Grounding Wire Size

jamiedolan

HI;

I just want to verify that I understand this correctly. Grounding rods never require a larger wire size then 6 AWG, even if the service is 200A. However my understanding in that the bonding wire going to the water pipie and gas pipe must be sized to 4AWG for 200 Amp service.

Is this correct?

Thanks
Jamie

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Jamie Dolan - Neenah, WI

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wirenut1110

For copper, yes.

jamiedolan

Thanks. I always forget to mention that because I always use copper.

Thanks again
Jamie

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Jamie Dolan - Neenah, WI

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ctsmiths

The grounding electrode conductor is sized according to the Largest Ungrounded Service-Entrance Conductor per table 250.66 ( in the 2002 code book, I didnt have the 2005 with me) but #8 copper and #6 aluminum is the smallest you can use. But if you had over sized wires feeding your panel, you would need to size the gounding conductor larger also. Ex: If you feed your panel with a #1/0 AWG you would use a #6 ground , but if you had to size up due to voltage drop or some other reason to #2/0 AWG you would need a #4 AWG for the ground. So you'll need to verify the feeders before you consider the ground size. hope this helps

chris75

Check out 250.66 (A)

wirenut1110

Jamie, if you're not using over 3/0 cu then the #4 is fine.

jamiedolan

The grounding rods connection the SE is always 6awg correct?

And on 200A service the bond to the other metal in the home would be 4awg or smaller awg (i.e. 2awg 0awg).

All copper.

That's correct isn't it?

Jamie

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Jamie Dolan - Neenah, WI

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jamiedolan

I think the SE cable is 3/0 AL. We are not planing to replace that at this point. If the SE cable was larger than 3/0 would I need to make the bonding connection to the water pipe with a larger size wire thatn 4 awg copper?

Jamie

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Jamie Dolan - Neenah, WI

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chris75

As long as the ground rod is the only connection for that GEC.

chris75

You can have a 2000 amp service, and if you choose to run a seperate GEC to groundrods then #6 is all that is required.


Bonding the water and any other required Grounding Electrodes would be off of Table 250.66.

wirenut1110

When I said "if you're not using over 3/0" earlier it's because you said you always use copper. For 200 amps you need 4/0 aluminum. The range for aluminum is 4/0-250 for a #4.