National Electrical Code

Code Q&A

Nov. 18, 2005

Electricians in our area ground the metal conduit that runs up a utility pole to a local ground rod. Is this a Code compliant installation?

Mike Holt

Q. Electricians in our area ground the metal conduit that runs up a utility pole to a local ground rod. Is this a Code compliant installation?

A. The NEC requires all metal raceways that contain service conductors to be grounded [250.80]. However, grounding a metal raceway to a ground rod serves no purpose in removing or reducing dangerous voltage on metal parts from a ground fault.

What is required is that all metal raceways and enclosures containing service conductors be bonded to an effective ground-fault current path in accordance with 250.4(A)(5). This can be accomplished by the installation of an equipment bonding jumper, of any length, from the top of the metal pipe to the utility secondary neutral terminal in accordance with 250.102(E).

About the Author

Mike Holt

Mike Holt is the owner of Mike Holt Enterprises (www.MikeHolt.com), one of the largest electrical publishers in the United States. He earned a master's degree in the Business Administration Program (MBA) from the University of Miami. He earned his reputation as a National Electrical Code (NEC) expert by working his way up through the electrical trade. Formally a construction editor for two different trade publications, Mike started his career as an apprentice electrician and eventually became a master electrician, an electrical inspector, a contractor, and an educator. Mike has taught more than 1,000 classes on 30 different electrical-related subjects — ranging from alarm installations to exam preparation and voltage drop calculations. He continues to produce seminars, videos, books, and online training for the trade as well as contribute monthly Code content to EC&M magazine.