By Dave Rongey Summary: Listing of electrical codes for grounding with examples of electrical grounding codes for home electrical wiring.
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Electrical Code Definitions for Grounding Home Electrical Systems
Understanding the Importance of Electrical Grounding
NEC 250.5
Grounding and Bonding
Grounding and Bonding All grounding electrodes that are present at each building or structure served shall be bonded together to form the grounding electrode system.
Code Adoption Information:
The codes shown are examples only and may not be current or accurate for your application or jurisdiction. Contact your local building authority for complete information.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODES
NEC 250.5 Grounding and Bonding
Grounding and Bonding Electrodes include a metal underground water pipe in direct contact with earth for 10 feet or more, a metal frame of a building or structure, a concrete encased electrode or a ground ring
NEC 250.28 Grounding and Bonding Grounding and Bonding
A main bonding jumper or the green bonding screw provided by the panel manufacturer shall be installed in the service panel.
NEC 250.32 Grounding and Bonding
Grounding and Bonding Buildings supplied by a branch circuit or feeder shall have an equipment grounding conductor run with the supply conductors and connected to the grounding electrode system at the separate building.
NEC 250-50 A premise's electrical service shall be connected to a grounding electrode system consisting of a metal underground water pipe in direct contact with earth for 10 feet or more, if available on the premises, and a supplemental electrode (a rod, pipe, or plate electrode.) An additional electrode shall supplement the buried water pipe electrode.
NEC 250.53 Grounding and Bonding Grounding and Bonding
A metal underground water pipe shall be supplemented by an additional electrode, such as an approved rod, pipe or plate electrode.
NEC 250.64 Grounding and Bonding Grounding and Bonding
The grounding electrode conductor shall be continuous, securely fastened and protected from physical damage.
NEC 250.66 Grounding and Bonding Grounding and Bonding
The size of the grounding electrode conductor shall be determined by the size of the service-entrance conductors, per the following chart:
Equivalent Size of Service Entrance Conductor
Size
of the Grounding Electrode Conductor
Service Entrance Cable
Ground Conductor
Copper
Aluminum
Copper
Aluminum
4 AWG
2
8*
6
1 AWG
2/0
6
4
2/0 or 3/0
4/0 or 250
4
2
*The conductor that is the sole connection to a rod, pipe or plate electrode is not required to be larger than #6 AWG copper, however smaller conductors require physical protection.
NEC 250.104 Grounding and Bonding Grounding and Bonding
The interior metal water piping and other metal piping that may become energized shall be bonded to the service equipment with a bonding jumper sized the same as the grounding electrode conductor.
NEC 250.134 Wiring Methods Grounding
All electrical equipment, metal boxes, cover plates, and plaster rings shall be grounded. All switches, including dimmer switches, shall be grounded.
NEC 408.41 Wiring Methods Grounded Conductor
Each grounded conductor shall terminate within a panel board in an individual terminal that is not used for any other conductor.
NEC Code Index
Index for NEC Article Section 250
Grounding and Bonding
The following is a listing of NEC Articles which reference the subject of Grounding and Bonding
Bonding
General: NEC Article 250.90
Services: NEC Article 250.92
Bonding Conductors and Jumpers: NEC Article 250.102
Bonding for Other Systems: NEC Article 250.94
Bonding for Over 250 Volts: NEC Article 250.97
Bonding of Piping Systems and Exposed Structural Steel: NEC Article 250.104
Bonding Other Enclosures: NEC Article 250.96
Lightning Protection Systems: NEC Article 250.106
Direct-Current Systems
Size of the Direct-Current Grounding Electrode Conductor: NEC Article 250.166
Equipment Grounding and Equipment
Grounding Conductors
Equipment Connected by Cord and Plug: NEC Article 250.114
Equipment Fastened in Place (Fixed) or Connected by Permanent Wiring Methods: NEC Article 250.110
Equipment Grounding Conductor Installation: NEC Article 250.120
Identification of Equipment Grounding Conductors: NEC Article 250.119
Identification of Wiring Device Terminals: NEC Article 250.126
Size of Equipment Grounding Conductors: NEC Article 250.122
Specific Equipment Fastened in Place (Fixed) or Connected by Permanent Wiring Methods: NEC Article 250.112
Types of Equipment Grounding Conductors: NEC Article 250.118
Use of Equipment Grounding Conductors: NEC Article 250.121
General
Definitions: NEC Article 250.2
Clean Surfaces: NEC Article 250.12
Connection of Grounding and Bonding Equipment: NEC Article 250.8
General Requirements for Grounding and Bonding: NEC Article 250.4
Objectionable Current: NEC Article 250.6
Protection of Ground Clamps and Fittings: NEC Article 250.10, Scope : NEC Article 250.1
Grounding Electrode System and Grounding Electrode
Conductor
Auxiliary Grounding Electrodes: NEC Article 250.54
Common Grounding Electrode: NEC Article 250.58
Grounding Electrode Conductor and Bonding
Jumper Connection to Grounding Electrodes: NEC Article 250.68
Grounding Electrode Conductor Installation: NEC Article 250.64
Grounding Electrode Conductor Material: NEC Article 250.62
Grounding Electrodes 250.52
Grounding Electrode System: NEC Article 250.50
Grounding Electrode System Installation: NEC Article 250.53
Methods of Grounding and Bonding Conductor Connection to Electrodes: NEC Article 250.70
Size of Alternating-Current Grounding Electrode Conductor: NEC Article 250.66
Use of Strike Termination Devices: NEC Article 250.60
Enclosure, Raceway, and Service Cable Connections
Other Conductor Enclosures and Raceways: NEC Article 250.86
Service Raceways and Enclosures: NEC Article 250.80
Methods of Equipment Grounding
Connecting Receptacle Grounding Terminal to Box: NEC Article 250.146
Continuity and Attachment of Equipment
Grounding Conductors to Boxes: NEC Article 250.148
Cord-and-Plug-Connected Equipment: NEC Article 250.138
Equipment Considered Grounded: NEC Article 250.136
Equipment Fastened in Place or Connected by Permanent Wiring Methods (Fixed) Grounding: NEC Article 250.134
Equipment Grounding Conductor Connections: NEC Article 250.130
Frames of Ranges and Clothes Dryers: NEC Article 250.140
Use of Grounded Circuit Conductor for Grounding Equipment: NEC Article 250.142
System Grounding
Alternating-Current Systems of 50 Volts to Less
Than 1000 Volts Not Required to be Grounded: NEC Article 250.21
Alternating-Current Systems to be Grounded: NEC Article 250.20
Buildings or Structures Supplied by a Feeder(s) or Branch Circuit(s): NEC Article 250.32
Grounding Separately Derived Alternating-Current Systems: NEC Article 250.30
Grounding Service-Supplied Alternating-Current Systems: NEC Article 250.24
High-Impedance Grounded Neutral Systems: NEC Article 250.36
Main Bonding Jumper and System Bonding Jumper: NEC Article 250.28
Permanently Installed Generators: NEC Article 250.35
Portable and Vehicle-Mounted Generators: NEC Article 250.34
Residential Electrical Code Examples for Grounding
IRC Codes
Grounding
1.A grounding electrode system shall bond to one of the following items if they are available 2003 IRC E3508.1:
a. Metal underground water pipe, unless it is further than five feet from the building b. Concrete encased electrode/footing rebar c. Grounding rod/ring
2. Continuity of the grounding path to interior piping shall not rely on water meters, filters, or similar equipment. 2003 IRC E3508.1.1
3.Interior metal water piping shall be bonded to the service equipment enclosure or the grounded conductor at the service or the grounding electrode when of sufficient size. 2003 IRC E3508.1.1
4.Grounding clamps must be listed for the materials of the grounding electrode and for direct soil burial. 2003 IRC E3511.4
Always contact your local building authority for complete and up to date code information.
Home Electrical Wiring
Wire a GFCI Outlet without a Ground Wire
Helping You Wire it Right
NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos Will Display at the End of This Video So Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!
Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handywomen, and Electricians Includes: Wiring GFCI Outlets Wiring Home Electric Circuits 120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits Wiring Light Switches Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring ....and much more.
Questions about Residential Electrical Wiring Codes for EGS Grounding and Bonding
Question from Joseph, a Handyman in Mesquite, Texas.
My question is concerning my breaker box.
Are ground wires allowed on the same buss bar as neutrals wires? Is this a safety concern in a 1981 home build? I have never had any issues so far.
Dave’s Answer:
Joseph, Ground wires are allowed on the same buss bar as the neutral wires at the main panel where the main ground wire is located and bonded. If the panel is a sub panel, or any other panel other than the main panel, then the neutral buss and the ground buss must be separated and have separate wires to each of them.
Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right
The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!
The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!
The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets
UL Listed
Light indicates if wiring is incorrect
Very handy and easy to use.
Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!
The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..
The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.
RELATED
More about Electrical grounding
What To Do With The Ground Wire Grounding Wall Outlets and Light Switches: What to do When there is Nothing to Attach the Ground Wire to, Grounding Wall Outlets and Light Switches, Ground Wires and Ungrounded Fixtures and Boxes, Bonding the Ground Wire.
How to wire a range for 3-wire and 4-wire cords I wired my 3 wire 40amp electric range and the electric burners turn on, but the control panel does not work. Wire and 4-Wire Cord Connections for an Electric Range or Freestanding Stove, Connecting the Ground Wire, and Installing a New Circuit for an Electric Range.
Why Receptacle Outlets are Not Getting Full Power Why Do I Only Have 70 Volts on a 120 Volt Receptacle? How to Troubleshoot and Repair Outlet Problems, The Most Common Problem with Electric Outlets and How to Repair Them.
Electrical Code and Swimming Pool Light Fixtures GFCI Ground Fault Protection for Swimming Pool Lights: NEC Article 680-20, As described in this electrical question, anyone who enters the pool with this light on is in Danger of Potential Electrical Shock!
Electrical Code for Garage GFI Outlets and Receptacles How to Plan and Install Electrical Wiring for Garage Outlets and Lighting Circuits: Electrical Codes about GFCI protection for 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles in garages.
How to Wire a GFCI Switch and Light How do I add a switch to a light that is on a GFCI circuit? Ground Fault Protection for a Light Fixture.
Upgrading Old Home Electrical Wiring How to Upgrade Older Home Wiring: One consideration when upgrading older home electrical wiring would be to use Wiremold short box extensions and run Wiremold surface raceway electrical conduit between the devices to install the wires.
electrical grounding - 1839
Electrical Wiring Codes
Electrical Project Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Best performed by a Certified Electrician or Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, Battery Tools, Electric Power Tools, Electrical Meters and Voltage Testers.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level of working capabilities and electrical experience, electrical certification or contractors license, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area. Electrical Safety:
Identify the electric panel circuits found in the project area, turn them OFF and Tag them with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials:
Electrical parts and materials for all electrical projects should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections:
Installing additional electrical circuits or wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
This is a testing tool that is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect, Very handy and easy to use.
A wire stripping tool used to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.
» How To Wire It RIGHT!« Wire it with Confidence! Fully Illustrated Instant Download Now You Can Wire it like a Pro!
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