grounding rod won't go in

**Termite** · 10-22-2008, 10:47 AM

#6AWG green insulated stranded copper will work, 40' of length isn't an issue. Not sure of your panel setup, but if it is a main disconnect you'll land the grounding electrode conductor on the ground/neutral bar. If it is a subpanel your ground shouldn't be running to it.

Personally, I'd strip a 1" section of insulation from the wire where it lands on the first rod, feed it through the clamp, and run it continuously on to the other rod. I don't think there's an issue with landing both #6's under the burial rated clamp though.

Be sure those rods are at least 6' apart.

jamiedolan · 10-22-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekctermite

#6AWG green insulated stranded copper will work, 40' of length isn't an issue. Not sure of your panel setup, but if it is a main disconnect you'll land the grounding electrode conductor on the ground/neutral bar. If it is a subpanel your ground shouldn't be running to it.

Personally, I'd strip a 1" section of insulation from the wire where it lands on the first rod, feed it through the clamp, and run it continuously on to the other rod. I don't think there's an issue with landing both #6's under the burial rated clamp though.

Be sure those rods are at least 6' apart.

12' apart. I made sure to follow your direction from a previous question about installing them and I measured it to make sure I had enough distance before I drove them in.

Well right now my panel is just a main panel / disconnect (no external / exterior disconnect) (old pushmatic panel) that is just 5 feet from the meter (meter mounted on the house, and panel is in the basement directly below the meter).

However, there is the possibility that when I upgrade my service that we will move the meter, and will go with a exterior disconnect. (maybe a combo meter / disconnect). I don't know if we will do this or not, because it is pretty much contingent on the power co either doing a between pole drop or doing a burial install (which I suspect is very expensive). If the service upgrade is put in the same location on the house, then I don't see any reason to install an exterior disconnect.

So If I understand correctly, If I do upgrade to a exterior disconnect when we do the service upgrade, then at that point, the ground wire would only run to the exterior disconnect box, and would NOT connect to anything inside the home at all, is my understanding of that correct?

Thanks!
Jamie

**Termite** · 10-22-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamiedolan

So If I understand correctly, If I do upgrade to a exterior disconnect when we do the service upgrade, then at that point, the ground wire would only run to the exterior disconnect box, and would NOT connect to anything inside the home at all, is my understanding of that correct?

My friend, you may be all covered in mud and blood from this project, but you understand 100% correctly.

Grounding and bonding occurs at the point of service, which is your main disconnect.

InPhase277 · 10-22-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamiedolan

So If I understand correctly, If I do upgrade to a exterior disconnect when we do the service upgrade, then at that point, the ground wire would only run to the exterior disconnect box, and would NOT connect to anything inside the home at all, is my understanding of that correct?

Thanks!
Jamie

Yes. The neutral from the power company, and any grounding electrodes you may have, rods, water lines, concrete encased, etc, all tie together at the main disconnect. From there, a neutral and ground run to your panel and land on separate bars, and should have no electrical connection there.

jcalvin · 10-22-2008, 03:43 PM

I can see your problem in the picture very clearly. All you need to do is pull the ground rod out and turn it over, you drove it upside down.

**Termite** · 10-22-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcalvin

I can see your problem in the picture very clearly. All you need to do is pull the ground rod out and turn it over, you drove it upside down.

Looks like he used his knee too.

frenchelectrican · 10-22-2008, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamiedolan

So If I understand correctly, If I do upgrade to a exterior disconnect when we do the service upgrade, then at that point, the ground wire would only run to the exterior disconnect box, and would NOT connect to anything inside the home at all, is my understanding of that correct?

Thanks!
Jamie

Bingo.,, Ya got it right.

A nice tip is leave little extra when ya ready to move so you don't have to mess around with frozen ground { been there and done that }

Merci,Marc

SD515 · 10-22-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekctermite

.....Personally, I'd strip a 1" section of insulation from the wire where it lands on the first rod, feed it through the clamp, and run it continuously on to the other rod. I don't think there's an issue with landing both #6's under the burial rated clamp though.

If the wire is run continuous from rod to rod to panel, one 'acorn' clamp at each rod is fine. If the wire is separated...one wire between rods and another rod to panel, each connection at the rod needs it's own clamp...so one rod will have 2 clamps. And FYI Jamie...the wire from the panel to the first rod has to be continuous, after that it doesn't.

jamiedolan · 10-22-2008, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD515

If the wire is run continuous from rod to rod to panel, one 'acorn' clamp at each rod is fine. If the wire is separated...one wire between rods and another rod to panel, each connection at the rod needs it's own clamp...so one rod will have 2 clamps. And FYI Jamie...the wire from the panel to the first rod has to be continuous, after that it doesn't.

Thanks for the info. I was wondering about that, I am not positive there is enough wire left on my spool. I got tied up with pulling a new feed for the garage, and ripping out a couple old runs of wire. I hope I don't have to spend $50 on ground wire tomorrow...

Jamie