Grounding sub-panel at pool house

CraigMW · 08-18-2011, 08:14 PM

My read of the NEC is that sub-panels should never have the neutral and ground bonded together. I also understand that separate structures require their own grounding rod. So, here's my issue:

We have a pool-house roughly 100' from the main house. I have already run 1.5" grey PVC electrical conduit in a 125' trench containing four 6 gauge conductors with the intent of setting up a sub-panel. I believe based on the wire gauge and temperature ratings, I can use a 60 or 65A 2P breaker for this run to a main-lug sub-panel with separate grounding and neutral terminal strips. The issue I don't understand is do I really need to use a grounding rod at the pool house? If so, do I connect it into the grounding bar of the sub-panel? Do I still need to bring ground in from the main panel's grounding bar, or do I not need to use the 6 ga ground wire I have in the conduit? My sense is that even with a separate ground rod at the pool house, it would be best to connect the two grounding rods together with that 6 ga wire. I really don't understand the purpose of having a separate grounding rod at the pool house.

Thanks for any and all info.

electures · 08-18-2011, 08:18 PM

Detached structure requires a ground rod. #6 neutral has to be white entire length. 60a on #6 unless all terminations are 75C. Ground rod connects to the ground bar at subpanel along with ground wire from main panel.

CraigMW · 08-18-2011, 08:22 PM

Wow, that was quick! Thanks for the info.

electures · 08-18-2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigMW

Wow, that was quick! Thanks for the info.

Welcome!

CraigMW · 08-18-2011, 08:25 PM

BTW, regarding "60a on #6 unless all terminations are 75C";
Does this mean that if terminators are 75C or above, that I can go with higher ampacity breaker?

Also, the four wires in the conduit are red and black (for each side of 220V), white (neutral) and green (ground).

electures · 08-18-2011, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigMW

BTW, regarding "60a on #6 unless all terminations are 75C";
Does this mean that if terminators are 75C or above, that I can go with higher ampacity breaker?

Also, the four wires in the conduit are red and black (for each side of 220V), white (neutral) and green (ground).

If all terminals are 75C then the higher ampacity can be used. Colors are good also.

brric · 08-18-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigMW

My read of the NEC is that sub-panels should never have the neutral and ground bonded together. I also understand that separate structures require their own grounding rod. So, here's my issue:

We have a pool-house roughly 100' from the main house. I have already run 1.5" grey PVC electrical conduit in a 125' trench containing four 6 gauge conductors with the intent of setting up a sub-panel. I believe based on the wire gauge and temperature ratings, I can use a 60 or 65A 2P breaker for this run to a main-lug sub-panel with separate grounding and neutral terminal strips. The issue I don't understand is do I really need to use a grounding rod at the pool house? If so, do I connect it into the grounding bar of the sub-panel? Do I still need to bring ground in from the main panel's grounding bar, or do I not need to use the 6 ga ground wire I have in the conduit? My sense is that even with a separate ground rod at the pool house, it would be best to connect the two grounding rods together with that 6 ga wire. I really don't understand the purpose of having a separate grounding rod at the pool house.

Thanks for any and all info.

Seperate structure requires a min disconnect.

electures · 08-18-2011, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brric

Seperate structure requires a min disconnect.

What about six motions of the hand?

Jim Port · 08-18-2011, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electures

What about six motions of the hand?

Doin the hand jive?

electures · 08-18-2011, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Port

Doin the hand jive?

Baby. Lol

CraigMW · 08-19-2011, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brric

Seperate structure requires a min disconnect.

I'm not sure if I follow. Do you mean that the sub-panel requires a main breaker and not main lug? Or alternatively, that the lines coming into the sub-panel require a switch? I thought the breaker in the main panel would cover this?

brric · 08-19-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigMW

I'm not sure if I follow. Do you mean that the sub-panel requires a main breaker and not main lug? Or alternatively, that the lines coming into the sub-panel require a switch? I thought the breaker in the main panel would cover this?

You need to be able to shut off all power to the structure with 6 or fewer motions of the hand. If your panel will have more than 6 circuits then the panel needs a main breaker.

CraigMW · 08-19-2011, 11:08 AM

Okay, that makes sense.