Ground Rods At Pnl And Mtr

seattle_sparky

I had an inspector tell me I needed a ground rod driven at the meter and at the panel in a house i'm remoding and changing the service. The panel is over 15 feet from the meter, but i didn't think that would matter. I would think running a ground wire from either station and using one ground point would prevent a grounding redundancy and prevent a possible voltage gradient situation in the event of a short or ground fault. I may be just over thinking ( or under thinking) this one. thanks.

Speedy Petey

You're a bit vague. Is the meter on the house? It sounds like no.
Is there an outside disconnect? It sounds like no.

If this is a pedestal meter it is typical to require a ground rod (or two) at the pedestal and another at the house. This is what my POCO requires.

If the meter is on the house a disconnect would typically be required closer to the point of entry.

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seattle_sparky

we are dropping into the meter and then yes, into a disconnect and the meter is attached to the side of the house.

ATS

Strange. The way I would do this would be to bond at the disconnect and install the ground rods there. Our utility prohibits a grounding electrode connection in the meter socket. Then run SER 4 conductor cable from the disconnect to the panel. The ground bars and neutral bars would be isolated in the panel . No ground rods would be installed here. This would be different if the panel housed the main disconnecting means, if it did, I would bond there and terminate the GEC at the panel. So he's telling you that within the same building, 2 sets of rods need to be driven? Never heard of that.

Speedy Petey

Exactly what ATS said.
Same structure, outside disconnect, NO rod at the panel, even if it is a 200 amp panel.
Ground rods AND water bond to the main disconnect.

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seattle_sparky

thanks for the info guys. Thats pretty much the way I was thinking. I don't know what the hell the 2 location ground rod thing was about. I called the electrical inspector supervisor and he said the same thing. thanks again.

ATS

He said what we said, or what the original inspector said?

seattle_sparky

he said what you guys said and what i was thinkin the whole time. Maybe i'll try and apply for that inspectors job! I got a good GFCI ques for you guys i'm typing up.

steveprichard

Here in Odessa, Tx., we have to ground the main AND water line AND natural gas line.

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Steve

"Keep thee thy airspeed, lest the earth rise up and smite thee!"