Two physical grounds??


Due to construction issues the only way to ground my line conditioner is by instaling a dedicated ground rod for it (i.e. the house outlets are of type that accept a 2 prong plug). This dedicated ground rod for the line conditioner will be about 16 feet away from the ground rod for the electrical wiring for my house. By doing this would I get into trouble regarding a "ground loop".
tiofelon

Showing 4 responses by jea48

Gs5556,

Metal boxes were used with old 2 wire NM sheathed cable. The metallic box is floating..... Even in the case of old BX the conductivity continuity of the armor/connectors would be poor at best.
Jim
Try running a #14 awg to the outlet that your power conditioner is using, to a cold water pipe and clamp off to that.
07-07-11: Tjtrout20
Tjtrout20,

No longer an NEC approved method. Not since 1996 I believe. Too many plumbers were getting shocked or electrocuted.
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This dedicated ground rod for the line conditioner will be about 16 feet away from the ground rod for the electrical wiring for my house.
07-07-11: Tiofelon

Tiofelon,

The dedicated ground rod is a bad idea as others have pointed out. Will not meet NEC code either.....

What NEC will allow for old 2 wire ungrounded receptacle/ branch circuit is to install a new equipment ground wire and connect it to the existing main electrical grounding system, (Grounding Electrode System), of the house.

Look at running a ground wire along the exterior of the house and connect it to the ground wire that comes from the house to the existing ground rod. Use an approved wire connector such as a split bolt. DO NOT cut the main ground wire that runs to the existing ground rod......

You might also be able to run the new ground wire back into the house and connect it to the ground bar you spoke of in a later post.

Wire must be protected from physical damage. Support often.
If it were me I would use a solid #10 awg copper wire.

It would really be best to hire a licensed electrician to do the job......

Method for grounding a non grounded receptacle/branch circuit.
NEC 2008 250.130 (C)

Local code (AHJ) has the final say.
Tjtrout20,

In Gs5556 defense he may live in an area were all branch circuits must be installed in conduit. I believe Chicago as well as New York City being two that come to mind. He may have just had a brain fart and forgot not everywhere in the US require branch circuits must be installed in metallic conduit.
Jim
Tjtrout20,

The cold water pipe is part of the Grounding Electrode System. The key word is System, which includes the cold water pipe. Check 250.50 for description of GES.
You need to go back to the book.... Only the first 5 feet from point of entrance. NEC 2008 250.52 (A) (1). "Exception" does not apply here.

I have been a little lazy and have not picked up a copy of the New 2011 NEC code......

As far as the correct size of the equipment grounding conductor for 15amp circuits #14awg copper or 20amp circuits #12awg as per 250.122 2011 NEC but nothing wrong with #10 also.
True.... I am concerned with protection from physical damage.... #10 will withstand more physical abuse than #14 or even #12. This safety equipment grounding conductor is going to be installed on the exterior of the house. More than likely by the home owner....

Code is bare minimum safety standards as you know.
Jim