ground loops

crecore

Can someone explain "ground loops and their proper use and placement?" ...and how they apply to sub panels, and outbuildings in the following example:

A 200a main breaker panel in house, feeds a 150a sub main lug panel in house via 4 conductor from a double 100 (bus oversized). A double pole 100 in that sub main lug then feeds to an outbuilding via 4 conductor. I read that NEC says the outbuilding should also have its own grounding rod but local electricians all say it should not and there should be a ground loop back at the house.

TIA

Speedy Petey

If all the electricians you know are saying an out-building with a sub-panel does not require a ground rod you need to find new electricians.

A detached structure most certainly DOES require some form of grounding electrode. This is regardless if it is fed by a 3-wire or 4-wire feeder.
I think what the guys you know are saying is that you should use a 4-wire feeder which has a grounding conductor run with the feeder conductors. This is not a ground loop though.
Most times a 4-wire feeder is required by code.

A ground loop is something you DO NOT want. The point is that if there is a compromise on the neutral conductor the ground does not carry any load current.

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