New 200amp Service

xman74

Hello DIY's!!

Installing 200amp undergorund service for my home. Would like to know what size of wire needed to run from new 200amp service panel to meter base. Next question (ground plate or use ground rod) How deep should i go.

jwhite

200 amp service is either 4/0 aluminum or 2/0 copper.

I dont know where you got the idea for ground plate, most places we use two ground rods and also ground the metal water line where it enters the house. The ground plate may be a local thing, either required or a much better idea due to soil conditioins.

mdshunk

Nope, he got the idea for the ground plate from the National Electrical Code. It's been in there for 50 years or more.



(6) Plate Electrodes.

jwhite

Thanks for the code lesson mdshunk, but what I was saying is that rarely do you see or hear of anyone mentioning one where conditions allow the use of the much easier to install ground rods.

Unless local soil conditioins requred this extra work, I for one cannot see the reason to install it.

joed

In Ontario ground plates are used very often. One plate 3 feet down or two rods 10 feet apart.

mdshunk

Driven many ground rods?

There are many locations where the local geology precludes the use of ground rods. We often speak of "ground rods" generically, using it instead of the more broad term "grounding electrode", which can be many different things besides rods.

jwhite

As far as having driven many ground rods, the answer is easily up in the hundreds. I used to do residenial work before I move up to controls and industrial/commerical work. In fact I did several services a week for over five years back when I was a helper, and guess who gets the sledge hammer.

The point I am making, that you seem to want to ignor, is that it is too much work to dig a hole big enough for a plate, when soil conditions will permit a ground rod to be driven.

Since the OP mentioned plate electrodes, he likely to live in one of those areas where they are in fact a better idea.

mdshunk

No, I'm not ignoring your point at all. Some localities we know that a ground rod cannot be driven. Some localities we're just not sure... it's hit and miss. You obviously worked in an area in which the geology allowed for ground rods to be driven all or most all of the time. Lucky you. Move somewhere else, and ground rods become a much less attractive option. The simple fact that a DIY person even mentioned a plate electrode in his post causes me to immediately believe that they are in local use in his area, and that's why he has knowledge of this more obscture grounding electrode type. Wouldn't you say? It doesn't matter anyhow. There are lots of approved types of grounding electrodes listed in 250.52. I could care less what a fella uses. Bury your old John Deere tractor and use that, if it pleases you.