In the USA electrical utilities are often not subject to NEC instead they have their own code and it often varies region to region, state to state. I've noticed recently that in the topics that reference the NEC there's often no mention that many municipalities/counties/states adopt and enforce their own electrical code. While often based upon the NEC many of these 'local' codes contain variances that might surprise so I'd like to remind everyone (in the USA) that while the NEC is a good starting point when approaching a code issue it may not apply to them. Phil's issue with a service entrance ground is a good example. His electrical utility may be well within their right to use the buried service drop raceway as the grounding electrode for his service. I'd suggest contacting the utility company for clarification on this. 73, Gary N6LRV
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Clyde Washburn Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 9:07 AM To: 'Phil Townsend'; 'Elecraft Reflector' Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Grounds... I know,I know... its a Dead issue BUT... (no Pun) According to the NEC a buried pipe with corrosion protection over 8ft long is an acceptable grounding electrode, with a listed hierarchy of preference for different types of pipes. Metallic water pipes are 1st on the list. Normally other pipes are used only when the water pipe is non-metallic. _____________________ Clyde Washburn, K2UE 82 Lasalle Pkwy Victor, NY 14564-9610 585-317-7006 [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Phil Townsend Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 11:44 AM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] Grounds... I know, I know... its a Dead issue BUT... (no Pun) I really hate to bring it up again... But hear me out: My A/C service entrance does not have a ground rod. My house was built about 25 years ago.' I pulled the service front panel and found the following: All the grounds and neutrals are bonded to the metal chassis as they are supposed to be. But there is no wire for a connection to a ground ROD! It looks like they used a solid metal pipe that houses the big A/C wire inside of this pipe. This pipe IS connected to the service entrance by some metal gland nuts. The 2 1/2" pipe goes outside of the house and is buried underground. It goes off to a transformer that is about 100 yards away. So my question: IS this pipe MY Ground rod? Don't follow My Tweets http://twitter.com/PhilTownsend ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
