Spliced Grounding Electrode Conductors

[dtontarski]

Mr. Hansen states in his "Electrical Inspections of Existing Dwellings" book: "that if a grounding electrode conductor is cut, it can be repaired by an irreversible compression connection or an exothermic weld."

Is this such an irreversible compression connection?

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[Chad Fabry]

No, but a crimped connection will suffice.

[dtontarski]

Thanks Chad.

Are you enjoying the spring like weather?

Geez its been above 20 for about a week now.

[Jack Davenport]

that looks like at least 3 conductors. Is it ?

Where do they each go ? This could be a grounding electrode conductor

with 2 others tapped to it . More info is needed

[Jeff Remas]

That split bolt if listed and labeled for bonding and grounding would be OK for use as a tap off of a GEC but not in the application that it was used if one of those wires is the actualy GEC.

[Ken Meyer]

Here's a photo of a crimp connector.

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[dtontarski]

The more info requested:

There are 4-conductors within this clamp.

Situation: The service panel was once mounted just above this in a weather-resistant wooden box on the exterior of the home. When they moved this panel inside, they needed to extend the 2-grounding electrode conductors (GECs) several feet to accommodate this move.

I plan to recommend that this be replaced with either a single crimped connector, a single irreversible compression connection, or with an exothermic weld - unless someone has a strong opinion that I should do other wise - such as both individual GECs should have its own proper splice.

Ken - thanks for photo.

[Jeff Remas]

1/4" by 2" busbar mounted at an accessible location.

[Jack Davenport]

1/4" by 2" busbar mounted at an accessible location.

If you were to install this busbar, it would have to be in the location of that splice. Otherwise you are back to the irreversible compression type connector ( crimp) or exothermic welding. Also any irreversible compression type connector used MUST be listed for grounding and bonding.

[Jim Port]

From the panel to the first rod needs to be continuos. A bus bar splice like was suggested would not meet the code.

[Jeff Remas]

From the panel to the first rod needs to be continuos. A bus bar splice like was suggested would not meet the code.

Don't agree

250.64©(2)

[Jeff Remas]

[Jim Port]

Jeff, I stand corrected.

Not much use of buss bars in resi so I had forgotten those exceptions. Does seem counter to using a regular GEC like a #6 to the rod where the connections need to be permanent, while this depends on mechanical security of bolts or set screws.

[Mr. Electric]

One small issue Jeff. The picture is correct, but you must note that the GEC is continuous. You can tap it (to run to another panel for instance) but it must be continuous, or can only be spliced as noted above. As noted the split bolt would be OK for a tap, but not to splice the GEC.

Great discussion guys.

[kurt]

Help me out a little.......

It has to be continuous, but it can be spliced......(?)......

If someone could lay it out in a single sentence wherein the descriptions don't seem to contradict each other, I'd appreciate the help.

[hausdok]

Kurt,

Look at the GEC in the graphic; it is continuous and passes through each of those devices but is not cut. All of the other things are spliced to the GEC.

ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike

[Jack Davenport]

In reality what Jeff posted about using a copper buss bar legal.

Thats why I posted that the copper buss bar must be located at the location of those split bolts.

Definition of a Grounding Electrode Conductor according to article 100 of the NEC reads:

Grounding Electrode Conductor - A conducotr used to connect the system grounded conductor or the equipment to a grounding electrode or to a point on the grounding electrode system

Article 250.50 Grounding electrode system tells us that all grounding electrode present at each building or structure shall be bonded together to form the grounding electrode system.

NO where in the NEC does it say that the grounding electrode conductor must be continuous to the PANEL.(It does say that it must be continuous in length, but does not say to where.)

Article 250.64 Grounding Electrode Conductor Installation

Article 250.64 © Part "C" of article 250.64 tells us that Grounding Electrode Conductor(s) shall be installed in one continuous length without a splice or joint except as provided in (1) and (2)

1- says you can use irreversible compression type connector listed for grounding and bonding or exothermic welding

2- says you can use sections of buss bar to form a grounding electrode conductor.

So Legally you can install a 1/4" x 2" copper buss bar and run all your grounding electrode conductors to it. For example lets say you have a structure that has ground rods, 10' of underground metal water pipe, and a concrete encased electrode ( uffer ground).

You can run a grounding electrode conductor from each of these to a copper buss bar then run one grounding electrode conductor to the panel. You have just created a grounding electrode system.

Those of you who have access to the NEC Handbook there is a nice explanation of this on page 222 of the 2008 edition. I will try and scan and post it later.

This is a common practice in industrial and commercial installations

[Jeff Remas]

Yes, what Jack said. I agree. I see this often with cell phone towers.

[Jeff Remas]