pbunge
Member
- Location
- California
An existing subpanel, probably over 40 yrs old, has a local ground #8 ground wire bonded to a copper water pipe and the neutral and grounds share the same buss bar. No ground wire in the #2-3 romex back to the service, about 100' away. Service has one 70 amp breaker dedicated to this condo. I believe the bank of about 10 service panels for the condo complex is grounded. No easy or esthetic way to run a ground to the service.
When replacing the subpanel is it permissible to install a ground rod under the subpanel, and bond a #6 copper wire to the ground rod and to a nearby 3/4" copper cold water pipe that enters the ground? Access openings to bonding clamps would be provided and the neutral buss would be isolated from the ground buss bar.
I have not been able to find code to support this and the bulding official says this is not acceptable but cannot give a reason. He says grounding is for lighting, a moot point for this area in So. California. I thought grounding was for safety, a path for current to flow should a short to a device occur, thus preventing the user of a device from being shocked.
Thank you. Should you want to reach me by phone:
(949) 433-8891.
Peter Bunge
When replacing the subpanel is it permissible to install a ground rod under the subpanel, and bond a #6 copper wire to the ground rod and to a nearby 3/4" copper cold water pipe that enters the ground? Access openings to bonding clamps would be provided and the neutral buss would be isolated from the ground buss bar.
I have not been able to find code to support this and the bulding official says this is not acceptable but cannot give a reason. He says grounding is for lighting, a moot point for this area in So. California. I thought grounding was for safety, a path for current to flow should a short to a device occur, thus preventing the user of a device from being shocked.
Thank you. Should you want to reach me by phone:
(949) 433-8891.
Peter Bunge