located not more than 5 ft (1.52
m) from the point of entrance to the building shall
be permitted to extend the connection to an
electrode(s).
• Interior metal water piping located more than 5 ft
(1.52 m) from the point of entrance to the building
shall not be used as a conductor to interconnect
electrodes of the grounding electrode system.
250.68(C)(1) Exception
• Exception: In industrial, commercial, and institutional
buildings or structures, if conditions of maintenance and
supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the
installation, interior metal water piping located more than
5 ft. (1.52 m) from the point of entrance to the building
shall be permitted as a bonding conductor to interconnect
electrodes that are part of the grounding electrode
system, or as a grounding electrode conductor, if the
entire length, other than short sections passing
perpendicularly through walls, floors, or ceilings, of the
interior metal water pipe that is being used for the
conductor is exposed.
FIGURE 3-46 Water pipe grounding electrode exception, 250.68(C)(1), Exception.
250.68(C)(2) Metal Structural
Frame
• The metal structural frame of a building is permitted to be used
as a conductor to interconnect electrodes that are part of the
grounding electrode system, or as a grounding electrode
conductor
• Hold-down bolts securing the structural steel column that are
connected to a concrete-encased electrode that complies with
250.52(A)(3) and is located in the support footing or foundation
shall be permitted to connect the metal structural frame of a
building or structure to the concrete encased grounding
electrode.
• The hold-down bolts shall be connected to the concrete-
encased electrode by welding, exothermic welding, the usual
steel tie wires, or other approved means.
FIGURE 3-47 Metal frame of a building is permitted as a bonding means or a grounding
electrode conductor if grounded properly but is not a grounding electrode.
Connection to Rebar-Type
Grounding Electrodes 250.68(C)(3)
(3) A rebar-type concrete-encased electrode
installed in accordance with 250.52(A)(3) with
an additional rebar section extended from its
location within the concrete to an accessible
location that is not subject to corrosion shall be
permitted for connection of grounding electrode
conductors and bonding jumpers. The rebar
extension shall not be exposed to contact with
the earth without corrosion protection.
250.68(C)(3)
250.80 Service Raceways and
Enclosures, Exception
Metal components in a run
of PVC conduit that are
isolated from contact by a
minimum cover of 18 in. are
not required to be connected
to the grounded system
conductor, supply side
bonding jumper, or
grounding electrode
conductor
FIGURE 4-2 Grounding or bonding not
required for isolated metal components,
250.80 Exception.
250.94 Bonding for
Communication Systems
• Communication system bonding is required to be
connected in accordance with (A) or (B).
250.94(A) The Intersystem Bonding
Termination Device (1 of 4)
• An intersystem bonding termination (IBT) for
connecting intersystem bonding conductors is
required to be provided external to enclosures at
the service equipment or metering equipment
enclosure and at the disconnecting means for any
additional buildings or structures.
• If an IBT is used, it is required to comply with the
following (next slides):
250.94(A) The Intersystem Bonding
Termination Device (2 of 4)
1. Be accessible for connection and inspection
2. Consist of a set of terminals with the capacity for
connection of not less than three intersystem
bonding conductors
3. Not interfere with opening the enclosure for a
service, building or structure disconnecting
means, or metering equipment
250.94(A) The Intersystem Bonding
Termination Device (3 of 4)
4. At the service equipment, be securely mounted
and electrically connected to an enclosure for
the service equipment, to the meter enclosure,
or to an exposed nonflexible metallic service
raceway, or be mounted at one of these
enclosures and be connected to the enclosure
or to the grounding electrode conductor with a
minimum 6 AWG copper conductor
250.94(A) The Intersystem Bonding
Termination Device (4 of 4)
5. At the disconnecting means for a building or
structure, be securely mounted and electrically
connected to the metallic enclosure for the
building or structure disconnecting means, or be
mounted at the disconnecting means and be
connected to the metallic enclosure or to the
grounding electrode conductor with a minimum
6 AWG copper conductor
6. The terminals shall be listed as grounding and
bonding equipment (UL-467)
FIGURE 5-12 Intersystem bonding for communication systems, 250.94.
250.94(A) Exception: Bonding for
Existing Buildings or Structures (1 of 2)
• Exception: In existing buildings or structures, an
accessible means external to enclosures for
connecting intersystem bonding and grounding
electrode conductors shall be permitted at the
service equipment and at the disconnecting
means for any additional buildings or structures
by at least one of the following means
250.94(A) Exception: Bonding for
Existing Buildings or Structures (2 of 2)
1. Exposed nonflexible metallic raceways
2. An exposed grounding electrode conductor
3. Approved means for the external connection of
a copper or other corrosion-resistant bonding or
grounding electrode conductor to the grounded
raceway or equipment
250.94(B) Other Means
(B) Other Means. Connections to an aluminum or copper
busbar not less than ¼ in. thick × 2 in. wide (6 mm thick ×
50 mm wide) and of sufficient length to accommodate at
least three terminations for communication systems in
addition to other connections. The busbar shall be securely
fastened and shall be installed in an accessible location.
Connections shall be made by a listed connector. If
aluminum busbars are used, the installation shall also
comply with 250.64(A).
Exception to (A) and (B): Means for connecting intersystem
bonding conductors are not required where
communications systems are not likely to be used.
250.94(B) Other Means
250.122(F) Conductors in
Parallel
For circuits of parallel conductors as permitted in
310.10(H), equipment grounding conductors are
required to be installed in accordance with (1) or
(2)
250.122(F)(1)(a) Conductors in Parallel in
Single Raceway or Cable Tray
(a) Single Raceway or Cable Tray. If conductors are
installed in parallel in the same raceway or cable tray, a
single wire-type conductor shall be permitted as the
equipment grounding conductor. The wire-type equipment
grounding conductor shall be sized in accordance with
250.122, based on the overcurrent protective device for the
feeder or branch circuit. Wire-type equipment grounding
conductors installed in cable trays shall meet the minimum
requirements of 392.10(B)(1)(c).
Metal raceways or auxiliary gutters in accordance with
250.118 or cable trays complying with 392.60(B) shall be
permitted as the equipment grounding conductor.
250.122(F)(1)(a) Conductors in
Parallel (in single raceway)

FIGURE 6-27 Sizing equipment grounding conductor for a circuit with


parallel conductors in a single raceway, 250.122(F)(1)(a).
250.122(F)(1)(b) Conductors in Parallel in
Multiple Raceways
• (b) Multiple Raceways. If conductors are
installed in parallel in multiple raceways, wire-
type equipment grounding conductors, where
used, shall be installed in parallel in each
raceway. The equipment grounding conductor
installed in each raceway shall be sized in
compliance with 250.122 based on the
overcurrent protective device for the feeder or
branch circuit. Metal raceways or auxiliary gutters
in accordance with 250.118 or cable trays
complying with 392.60(B) shall be permitted as
the equipment grounding conductor.
250.122(F)(1)(b) Conductors in
Parallel in Multiple Raceways

FIGURE 6-28 Sizing equipment grounding conductor for a circuit with


parallel conductors in multiple raceways, 250.122(F)(1)(b).
250.122(F)(2)(a) Conductors in
Parallel, Multiconductor Cables
(a) If multiconductor cables are installed in parallel,
the equipment grounding conductor(s) in each
cable shall be connected in parallel.

FIGURE 6-29 General requirement for connecting equipment grounding conductors for
multiconductor cables that have circuit conductors that are connected in parallel.
250.122(F)(2)(a).
250.122(F)(2)(b) Conductors in
Parallel, Multiconductor Cables
(b) If multiconductor cables are installed in parallel
in the same raceway, auxiliary gutter, or cable tray,
a single equipment grounding conductor that is
sized in accordance with 250.122 shall be
permitted in combination with the equipment
grounding conductors provided within the
multiconductor cables and shall all be connected
together.
250.122(F)(2)(b) Conductors in Parallel,
Multiconductor Cables

FIGURE 6-30 Provision for external equipment grounding conductor that supplements “standard” size
equipment grounding conductor in multiconductor cables that are connected in parallel and installed
in a raceway, auxiliary gutter, or cable tray. 250.122(F)(2)(b).
250.122(F)(2)(b) Conductors in Parallel,
Multiconductor Cables
Fault-current will be shared by all equipment
grounding conductor paths in inverse proportion to
the impedance of the individual path.

FIGURE 6-31 Sizing equipment grounding conductor for four 200-ampere cables that have
conductors connected in parallel. 250.122(F)(2)(b).
250.122(F)(2)(d) Equipment Grounding
Conductor in Multiconductor Cables
Except as provided in
250.122(F)(2)(b) for
raceway or cable tray
installations, the
equipment grounding
conductor in each
multiconductor cable shall
be sized in accordance
with 250.122 based on
the overcurrent protective
device for the feeder or
branch circuit.
Cengage
October 2017
Wiring Residential Series
Written by Phil Simmons & Ray C. Mullin

Includes Date 2016


Residential
Construction Code
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