What's Wrong Here?

What’s Wrong Here? Hint: This Installer Should Be Grounded.

Jan. 27, 2022

Think you know how this installation violates the NEC?

Hint: This installer should be grounded.

Ground conductors running through conduit sitting on the ground

The green wire in this photo is a grounding electrode conductor (GEC) for the power service on a building. It connects to ground rods driven into the earth. Section 250.64(B) requires GECs 6 AWG and larger to be protected by rigid metal conduit (RMC), intermediate metal conduit (IMC), Schedule 80 PVC conduit, Type XW reinforced thermosetting resin conduit (RTRC-XW), EMT, or cable armor. Some sections of this cable are not protected at all and could easily be damaged by a person stepping on it or during snow removal activities such as shoveling or scraping. The galvanized steel RMC on the left is not bonded at each end to the GEC installed inside of it to create an electrically parallel path as required by Sec. 250.64(F)(1). The RMC on the right seems as if it was bonded correctly, however.

About the Author

Russ LeBlanc | Owner

Russ started in the electrical trade as an apprentice in 1985. He worked his way up to become a Journeyman Electrician and then eventually became a Master Electrician and Licensed Construction Supervisor. In 1999 Russ become an Electrical Instructor for The Peterson School of Engineering in Massachusetts where he developed his passion for teaching, and quickly became Department Head of Electrical Instruction. Russ has taught thousands of apprentices, electricians, engineers, inspectors, and other electrical professionals during his career as an instructor. He continues to provide electrical professionals with Electrical Code seminars, Arc-Flash Awareness training seminars and educational material through his LeBlanc Consulting Services in North Reading, MA whose specialty is educating electricians. He has been an active member of the NFPA Electrical Section and has authored hundreds of National Electrical Code proposals and comments which have become Code rules to improve the safety for the electrical industry. Russ is also an IAEI certified Electrical Inspector.

Please visit www.russleblanc.net for more information.