If there is a GEC going from the shop to rods, then I would say it is compliant. I don't rember anything in the NEC stating that you cannot "share" rods or where the rods need to be located.
I've never seen that nor interoperated that from the NEC. I dont believe that is correct. Nor would want that for the simple reason of bringing lightning into another structure.Thus, outbuildings don't really require grounding electrodes if you run a GEC with the feeder.
It's not the intent and it is a problem, but I don't know of a reason it wouldn't be code compliant. It's pretty much exactly the situation the OP is describing: grounding electrodes near the service that are also being used as the GES for outbuildings, with separate GECs.I've never seen that nor interoperated that from the NEC. I dont believe that is correct. Nor would want that for the simple reason of bringing lightning into another structure.
When there is no overcurrent protection at the farm pole then the service conductor rules apply e.g. where the panel with OCP in the building must be within X feet of where the feed cable enters the building.At the farm pole, is OCP even required, why not run service entrance conductors instead of feeders?
Note that a water pipe or cable TV coax running between the two buildings also counts as a conductive path and will render the 3 wire feed noncompliant.... If I share the grounding electrode (rod) of the service equipment with the two buildings I now have a conductive path(s) of very low impedance/resistance between all three buildings. In my opinion that makes the 3 wire feeder non compliant , and maybe even non compliant at the time of install.
Adding to this visualize the neutral of the 3 wire feeder from service equipment to the barn panel becoming open. I now have all neutral current from the barn and shop using the gec of the barn to the common rod to return to the transformner via the gec from that same rod that is connected to the service equipment.
My opinion is this violates 250.32 (B) no other conductive paths allowed for 3 wire feeders.
Was this directed at a comment or just general knowledge being given out?If a building has a panel (or subpanel, or more than one) then it needs a grounding electrode system (e.g. two ground rods) connected to the first panel.
(Outbuildings with a plain feed, which in turn has to be 20 amps or less, don't need a GES.)
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Where did the 20 amps come from? As long as it's a single branch circuit or MWBC and contains an equipment grounding conductor, I don't need a grounding electrode system.If a building has a panel (or subpanel, or more than one) then it needs a grounding electrode system (e.g. two ground rods) connected to the first panel. Disconnect, not always a panel.
(Outbuildings with a plain feed, which in turn has to be 20 amps or less, don't need a GES.)
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You can do that and many times you will see a utility isolation device way up on the pole and a long rod that comes down the pole that you use to open the service conductors via a enclosure similar to an unfused disconnect. The pole is called the farm distribution point and most of the requirements when those come into play is in the article covering agricultural buildings in the NEC.At the farm pole, is OCP even required, why not run service entrance conductors instead of feeders?
I understand your parallel neutral dilemma, what they did never should have occurred. If you ever end up with a open neutral, someone could get hurt or worse.You can do that and many times you will see a utility isolation device way up on the pole and a long rod that comes down the pole that you use to open the service conductors via a enclosure similar to an unfused disconnect. The pole is called the farm distribution point and most of the requirements when those come into play is in the article covering agricultural buildings in the NEC.
Getting back to what I am making a point of.... even if I do not have an open neutral in the feeder to the barn. Half my neutral current is using the gec's from the service equipment and the barn to return to the transformer because both panels (SE and barn panel) are bonded to the grounded conductor at each panel and they are using a common rod electrode.. If I take a meter I'm going to see substantial current flow on those gec's under normal operation.
I have a parallel path that the neutral current is going to split on.
Well to end this I'm not doing the job .. I've decided to walk away. I need 125 feet of trench thru a solid rock shelf to get to the pump location. Im not even sure if I can find a trench contractor that would fool with it. I don't need the head ache and jobs like this seem to always turn out to be a mistake if you take them on. Besides I'm retired I need the easy stuff ...I understand your parallel neutral dilemma, what they did never should have occurred. If you ever end up with a open neutral, someone could get hurt or worse.
(correction) If it is a "special purpose" circuit, namely not having any "standard" light fixtures or 15 amp or 20 amp receptacles, then it can be more than 20 amps, and without a subpanel and grounding electrode system where it gets to the outbuilding.Where did the 20 amps come from?