12-2 with ground for multi wire

[Benjamin Thompson]

OK. I think what I am seeing in this service panel is 12-2 Romex with ground being utilized for multi-wire circuits! The sure-test showed no false grounds for what that is worth.
23349

[John Dirks Jr]

Its possible they're feeding a 240v circuit with two single pole breakers(un-tied and incorrect).

Were you able to determine where the conductors went after they left the panel?

[Benjamin Thompson]

Very limited labeling and I didn't follow up on the labels. All were for 110 volt circuits. I also didn't do the arithmetic to see what wiring was on what phase. I figured the electrician could sort that out. Have to say, this was first in 15 years!
Of course, the client asked, "how do you fix this?". I said, "I don't, you need an electrician."

[Roger Frazee]

Very limited labeling and I didn't follow up on the labels. All were for 110 volt circuits. There were only a couple of 220 circuits in the home. I also didn't do the arithmetic to see what wiring was on what phase. I figured the electrician could sort that out. Have to say, this was first in 15 years!
Of course, the client asked, "how do you fix this?". I said, "I don't, you need an electrician."

I'm not sure how you are seeing MWBC. The black and white wires connected to the single poles would mean they are using the bare equipment grounds in those nm cables as neutral if that were the case.

A picture that has more clarity would be nice.

I always cringe when I see Murray metering equipment as those main breakers are more apt to fail than any breaker I've ever experienced.

[Jimmy Roberts]

You're right, this panel is wired with each romex cable, servicing two circuits, and using the single ground lead, as the neutral for two circuits. The NEC requires a neutral equal to the phase conductor, and therefore, two circuits cannot share a neutral lead. It is very obvious this was a non professional installation, and was not inspected. It also was done AFTER the utility co connected the meter. Of course, this also means the previous branch circuits were pulled out, and replaced with what is there now.

[Jerry Peck]

All were for 110 volt circuits.

Did you confirm they were multiwire branch circuits by using a clamp-on ammeter to measure the current on the grounds and the two hots within the NM cables you suspect were multiwire circuits? You could easily confirm if they were multiwire circuits with a clamp-on ammeter (a tool every home inspector should have in their tool bag, but a tool which does not always get a lot of use - just like having a multimeter in your bag, you should have it, but you likely will not use it often).

[Benjamin Thompson]

Did you confirm they were multiwire branch circuits by using a clamp-on ammeter to measure the current on the grounds and the two hots within the NM cables you suspect were multiwire circuits? You could easily confirm if they were multiwire circuits with a clamp-on ammeter (a tool every home inspector should have in their tool bag, but a tool which does not always get a lot of use - just like having a multimeter in your bag, you should have it, but you likely will not use it often).

I didn't. Do you have an alternate theory for this configuration?
Maybe this photo is clearer
23352

[Jerry Peck]

I didn't. Do you have an alternate theory for this configuration?

With the information you have given, I do not have an alternate theory, nor am I convinced you are correct. I am leaning toward you being correct, but there is not enough information to know for sure.

As a home inspector you would not want to do any of the things which may be needed to confirm those are multiwire branch circuits ... other than having used a clamp-on ammeter to check the amps in the two hots and the ground for each NM cable.

[Roger Frazee]

I didn't. Do you have an alternate theory for this configuration?
Maybe this photo is clearer
23352

What is your logic that the circuits are MWBC ? Their is no way to tell for sure without testing. I wanted the clearer picture to determine the wiring (blacks and whites) was originating from the same nm cable.

You could have turned off both breakers of one circuit in question ... found what stopped operating and that would tell you if a 120 volt load was on the circuit or a 240 volt load.

[Benjamin Thompson]

Well Roger, I count (11) 110 volt breakers and (5) 220 volt. (2) 110 volt with white wires. How many 1200 sqft homes have you seen with (7) 220 volt circuits and and (7) 110 volt circuits? BTW, electric furnace, not baseboard heat.
1 220 for the dryer
1 220 for the water heater
2 220 for the furnace
1 200 for the range
What would the other (2) 220 circuits be for? And why wouldn't they be on 2 pole breakers?
And you can see very well in the photo that the black and white originate from the same NM wires.
I "could" have done alot of things, but I didn't need to, it was clear to me what was going on. I surprised it isn't clear to you.

[Donald Farrell]

Help me here, please. When did we return to 110/220 voltages?

I thought we are at 120/240 VAC here in the U.S.:)

[H.G. Watson, Sr.]

Well Roger, I count (11) 110 volt breakers and (5) 220 volt. (2) 110 volt with white wires. How many 1200 sqft homes have you seen with (7) 220 volt circuits and and (7) 110 volt circuits? BTW, electric furnace, not baseboard heat.
1 220 for the dryer
1 220 for the water heater
2 220 for the furnace
1 200 for the range
What would the other (2) 220 circuits be for? And why wouldn't they be on 2 pole breakers?
And you can see very well in the photo that the black and white originate from the same NM wires.
I "could" have done alot of things, but I didn't need to, it was clear to me what was going on. I surprised it isn't clear to you.

Possiblities,

Air Conditioning...Central split or receptacle; 120/240V circuits or straight 240vac (250V rated receptacles);

Split cooking facilities, i.e. electric cooktop and wall oven(s);

120/240V MWBC or feeder to garage or detached accessory bldg, "hot tub", pool heater, etc.;

in-floor electric radiant in sunroom, entry, bathroom, etc.;

Sewage ejectors/lift pumps; well pumps.

See what appears to be some older UF landing to the left bottom most breaker and the right top most breaker, hopefully an illusion; some reidentification lower right, appears to be arc ghosting and melt down center lower left, excessive debris, unsecured/clamped cables, and excessive cable sheath & cable insulation present, and over-stripped (exposed conductors) insulation at left. As you indicate the directory is less-than-complete or accurate, obvious referral required. 5 ea. different type mount.

Suspect flash, arc, short, fire, and/or lightening incident(s).

7 or more 120/240 and/or 240V branch circuits and/or feeders wouldn't be the least bit unusual for all-electric home of that size.

[Jack Feldmann]

There could be ceiling heat strips, or window air conditioner outlets to account for all the 240V circuits.
It took some zooming in, but I finally could see the white wires going to single pole breakers. Did you pull off any outlet covers to see what kind of wiring was there?

[Roger Frazee]

Well Roger, I count (11) 110 volt breakers and (5) 220 volt. (2) 110 volt with white wires. How many 1200 sqft homes have you seen with (7) 220 volt circuits and and (7) 110 volt circuits? BTW, electric furnace, not baseboard heat
Your kidding of course ... :)


What would the other (2) 220 circuits be for? And why wouldn't they be on 2 pole breakers?
Answer to first question ... if all electric home the answer is .. several.
Answer to second question ... that's a mystery that I thought you were trying to get us to help you answer.


And you can see very well in the photo that the black and white originate from the same NM wires.

Nope I can't see it clearly. But I'll take your word for it. I asked the question for two reasons ... to see if they were paired with the correct black wire of the same cable assembly and to then determine if the white and black were connected to breakers on opposite hot legs of the service. This would be fundamental if you were trying to determine if MWBC was the wiring design. Black and white connected to breakers on opposite legs would signal 240 volt branch circuit not MWBC.


I "could" have done alot of things, but I didn't need to, it was clear to me what was going on. I surprised it isn't clear to you.

What is clear? Those breakers with white wires connected to the box terminals of single pole breakers are part of MWBC circuits ?? No sir .. that is not clear at all. It is a possibility but in my opinion there is a bigger possibility they are serving 240 volt branch circuits as mentioned earlier.

You have provided a picture and that is it. From that picture how can you possibly expect us to agree with you that those are MWBC ... ??? If the picture is that clear can you tell me the position/space the breakers that have white wires connected to them are on opposite hot legs from the black wires of the same cable.
I'm asking because if the person that did this knew to use opposite hot legs to correctly wire 240 volt or MWBC 120/240 then they would have known that using the equipment ground as neutral was a big no..no. I just doubt that this person would go around to all the outlets that are typically served by MWBC wiring a bare equipment ground to all the neutral terminals.

No offense but you didn't cover your bases as you should have before asking your question here .... :)

[Gary Bottomley]

Did you confirm they were multiwire branch circuits by using a clamp-on ammeter to measure the current on the grounds and the two hots within the NM cables you suspect were multiwire circuits? You could easily confirm if they were multiwire circuits with a clamp-on ammeter (a tool every home inspector should have in their tool bag, but a tool which does not always get a lot of use - just like having a multimeter in your bag, you should have it, but you likely will not use it often).

Jerry:
Based on the emphasis added in your quote, it sounds like a clamp-on ampmeter should be a tool that all inspectors should be using. Do you feel that any of the published Standards of Practice or State Regulations require this or is this your opinion from your experience as a litigation consultant?

[Richard D. Fornataro]

The theory regarding baseboard heat could be possible, however; the one clear branch circuit that I can definitively trace visually reveals a black wire connected to circuit 24 and a white wire from the same cable assembly connected to circuit 17. If these are 120v circuits, the ground must be being utilized as a neutral. Since c/b 17 is an "A" phase and c/b 24 is a "B" phase, I guess they understood the concept of "additive" vs.
"phased." LOL. I am visually seeing the bare copper conductors connected to the panel case. (Do you think they bothered to scrape the paint to provide a good connection to the metal?) I can't think of a circumstance where the picture as provided reveals correct electrical wiring technique. Definitley requires evaluation by a professional.

[Jack Feldmann]

Gary,
I can't answer for Jerry, but I don't think any Standards of Practice call out the requirement for ANY tools.
I have a clamp on meter, but probably don't use it more than a half dozen times a year. Same with a multimeter.
Sometimes you have to go a little beyond normal so you don't look like a fool calling out something that is actually OK, or to call out something that is not all that obvious as a problem.

[Jerry Peck]

Jerry:
Based on the emphasis added in your quote, it sounds like a clamp-on ampmeter should be a tool that all inspectors should be using. Do you feel that any of the published Standards of Practice or State Regulations require this ...

Nope, and none of the SoP require flashlights, ladders, screwdrivers, pliers, moisture meters, receptacle outlet testers, etc.


... or is this your opinion from your experience as a litigation consultant?

My opinion based on having done home inspections for 17 years before retiring from home inspections. Just like all the other tools mentioned above, and many others not mentioned, a home inspector simply cannot answer some of their own questions without being able to determine (verify) what is going on, and only after verifying what is going on can the home inspectors offer their professional opinion in writing in their report.

Just like in this thread, there simply had not been enough information given to reasonably judge whether or not those breakers are multiwire branch circuits (they could be) or just 240 circuits with the white being used as hots (they could be), and what the home inspector writes up in the report depends on which they reasonably determine those to be.

[Donald Farrell]

Help me please, I just do not understand why this question is still being bandied around.

By code, Current carrying conductors must be insulated, correct? The EGC can be bare, correct?

To be a multi-wire circuit, there can only be 120 VAC between the Ungrounded Conductor and the Grounded Conductor, Correct.

The grounded conductor cannot be used as an ungrounded conductor in a multi-wire circuit, Correct!

No ungrounded conductor can be used as a Neutral conductor.

If the panel in question is using 12/2 (arbitrary cable size) by code definition it cannot be used as a multi-wire branch circuit.

Either write the panelboard up for violating code, or have the homeowner or electrician prove to you that these are Not multi-wire branch circuits and let this item die a natural death.

Don

[Jerry Peck]

The grounded conductor cannot be used as an ungrounded conductor in a multi-wire circuit, Correct!

INCORRECT! :D (Think about it first, then read on. ;) )
.
.
.
.
. (see phrase between the **)
"The grounded conductor *is not allowed to* be used as an ungrounded conductor in a multi-wire circuit," :)



No ungrounded conductor can be used as a Neutral conductor.

Huh? The neutral is *supposed to be* grounded, so an ungrounded conductor *is not allowed to be* used as the neutral. That does not mean people cannot or will not try to do it.


If the panel in question is using 12/2 (arbitrary cable size) by code definition it cannot be used as a multi-wire branch circuit.

Now you are getting it: "by code definition", but when is the last time many of the things we see were done 'in accordance with the definitions'? ;)

Which leaves us with the possibility that those are multiwire branch circuits ... and possibly not. :cool:

[H.G. Watson, Sr.]

Some of those grounding conductors appear to be undersized.

[Benjamin Thompson]

Help me please, I just do not understand why this question is still being bandied around.

By code, Current carrying conductors must be insulated, correct? The EGC can be bare, correct?

To be a multi-wire circuit, there can only be 120 VAC between the Ungrounded Conductor and the Grounded Conductor, Correct.

The grounded conductor cannot be used as an ungrounded conductor in a multi-wire circuit, Correct!

No ungrounded conductor can be used as a Neutral conductor.

If the panel in question is using 12/2 (arbitrary cable size) by code definition it cannot be used as a multi-wire branch circuit.

Either write the panelboard up for violating code, or have the homeowner or electrician prove to you that these are Not multi-wire branch circuits and let this item die a natural death.

Don
Exactly! Thank you Don!
I think others (like me) that have not seen this before are trying to come up with alternative explanations, but so far, no one can.

The theories of additional 240 (OK, not 220) volt circuits don't hold water in this home.
I basically posted this as "informational" to let other home inspectors know about something to look out for. As Mr. Frazee pointed out, this is not readily evident from the pics or from observing the panel but is a serious safety hazard as the entire grounding system is energized.
That others don't see it as an issue perplexes me.

I would have tried the ammeter approach if I had thought of it, I carry 2 in the truck but would have somehow had to make sure those circuits were energized. As far as dismanteling outlets, I'm not going there.

[Bill Kriegh]

Exactly! Thank you Don!
I think others (like me) that have not seen this before are trying to come up with alternative explanations, but so far, no one can.

The theories of additional 240 (OK, not 220) volt circuits don't hold water in this home.
I basically posted this as "informational" to let other home inspectors know about something to look out for. As Mr. Frazee pointed out, this is not readily evident from the pics or from observing the panel but is a serious safety hazard as the entire grounding system is energized.
That others don't see it as an issue perplexes me.

I would have tried the ammeter approach if I had thought of it, I carry 2 in the truck but would have somehow had to make sure those circuits were energized. As far as dismanteling outlets, I'm not going there.

It never hurts to carry around a lamp socket that plugs directly into a receptacle that has a flasher button and a lamp as large as the flasher will handle. Makes it easy to see which breaker feeds a receptacle with an amp clamp - and in this case easy to verify if any of these circuits feed 120 volt loads

[John Kogel]

The sure-test showed no false grounds for what that is worth.
First of all, there are plenty of reasons to call for an electrician to make repairs here. I think we would all agree there. Nobody is saying there is no cause for concern.

We are not all completely convinced that the bare conductors are being used as neutrals, as there are other explanations, which you've already seen.
What is the explanation for the presence of grounding, if the bare conductors are being used as neutrals? The homeowner added bootleg jumpers to every receptacle?

Is it possible that red wires, indicating 12/3 conductors, were used as neutrals on some of those circuits? I see 8 or 9 insulated neutral conductors going to the neutral bus, several are a reddish brown color. That's enough neutrals to supply the 120 volt circuits on the left side of the panel. The two 30 amps on the top of the left side look like a 240 circuit missing a tie-bar.

Most of the breakers on the right side of the panel, with the tie-bars, appear to be supplying 240 volt circuits, some of which may be capped off for future heating circuits. Sorry, but that is what I see there.

[John Dirks Jr]

There easily could be a 240 recep anywhere. It can be one thats easily mistaken too. Look at the picture. It's a 240v recep that fits into any place you would normally see a 120v unit. Look closely you'll see the hot slot is sideways.

I have one of these in my back porch (converted to small shop) to run an air compressor.

[Benjamin Thompson]

Well, this is my last response on this topic. It reminds me of the stories about the native Americans actually not being able to physically see the ships of the pilgrims because it wasn't in their realm of experience or possibility!
Yes, I've only been doing this for 14 years and I wouldn't possibly know what is a 240 volt outlet and what isn't. I wouldn't know if there was radiant ceiling heat, I wouldn't know if some breakers were not in use,
Thank goodness for the buyer it was me inspecting the home and not one of you, telling them there may be no problem, "there are probably just some 240 volt circuits I haven't found that do not have handle ties and may not be on the same phase, but don't worry about it!"

[Donald Farrell]

Ben,

Since you have been in the field for 14 years and have lost all knowledge of things electrical, could you please approve the work I just completed. Trust me, it's done to code and beyond. :)

[Jimmy Roberts]

On the right side, it appears there may be 220v baseboard heaters on the first, second and fourth breakers. The other breaker on the right appears to be larger wire, with black on each terminal. On the left, the breakers are not linked, so [if] those are also baseboard heaters, they are using improper breakers. Nothing is labeled, so further investigation is required to verify what is connected. If these branches are for outlets, or any other 110v circuits, then there is a problem. Again, determine what is connected. A simple circuit tracer will do, or simply open each breaker, and see what is not powered. It's not rocket science to figure this out.

[John Dirks Jr]

Ben,

It was not my intention to rib you in my last post. I was just sharing what I thought could be possibilities. I, and I bet many others learned from this thread so thanks for starting it.

[Roger Frazee]

Well, this is my last response on this topic. It reminds me of the stories about the native Americans actually not being able to physically see the ships of the pilgrims because it wasn't in their realm of experience or possibility!
Yes, I've only been doing this for 14 years and I wouldn't possibly know what is a 240 volt outlet and what isn't. I wouldn't know if there was radiant ceiling heat, I wouldn't know if some breakers were not in use,
Thank goodness for the buyer it was me inspecting the home and not one of you, telling them there may be no problem, "there are probably just some 240 volt circuits I haven't found that do not have handle ties and may not be on the same phase, but don't worry about it!"

Ben

No one is trying to insult your intelligence. I hope I did not make you feel that way. I do not know you or your experience level. I was simply pointing out that the picture does not prove mwbc is in use. You even mentioned that you "think" they are mulit-wires.You gave no information that would cause us to believe beyond a doubt that those circuits are multi-wires. As for wrong ... sure there are things wrong but the devil is in the details ... and you gave no details about why those circuits would have to be mwbc.

[Norman Ellis]

What is your logic that the circuits are MWBC ? Their is no way to tell for sure without testing. I wanted the clearer picture to determine the wiring (blacks and whites) was originating from the same nm cable.

You could have turned off both breakers of one circuit in question ... found what stopped operating and that would tell you if a 120 volt load was on the circuit or a 240 volt load.

Ok having any white wires under a single pole breaker is an incorrect installation and a huge safety and fire hazard.
2 conductor nmsc can only have the white wire landed under a 2 pole single phase 240V non nuetral circuit or no 120v control such as for electric water heaters or baseboard heating with 240V temp controls, well pumps, regardless they require to be installed under a 2 pole breaker.

calling in an electrician would be a good move.

[Roger Frazee]

Ok having any white wires under a single pole breaker is an incorrect installation and a huge safety and fire hazard.Incorrect installation .... yes ... safety hazard ... yes ... fire hazard ... doubtful but we don't have the details ... but if it is mwbc you have an energized bare equipment ground conductor being used as neutral and that is not good.


2 conductor nmsc can only have the white wire landed under a 2 pole single phase 240V non nuetral circuit or no 120v control such as for electric water heaters or baseboard heating with 240V temp controls, well pumps, regardless they require to be installed under a 2 pole breaker.
I think we established that early on in this thread. No one has advocated that nothing is wrong, incorrect or anything of the like. We were simply pointing out that even if the installation is incorrect those single pole breakers may be powering 240 volt branch circuits. The OP asked if anyone had any alternative theories...:) Since there wasn't any testing done those circuits may or may not be mwbc.I don't think they are mwbc.

I think they are 120 volt branch circuits that have been converted to 240 volt branch circuits by the homeowner or someone else.

Should a electrician take a look and make the necessary corrections....absolutely.

[Jerry Peck]

2 conductor nmsc can only have the white wire landed under a 2 pole single phase 240V non nuetral circuit or no 120v control such as for electric water heaters or baseboard heating with 240V temp controls, well pumps, regardless they require to be installed under a 2 pole breaker.

The above gives the impression that doing what is stated is 'okay', but ... *it is not okay* to do what is stated above.

If the white wire is to be used as stated above, the white wire must be reidentified so that it is no longer 'white', it is some other approved color for an ungrounded conductor, typically either red or black, and because the other conductor in the NM cable is black, the white should typically be reidentified to red.

[Norman Ellis]

The above gives the impression that doing what is stated is 'okay', but ... *it is not okay* to do what is stated above.

If the white wire is to be used as stated above, the white wire must be reidentified so that it is no longer 'white', it is some other approved color for an ungrounded conductor, typically either red or black, and because the other conductor in the NM cable is black, the white should typically be reidentified to red.

non grounded conductors must be identified true this came into effect in the late 80's, but that is knowledge to those with code training, most 240v 2 conductor circuits are twisted to help identify them as a 2 pole circuit at the panel during make up by the electrician (PRE CODE CHANGE) than when 3 conductor 4 wire circuits came around a grounded conductor and a ground electrode conductor became mandintory. but back to the white wire under a single pole breaker it does become a fire hazard as the groundelectrode conductor become return path of any unbalance load of the circuit back to the panel, nuetrals will carry electrical current not just voltage. as a non insulated conductor with it will heat up sorrounding materials quicker (ambiant air) plus exposes those items to the chance of taking electricity to an alternate path.

we have 38 electrical fires in the residential region every hour on average, effecting450,000 homes/injuring/killing 5000 people every year by known or unknown region electrical fires, so yes this circuitry could very well be an electrical fire hazard.

[Jim Port]

non grounded conductors must be identified true this came into effect in the late 80's, but that is knowledge to those with code training, most 240v 2 conductor circuits are twisted to help identify them as a 2 pole circuit at the panel during make up by the electrician (PRE CODE CHANGE) than when 3 conductor 4 wire circuits came around a grounded conductor and a ground electrode conductor became mandintory. but back to the white wire under a single pole breaker it does become a fire hazard as the ground electrode conductor become return path of any unbalance load of the circuit back to the panel, nuetrals will carry electrical current not just voltage. as a non insulated conductor with it will heat up sorrounding materials quicker (ambiant air) plus exposes those items to the chance of taking electricity to an alternate path.

we have 38 electrical fires in the residential region every hour on average, effecting450,000 homes/injuring/killing 5000 people every year by known or unknown region electrical fires, so yes this circuitry could very well be an electrical fire hazard.

A GEC connects the panel to any of the acceptacle electrodes listed in Article 250 like a rod, plate etc. It will not carry any unbalanced load back to the panel, unless someone elses neutral current is leaking through the ground and returning on another neutral.

A GEC is not even run with the circuit conductors.

[Norman Ellis]

A GEC connects the panel to any of the acceptacle electrodes listed in Article 250 like a rod, plate etc. It will not carry any unbalanced load back to the panel, unless someone elses neutral current is leaking through the ground and returning on another neutral.

A GEC is not even run with the circuit conductors.
the circuit is using ground as the nuetral!!! look at the picture.
the non metalic sheathing and paper will not absorb/displace the same amount of heat as an insulated conductor.(agian I'm talking about embiant air heat to air displacement) this is based on electrical theory and resistance. resistance will cause deterioration on wiring, the nuetral is always the first to overheat on the circuit.
when dealing with aluminum wiring you will find the nuetral wire discolored/bubbled at the points of highest resistance (taps/terminations/spices) and beyond that. working in the field on service calls I have found hunreds of circuits with this problem, you base your answer on NEC codes, this installation is not to code we have covered that, I'm stating facts from electrical theory and years of experience in the field. using the ground as a nuetral exposes electrical current in junctions and at the panel. don't believe me go and touch a ground wire from a 120V circuit used as a neutral while under load.

[Norman Ellis]

the circuit is using ground as the nuetral!!! look at the picture.
the non metalic sheathing and paper will not absorb/displace the same amount of heat as an insulated conductor.(agian I'm talking about embiant air heat to air displacement) this is based on electrical theory and resistance. resistance will cause deterioration on wiring, the nuetral is always the first to overheat on the circuit.
when dealing with aluminum wiring you will find the nuetral wire discolored/bubbled at the points of highest resistance (taps/terminations/spices) and beyond that. working in the field on service calls I have found hunreds of circuits with this problem, you base your answer on NEC codes, this installation is not to code we have covered that, I'm stating facts from electrical theory and years of experience in the field. using the ground as a nuetral exposes electrical current in junctions and at the panel. don't believe me go and touch a ground wire from a 120V circuit used as a neutral while under load.

if the nuetral is the second side to a 240V circuit then yes the ground wire (GEC) would not be used to close path of the circuit.

Ground (GEC) has been ran with circuitry since the early 60's all termination points, devices or equipment must be grounded to the GEC (minus exceptions under article 250 double insulated tooling, DC, marine, isolated special means. ECT.) or have a path to ground by mechanical ground/conduit, building ground or ground electrode under NEC code requirements. by the 70's ground conducter was required to be of same size as the circuit conductor, in the 80's the means to ground became primary in installation (set screw connectors, grounded bushings ECT...) don't try to tell me the GEC doesn't run with the path of circuit, it is in place with circuitry to give protection and provide an alternate path to ground if the service recieves an electrical surge/lightning strike or if a circuit path becomes open to prevent exposure to any conductive materials outside its normal path.

Is this installation an electrical fire hazrd????

as mentioned before 38 electrical fires an hour in the residential region, 40% from older outdated services, 20% by alterations to service by non qualified people. 20% by faulty equipment/devices or installation. other means: rodants/insects infestation, exposure to weather/bios, shifting in structure/damaged wiring and more.

I have just under 30 years in the electrical/construction/mantenace field, with over 3 years research following report from USFA (United State Fire Administration) FEMA, NFPA, ESFI (Electrical Safety Foundation International) U/L labs, Utilities commision, electrical engineering professors on causes to electrical fires, I know electricity, I know circuitry, I know NEC code.

Most people will do what it takes to make electricity work, VERY FEW will make it right, and even less will understand the danger of electricity when it is not provided a properly protected path.

The electrical enviroment developed in an occupied home is only as safe as the electrical service that provides that power.

You can be as book smart as the people that write the books or teach, but you can only be as smart in the field as the time and experience you retain.

I have never met an engineer or inspector with less than 10 years in the field that I haven't had to correct on a design/installation, and that is why I became a home inspector/consultant

[Jim Port]

Ground (GEC) has been ran with circuitry since the early 60's all termination points, devices or equipment must be grounded to the GEC (minus exceptions under article 250 double insulated tooling, DC, marine, isolated special means. ECT.) or have a path to ground by mechanical ground/conduit, building ground or ground electrode under NEC code requirements. by the 70's ground conducter was required to be of same size as the circuit conductor, in the 80's the means to ground became primary in installation (set screw connectors, grounded bushings ECT...) don't try to tell me the GEC doesn't run with the path of circuit, it is in place with circuitry to give protection and provide an alternate path to ground if the service recieves an electrical surge/lightning strike or if a circuit path becomes open to prevent exposure to any conductive materials outside its normal path.

You might want to review the NEC Article 100 definitions.

Grounding Electrode. A conducting object through which
a direct connection to earth is established.

Grounding Electrode Conductor. A conductor used to
connect the system grounded conductor or the equipment to
a grounding electrode or to a point on the grounding electrode
system.

You are referring to an EGC, not a GEC.

Grounding Conductor, Equipment (EGC). The conductive
path(s) installed to connect normally non–current-carrying
metal parts of equipment together and to the system grounded
conductor or to the grounding electrode conductor, or both.



I have just under 30 years in the electrical/construction/mantenace field, with over 3 years research following report from USFA (United State Fire Administration) FEMA, NFPA, ESFI (Electrical Safety Foundation International) U/L labs, Utilities commision, electrical engineering professors on causes to electrical fires, I know electricity, I know circuitry, I know NEC code.

With all that experience, including 10 years in the IBEW, and you still get common terms confused? :confused:



I have never met an engineer or inspector with less than 10 years in the field that I haven't had to correct on a design/installation, and that is why I became a home inspector/consultant

Rather bold don't you think considering the above?

[Jerry Peck]

most 240v 2 conductor circuits are twisted to help identify them as a 2 pole circuit at the panel during make up by the electrician

I've not seen that, maybe that was a practice in your area?

I'd be concerned that the twisted wires, under high current conditions (such as approaching overcurrent conditions) the twisted wires could become a choke coil and reduce the current being allowed through to the overcurrent device.

[Bill Kriegh]

You might want to review the NEC Article 100 definitions.

Grounding Electrode. A conducting object through which
a direct connection to earth is established.

Grounding Electrode Conductor. A conductor used to
connect the system grounded conductor or the equipment to
a grounding electrode or to a point on the grounding electrode
system.

You are referring to an EGC, not a GEC.

Grounding Conductor, Equipment (EGC). The conductive
path(s) installed to connect normally non–current-carrying
metal parts of equipment together and to the system grounded
conductor or to the grounding electrode conductor, or both.




With all that experience, including 10 years in the IBEW, and you still get common terms confused? :confused:




Rather bold don't you think considering the above?


Its only electricity - anybody can read the book and become an expert.

[Norman Ellis]

You might want to review the NEC Article 100 definitions.

Grounding Electrode. A conducting object through which
a direct connection to earth is established.

Grounding Electrode Conductor. A conductor used to
connect the system grounded conductor or the equipment to
a grounding electrode or to a point on the grounding electrode
system.

You are referring to an EGC, not a GEC.

Grounding Conductor, Equipment (EGC). The conductive
path(s) installed to connect normally non–current-carrying
metal parts of equipment together and to the system grounded
conductor or to the grounding electrode conductor, or both.




With all that experience, including 10 years in the IBEW, and you still get common terms confused? :confused:
NEC is mininmal requirements, quality is the firthest from the bottem line when it comes to building or maintaining a home's electrical service.



Rather bold don't you think considering the above?

bold?? no bold is thinking a book can make you an expert or even qualified to do the work.

[Norman Ellis]

Its only electricity - anybody can read the book and become an expert.
thats like saying anyone can build a car, ok you built a car, how safe is it? how long will it last under constant use?, come on be real nobody can build a car road worthy the for any amount of time the fisrt attempt,or even the second. and no one could properly wire a home their first try.

I'll say it again a non insulated conductor (ground) can not be a safe source to close path on a circuit.

[Jerry Peck]

You might want to review the NEC Article 100 definitions.

Grounding Electrode. A conducting object through which
a direct connection to earth is established.

Grounding Electrode Conductor. A conductor used to
connect the system grounded conductor or the equipment to
a grounding electrode or to a point on the grounding electrode
system.

You are referring to an EGC, not a GEC.

Grounding Conductor, Equipment (EGC). The conductive
path(s) installed to connect normally non–current-carrying
metal parts of equipment together and to the system grounded
conductor or to the grounding electrode conductor, or both.




With all that experience, including 10 years in the IBEW, and you still get common terms confused? :confused:




Rather bold don't you think considering the above?


bold?? no bold is thinking a book can make you an expert or even qualified to do the work.

Jim,

I am beginning to think he may be so clueless that he did not even understand what you were pointing out ... that, to him, what he posted and you quoted still sounds correct. :eek:

Jim, Bill, you didn't know that the GEC (grounding electrode conductor) is supposed to be run with the circuit conductors? What is wrong with you two ... and me ... I didn't know that either ... ;)

GEC (grounding electrode conductor)
EGC (equipment grounding conductor
CEG (circuit envelope grounding ... okay, I made that one up:) )
... What's the diff? They all have "grounding" in there someplace, don't they? :D

[Jerry Peck]

I'll say it again a non insulated conductor (ground) can not be a safe source to close path on a circuit.

"I'll say it again"

The problem is, Norman, that you did not say that before, but, now you are getting close to saying it correctly.

[Norman Ellis]

I've not seen that, maybe that was a practice in your area?

I'd be concerned that the twisted wires, under high current conditions (such as approaching overcurrent conditions) the twisted wires could become a choke coil and reduce the current being allowed through to the overcurrent device.

Current(ampers) runs on EMF (electro magnetic force)produced by your voltage. when you have wires twisted the field is reduced in size, hurtz has less fluxuation reducing resistance from travel of the electrode atom.

if you go to any hardware or electrical supply house all multi conductor cables are twisted.

have you ever seen what happens when you run parrellal feeds with one phase in each conduit next to eachother? The conduits will overheat from the EMF fields becoming unbalanced, they will colide in travel producing so much friction and heat the conductors will melt and the conduits will glow red. you need the EMF to be balanced and the best way to provide that is with a twisting pattern

[Jerry Peck]

Current(ampers) runs on EMF (electro magnetic force)produced by your voltage. when you have wires twisted the field is reduced in size, hurtz has less fluxuation reducing resistance from travel of the electrode atom.

if you go to any hardware or electrical supply house all multi conductor cables are twisted.

have you ever seen what happens when you run parrellal feeds with one phase in each conduit next to eachother? The conduits will overheat from the EMF fields becoming unbalanced, they will collide in travel producing so much friction and heat the conductors will melt and the conduits will glow red. you need the EMF to be balanced and the best way to provide that is with a twisting pattern

You really have no idea what is going on or what you are saying, do you?

Or, if you do, you have no idea what terms to use, how they are spelled, what they mean, and which terms should be used where, do you?

"ampers"
- You mean 'amperes'.

"EMF (electro magnetic force)"
- Typically, emf stands for 'electromotive force'.

"hurtz" - Hertz

"if you go to any hardware or electrical supply house all multi conductor cables are twisted."
- Not in the manner in which described. Go buy any (virtually any) grounded type round extension cord and the conductors have a gradual twist (more of a gradual spiral wrap), you described taking a short section of wires and twisting them together, which would indicate many turns in a short distance, i.e., you just made a "coil" in that sense, and when the current, frequency, and number of turns matches to the extent necessary (I have not worked with those aspects for over 40 years, so I will not even attempt to do the calculations). You will notice, though, that 'flat' two conductor NM cable also has a slight spiral affect of the conductors within the outer sheath.

"have you ever seen what happens when you run parrellal feeds with one phase in each conduit next to eachother? The conduits will overheat from the EMF fields becoming unbalanced, they will colide in travel producing so much friction and heat the conductors will melt and the conduits will glow red. you need the EMF to be balanced and the best way to provide that is with a twisting pattern"
- You are referring to eddy currents, which are the stray magnetic currents induced in the metal conduit due to the conductors being in separate conduits and their magnetic fields not canceling each other out. Those eddy currents are why, when parallel conductors are run, a complete set is run in each conduit and enter the metal enclosure in their respective conduits. There is a condition when this is not necessary, such as when the conduits are nonmetallic and they enter a nonmetallic enclosure, and they come up from the ground (I don't recall all the specifics, but there is an allowance for this condition which does not require the full set of parallel conductors to be in each conduit, etc.).

You said "I know electricity, I know circuitry, I know NEC code", but you have yet to show us that knowledge. You may have it, but you have not, and are not, displaying any of it here.

[Norman Ellis]

You really have no idea what is going on or what you are saying, do you?

Or, if you do, you have no idea what terms to use, how they are spelled, what they mean, and which terms should be used where, do you?

"ampers"
- You mean 'amperes'.

"EMF (electro magnetic force)"
- Typically, emf stands for 'electromotive force'.

"hurtz" - Hertz

"if you go to any hardware or electrical supply house all multi conductor cables are twisted."
- Not in the manner in which described. Go buy any (virtually any) grounded type round extension cord and the conductors have a gradual twist (more of a gradual spiral wrap), you described taking a short section of wires and twisting them together, which would indicate many turns in a short distance, i.e., you just made a "coil" in that sense, and when the current, frequency, and number of turns matches to the extent necessary (I have not worked with those aspects for over 40 years, so I will not even attempt to do the calculations). You will notice, though, that 'flat' two conductor NM cable also has a slight spiral affect of the conductors within the outer sheath.

"have you ever seen what happens when you run parrellal feeds with one phase in each conduit next to eachother? The conduits will overheat from the EMF fields becoming unbalanced, they will colide in travel producing so much friction and heat the conductors will melt and the conduits will glow red. you need the EMF to be balanced and the best way to provide that is with a twisting pattern"
- You are referring to eddy currents, which are the stray magnetic currents induced in the metal conduit due to the conductors being in separate conduits and their magnetic fields not canceling each other out. Those eddy currents are why, when parallel conductors are run, a complete set is run in each conduit and enter the metal enclosure in their respective conduits. There is a condition when this is not necessary, such as when the conduits are nonmetallic and they enter a nonmetallic enclosure, and they come up from the ground (I don't recall all the specifics, but there is an allowance for this condition which does not require the full set of parallel conductors to be in each conduit, etc.).

You said "I know electricity, I know circuitry, I know NEC code", but you have yet to show us that knowledge. You may have it, but you have not, and are not, displaying any of it here.

Ok Jerry
shielded twisted pair RED/Black in a 110V relay circuit, Normally open what color is common? do you use the ground?

on a three phase (Y) transfomer what point do you pick up the XO (neutral) and on what side is the XO bonded? what caused a floating nuetral ?

on a three phase delta transformer what phase should be used to produce a stinger leg?

how do you change rotation on a sigle phase electric motor?

what's the wiring number pattern on a 9 wire multi voltage motor for 277V

what is the required number of entries and locations to an electrical room
with a service greater than 600AMPS?

what size ground is required on a 600 amp service?

can you install an electrical panel in a bedroom/kithen/bathroom/closet/crawl space?

what is the minimum clearance required in front of a panel?

what is the max number of slimline/space saver twin pole breakers in a 100 amp 16 opening panel?

how often should you check an aluminum circuit for loose connection/derterioration?

here is a simple one what is the max voltampers allowed on a 20 amp circuit? what is the voltamper rating on a 20 amp recepticle in a parralel 10 opening circuit?

what is the minimum size conduit entry that requires a bushing?

what size pull box by cubic inch is required for a 3 conductor 300 mcm pull box?

are you required to ground a fiber box if it contains a junction?

what is the mili amp indifference from hot to neutral to cause a GFI recept to trip?

what is the minimum depth for rigid conduit on an underground run?

What schedule PVC is required for underground runs?

can you use PVC in an elevator shaft?

can flex tubing be used on exterior runs?

what is the max length on 120v run before voltage drop is figured?

what is the minimal ohms required on a ground electrode before alternate means will be required?

all these are in the NEC code book but yet if you want a job done right or done safe than you ask will these factors effect the finished product? wil it provide a safe power source to my client. will my client alter this service during occupency of the building?

miss spelling an electrical term doesn't mean squat but maybe i did better with science and math as a kid.

[H.G. Watson, Sr.]

"Hurtz" is what the loan shark's collector puts on you when you don't pony up the vig!. :D

[Bill Kriegh]

Ok Jerry
shielded twisted pair RED/Black in a 110V relay circuit, Normally open what color is common? do you use the ground?

on a three phase (Y) transfomer what point do you pick up the XO (neutral) and on what side is the XO bonded? what caused a floating nuetral ?

on a three phase delta transformer what phase should be used to produce a stinger leg?

how do you change rotation on a sigle phase electric motor?

what's the wiring number pattern on a 9 wire multi voltage motor for 277V

what is the required number of entries and locations to an electrical room
with a service greater than 600AMPS?

what size ground is required on a 600 amp service?

can you install an electrical panel in a bedroom/kithen/bathroom/closet/crawl space?

what is the minimum clearance required in front of a panel?

what is the max number of slimline/space saver twin pole breakers in a 100 amp 16 opening panel?

how often should you check an aluminum circuit for loose connection/derterioration?

here is a simple one what is the max voltampers allowed on a 20 amp circuit? what is the voltamper rating on a 20 amp recepticle in a parralel 10 opening circuit?

what is the minimum size conduit entry that requires a bushing?

what size pull box by cubic inch is required for a 3 conductor 300 mcm pull box?

are you required to ground a fiber box if it contains a junction?

what is the mili amp indifference from hot to neutral to cause a GFI recept to trip?

what is the minimum depth for rigid conduit on an underground run?

What schedule PVC is required for underground runs?

can you use PVC in an elevator shaft?

can flex tubing be used on exterior runs?

what is the max length on 120v run before voltage drop is figured?

what is the minimal ohms required on a ground electrode before alternate means will be required?

all these are in the NEC code book but yet if you want a job done right or done safe than you ask will these factors effect the finished product? wil it provide a safe power source to my client. will my client alter this service during occupency of the building?

miss spelling an electrical term doesn't mean squat but maybe i did better with science and math as a kid.

Maybe you ought to just quit while you're ahead. There are multiple answers to several of your questions. The situations they are applied in determines a lot more about what you know than the fact you know how to find one answer, as does the fact you know more than one answer exists in some cases.

[Jim Port]

bold?? no bold is thinking a book can make you an expert or even qualified to do the work.


I would say it is bold to brag about all the experience and knowledge one has when simple terminology seems to confuse them. If you can't understand the basics I don't hold much hope for the complex items. You are putting yourself out as a subject matter expert yet haven't seemed to be able to back it up.


miss spelling an electrical term doesn't mean squat but maybe i did better with science and math as a kid.

You may say it doesn't mean squat, but it sure does influence peoples perception of the knowledge and capability of a person. What would you think of a resume with misspelled words or poor grammar?

Many of your questions are so poorly worded even a knowledgeable person could not answer them.

Here are a random sampling:

what is the minimum size conduit entry that requires a bushing? Bushing or lack thereof is not based on conduit size, but conductor size.

what size pull box by cubic inch is required for a 3 conductor 300 mcm pull box? Is this a straight pull or a 90 pull? What size conduit is used?

what is the minimum depth for rigid conduit on an underground run? Anywhere from 0 to 24", depends on the location

what is the max number of slimline/space saver twin pole breakers in a 100 amp 16 opening panel? Somewhere between 0 and 8

here is a simple one what is the max voltampers allowed on a 20 amp circuit? Cord and plug connected or hardwired? Dedicated or not? Continuous or not?

[Norman Ellis]

Maybe you ought to just quit while you're ahead. There are multiple answers to several of your questions. The situations they are applied in determines a lot more about what you know than the fact you know how to find one answer, as does the fact you know more than one answer exists in some cases.

that was my point from the beginning! the panel wiring has potential to be a fire hazard! working with potential kenetic energy when not properly cconfined to its designated path you have potential of exposure to conductive/combustible materials that can produce unsafe conditions or cause a fire. is that basic and simple enough?

when you have variables in a service it increases the odds to producing a problem, types of materials used, installation requirements, quality of installation reduce these variables and provide a safer power source for your client.

The XO is landed from the secondary side on which it is produced!

the neutral is produced from the end of (Y) transformer coils

a floating neutral has POTENTIAL to inact as a hot if not bonded(bonding eliminated a floating neutral)

you can not ground a fiber box

3-5-7 tie together, 4-6-8 tie together 1 is neutral 9 is hot for a 277V motor circuit

180 voltampers is the count on a recept on a multi opening circuit of 10

any service over 600 amps requires 2 entries at opisite ends of the gear

the black wire is common on a twisted pair cable, ground is normally not applied

you can use flex tubing on an exterior run as long as it contains a drip loop

a pull box of no less than 24"x24"X6" =3465Cu" would provide proper bend raidious and storage of 3 300 mcm conductor wire pull

no more than 6 space saver twin breakers can be installed on a 100 amp 16 opening panel (breaker amp count should not be more than 125% per phase of panel total rating)

here is a trick of the trade on a ground electrode ohms test, wet down the area the night before testing and I promise it will pass

you can not install panels in closets/bedrooms/bathrooms/kitchens/crawl spaces or within 6' of running water

.02 miliamps is the tripping level on a GFI recept

and you still can not use a bare ground as return/grounded conductor on a circuit

i argue all the time about proper installation on a 4 wire recept such as for a dryer or cooking range, if an older panel has no ground electrode conductor on the neutral bar because the nuetral carries ground out to the meter before going to ground the neutral bar is not properly bonded for that type of installation, How can the ground provide proper protection for that recept terminated at the neutral bar in a main panel?

[Jim Port]

Maybe you ought to just quit while you're ahead. There are multiple answers to several of your questions. The situations they are applied in determines a lot more about what you know than the fact you know how to find one answer, as does the fact you know more than one answer exists in some cases.

I was going to say the same thing, but decided to point out some of the poorly worded questions and some possible answers. I only see asking these questions as a diversionary tactic to overcome the lack of knowledge displayed in some of the previous postings.

[Roger Frazee]

that was my point from the beginning! the panel wiring has potential to be a fire hazard!

Every panel on the planet has potential to be a fire hazard. I do not see anything with the panel in this thread that is going to be a fire hazard. That does not mean there are not issues that are incorrect ... however the house is not going to burn down unless someone can give me details proving otherwise.

I have absolutely no idea what your point is ... all I see is someone that has a desperate need to have approval.... In psychology it's called 'need for approval' usually a result of inferiority complexes and is very obvious to recognize in your posts with the need to toot your own horn so much.

[Norman Ellis]

Every panel on the planet has potential to be a fire hazard. I do not see anything with the panel in this thread that is going to be a fire hazard. That does not mean there are not issues that are incorrect ... however the house is not going to burn down unless someone can give me details proving otherwise.

I have absolutely no idea what your point is ... all I see is someone that has a desperate need to have approval.... In psychology it's called 'need for approval' usually a result of inferiority complexes and is very obvious to recognize in your posts with the need to toot your own horn so much.

I'm not tooting my own horn, no more than jerry would be. if any thing i'm over protective to potential hazards. and the worse part about that is no one else sees this issue with how electricity is provided to their clients, what potential is for them after they move in and develop their electrical environment, creating problems, causing loss of property, and even worse loss of lives of their loved ones.

electricity has been around for over one hundred years it has become too easly obtained/accessible by the occupent. you see homes with multiple types of wire running to the service, yet most inspectors will not give it a second glance. how many homes have you inspected with aluminum wiring and passed it without checking all connections or splices for tightness?
how many homes have you passed inspection on without checking the ampload or for a balanced load at the panel?

how many homes have you passed inspection on with multiple types of breakers in a panel?

how many homes have you passed inspection on with fuse boxes converted to junction boxes with the old wiring still in use?

how many homes have you passed inspection on with a so called panel upgrade with existing circuit not being tested for deterioration level on the wiring?

how many homes have you passed inspection on with stablock devices still in use ?

how many homes have passed inspection on with a Federal pacific panel in use?

this is just a small number of caused to electrical fires in the residential region.

deterioration/faulty devices/overloaded circuits is main cause to fires in homes over 40 years old. but hey you made your money, who cares the home owner probebly caused the fire.

well the electrical environment is only as safe as the electrcal service that provides that power. potential kenetic energy senses no difference in the path it takes, no conductor/equipment is immune to deterioration and the worse part about that90% of it is hidden from view so out of sight out of mind. it work its fine.

NEC code only helps reduce these factors, but yet when codes change, materials are found defective the home owner is left with these items in their home's electrical service. and most of these changes are not found BECAUSE???? they are hidden from view at time of an inspection on an older home.

so am I tooting my own horn??? I don't think so, my reasoning is to open others eyes to potential problems normally missed or passed over as minimal.

[Jim Port]

no more than 6 space saver twin breakers can be installed on a 100 amp 16 opening panel (breaker amp count should not be more than 125% per phase of panel total rating)

Wrong, not all panels are listed for use with tandems.




here is a trick of the trade on a ground electrode ohms test, wet down the area the night before testing and I promise it will pass

You make posts where you say how safety conscious you are and how cautious people need to be around electric, but here you are telling people how to attempt to circumvent the rules? WTH? There are probably many soil types where even wetting the soil would not get you below 25 ohms. Given the cost of both the testing equipment and the time to test and show the inspector it is easier and more cost effective to drive a second rod and be done with it.




you can not install panels in closets/bedrooms/bathrooms/kitchens/crawl spaces or within 6' of running water

Show us the code prohibitions against panels in kitchens, bedrooms or within 6' of running water.

Electrical panels are commonly installed in closets especially in commercial work. The prohibition is they cannot be near easily ignited materials and the workspace requirements are needed.



.02 miliamps is the tripping level on a GFI recept

Wrong again, the Class A GFI trip level is 4-6 mA.




i argue all the time about proper installation on a 4 wire recept such as for a dryer or cooking range, if an older panel has no ground electrode conductor on the neutral bar because the nuetral carries ground out to the meter before going to ground the neutral bar is not properly bonded for that type of installation, How can the ground provide proper protection for that recept terminated at the neutral bar in a main panel?

The return current is not going to ground. It is going to its' source, ie the transformer. The range circuit would not have a ground electrode conductor. Grounding electrode conductors go from the panel to an electrode like a rod or plate as was pointed out above. You are confusing GEC's with EGC's. Same letters, different order, but a world of difference in function. To borrow someone elses words, differences with a distinction.

[Jim Port]

I'll say it again a non insulated conductor (ground) can not be a safe source to close path on a circuit.

Have you looked at a piece of SE cable with its bare neutral? What about the bare neutral in a piece of aerial triplex? Does this conductor complete the path back to the transformer?

[Roger Frazee]

Like I said you are in desperate need to seek approval and again what the heck is your point with all the FAQ ? FWIW you would have a difficult time passing license testing for an electrician yet alone a home inspector with all the inacurracies in your answers but again some of this is due to your misunderstanding of terms and how electricity returns in a residential 3 wire system. For example you would never say terminate your neutral connection to the end of the Y coils as the neutral does not connect to the 'end' of anything. If it did you would have a phase conductor at line voltage. However I think I know what you mean and it may look that way in a configuration picture but it is really called the 'midpoint' or 'neutral point' of the system.

What really is confusing me with your explanations is the continued referral to the return of current to earth via the grounding electrode conductor ..ie..you said something like the neutral carries the ground to the meter before it goes to earth (ground) ? I'm not following ???

I think what I should do is ask you to explain why a circuit breaker will trip when a fault to ground occurs in a residential system of 3 wire 120/240 service. Explain the flow of fault current and that should clear things up for us.

[Jim Port]

if you go to any hardware or electrical supply house all multi conductor cables are twisted.



I would hardly say all. I would call a xx-2 NM a multi-conductor cable and it is flat with no twisting of the conductors under the sheath. Even most xx-3 seems to be just the 4 conductors under the sheath without a defined twist pattern. Type UF cable is also flat, including the xx-3 variety. SER cable has the conductors laying parallel, although there can be a slight twist under the sheath. Type MC and Type AC cables don't exhibit any more twisting than xx-3 Type NM.

In fact, the one wiring method that has what I would call a defined twisting is CAT5 phone wire.

[Donald Farrell]

Twisting pairs is not done f\or power cables.

Twisted pair is used for audio and low voltage control cables. The twist is used to defeat noise.

[Norman Ellis]

Have you looked at a piece of SE cable with its bare neutral? What about the bare neutral in a piece of aerial triplex? Does this conductor complete the path back to the transformer?
you are compairing ambiant air to free air, free air is allowed higher amp count and has exceptions to point of service inlet and the neutral is actually the carrier/trans cable.

[Norman Ellis]

Twisting pairs is not done f\or power cables.

Twisted pair is used for audio and low voltage control cables. The twist is used to defeat noise.
yes the twist is required to be carried to no more than 1/2" from terminations (the less straight area the better) on cat 5 or newer. but the twist reduces hertz differance through travel, addressable devices require a clean defined hertz level for control demands from the control module.

[Jim Port]

Originally Posted by Jim Port
Have you looked at a piece of SE cable with its bare neutral? What about the bare neutral in a piece of aerial triplex? Does this conductor complete the path back to the transformer?


you are compairing ambiant air to free air, free air is allowed higher amp count and has exceptions to point of service inlet and the neutral is actually the carrier/trans cable.

This is not about ampacity. You said that you could not have a bare conductor complete the circuit. I was pointing out that neutrals in SE cable are bare and are an integral part of the circuit.

[Norman Ellis]

Like I said you are in desperate need to seek approval and again what the heck is your point with all the FAQ ? FWIW you would have a difficult time passing license testing for an electrician yet alone a home inspector with all the inacurracies in your answers but again some of this is due to your misunderstanding of terms and how electricity returns in a residential 3 wire system. For example you would never say terminate your neutral connection to the end of the Y coils as the neutral does not connect to the 'end' of anything. If it did you would have a phase conductor at line voltage. However I think I know what you mean and it may look that way in a configuration picture but it is really called the 'midpoint' or 'neutral point' of the system.

What really is confusing me with your explanations is the continued referral to the return of current to earth via the grounding electrode conductor ..ie..you said something like the neutral carries the ground to the meter before it goes to earth (ground) ? I'm not following ???

I think what I should do is ask you to explain why a circuit breaker will trip when a fault to ground occurs in a residential system of 3 wire 120/240 service. Explain the flow of fault current and that should clear things up for us.
Fault
surge/disruption/dead short in a circuit SHOULD cause a fuse to blow or a breaker to trip.

Surge
A sudden/abrupt increase of voltage/currant

disruption
voltage drop/detected break to normal path/flow of electricity

Dead Short
a/c or d/c source takes direct contact to ground

OK the older service has the ground electrode landed at the meter neutral bar making the neutral carry ground electrode path from the main panel to earths ground, so even if the dryer recepticle is wired as a four wire it only provides 3 (ground and neutral are parallel not grounded conductor plus ground protection) most all electrical background people will disagree that the neutral will carry ground, but think back at the transformer were the neutral is created the purpose of ground is to prevent a floating neutral (on a/c power source) or the neutral can become a power source. thus it is a grounded conductor to complete/close path of a circuit, it is not ground nor should it be used as ground to protect against surge/fault to the earth ground electrode.

[Jerry Peck]

Fault
surge/disruption/dead short in a circuit SHOULD cause a fuse to blow or a breaker to trip.

Incorrect.

The fault could be a minor fault, like what trips a GFCI protective device, and there is no way that it will blow a fuse or trip a breaker.


Surge
A sudden/abrupt increase of voltage/currant

Except that "currant" is "current"


disruption
voltage drop/detected break to normal path/flow of electricity

I can go with that.


Dead Short
a/c or d/c source takes direct contact to ground

No, that would be a *ground*"fault".

A "short" is a direct/indirect contact between hot and neutral or two hot conductors, i.e., the "circuit" is "shorted" out - which simply means that the circuit is shortened to being from the supply to the "short", and a full and direct "short" will then effectively 'shorten' the circuit such that anything beyond the "short" is effectively no longer in the circuit.

Let's say that you have a string of 20 lamps and there is a "short" between the hot and neutral after the 3rd lamp, the circuit no longer contains the other 17 lamps, the circuit has been shorted to only the first 3 lamps (the circuit has been 'shortened', if you will, that the circuit now only contains the lamps between the supply and the "short").


OK the older service has the ground electrode landed at the meter neutral bar making the neutral carry ground electrode path from the main panel to earths ground, so even if the dryer recepticle is wired as a four wire it only provides 3 (ground and neutral are parallel not grounded conductor plus ground protection) most all electrical background people will disagree that the neutral will carry ground, but think back at the transformer were the neutral is created the purpose of ground is to prevent a floating neutral (on a/c power source) or the neutral can become a power source. thus it is a grounded conductor to complete/close path of a circuit, it is not ground nor should it be used as ground to protect against surge/fault to the earth ground electrode.

Too many errors in the above to pick them apart.

[Larry Morrison]

Is this really what I am seeing? You are correct this is a mess.

[Jerry Peck]

Is this really what I am seeing? You are correct this is a mess.

Nope, not what you are seeing.

You crossed from one white wire to another at the bottom of your line and then went back up the other white wire.

[Derek Guridi]

Jim,

I am beginning to think he may be so clueless that he did not even understand what you were pointing out ... that, to him, what he posted and you quoted still sounds correct. :eek:

Jim, Bill, you didn't know that the GEC (grounding electrode conductor) is supposed to be run with the circuit conductors? What is wrong with you two ... and me ... I didn't know that either ... ;)

GEC (grounding electrode conductor)
EGC (equipment grounding conductor
CEG (circuit envelope grounding ... okay, I made that one up:) )
... What's the diff? They all have "grounding" in there someplace, don't they? :D

You owe me a key board, I laughed so hard I spit coffee into mine.:D


Maybe you ought to just quit while you're ahead. There are multiple answers to several of your questions. The situations they are applied in determines a lot more about what you know than the fact you know how to find one answer, as does the fact you know more than one answer exists in some cases.

Agreed.

[Derek Guridi]

You might want to review the NEC Article 100 definitions.

Grounding Electrode. A conducting object through which
a direct connection to earth is established.

Grounding Electrode Conductor. A conductor used to
connect the system grounded conductor or the equipment to
a grounding electrode or to a point on the grounding electrode
system.

You are referring to an EGC, not a GEC.

Grounding Conductor, Equipment (EGC). The conductive
path(s) installed to connect normally non–current-carrying
metal parts of equipment together and to the system grounded
conductor or to the grounding electrode conductor, or both.




With all that experience, including 10 years in the IBEW, and you still get common terms confused? :confused:




Rather bold don't you think considering the above?

Excellent post.

[Norman Ellis]

Excellent post.
have any of you worked on an electrical service from the service drop to a transformer to the main ditribution panel? Have you ever been ark flashed landing a ground to the neutral bar from following a persons work that never landed the ground to the XO at the transformer?

well I have, it was hot enough to blow an extra hole in the nuetral bar!

that is the potential of a flaoting neutral! and why I will always say the grounded condutor(nuetral) should not be the primary source to ground or the ground electrode. if the nuetral bar was grounded the nuetral would have been grounded and I wouldn't had metal drilled out of my eye.

never asume what you can't see.

NEC is minimul requirements, and when errors are found such as the alloy count on older aluminum wire, stab back/lock connectors producing higher resistance at contact points, or types of equipment that has been removed from production such as federal pacific panels( how many of those have you passed without telling the client they have been proven to not work properly, enough for the federal government to shut them down) these items or installation technics are never fixed or replaced, they are left for the owners to find out, some are found the hard way.

how many of you that inspect a home with alminum wire note an annual inspection on that service for maintaining the circuits and connections? thats in the NEC code book!

how many of you recomend a lightning arrester for metal roofs? they not required unless listed by state, BUT!!! they help reduce the conductive indifferance of a metal field to earth ground of the surrounding area.

speaking of lightning, homes on wells, do you check the tank (if metal) for ground? if the home is ran in a flex pvc/poly tube or none conductive material (except at the water heater for bond jumper if installed) what protects the plumbing from an electrical surge? copper has gotten expensive a lot of older homes have breaks in the copper lines from remodels and no bond jumper will be installed in that line.

HOW ABOUT THIS!! 1 in 7 families will be effected by an electrical malfunction this year, some will even lose loved ones from electricity. thats right over 450,000 homes will fave some form of an electrical malfuntion.

and I guarantee none will be from my work, can you guarantee none of your homes inspected by you haven't or won't have an electrical fire or malfuntion that will injur or kill a client?

so yes I will argue a 4 wire recept installed on an older service (Especially on an SE cable) would not provide proper protection of that circuit.

and yes a white wire landed under a breaker still needs to have an ELECTRICIAN ckeck those circuits.

[Derek Guridi]

have any of you worked on an electrical service from the service drop to a transformer to the main ditribution panel? Have you ever been ark flashed landing a ground to the neutral bar from following a persons work that never landed the ground to the XO at the transformer?

well I have, it was hot enough to blow an extra hole in the nuetral bar!

that is the potential of a flaoting neutral! and why I will always say the grounded condutor(nuetral) should not be the primary source to ground or the ground electrode. if the nuetral bar was grounded the nuetral would have been grounded and I wouldn't had metal drilled out of my eye.

never asume what you can't see.

NEC is minimul requirements, and when errors are found such as the alloy count on older aluminum wire, stab back/lock connectors producing higher resistance at contact points, or types of equipment that has been removed from production such as federal pacific panels( how many of those have you passed without telling the client they have been proven to not work properly, enough for the federal government to shut them down) these items or installation technics are never fixed or replaced, they are left for the owners to find out, some are found the hard way.

how many of you that inspect a home with alminum wire note an annual inspection on that service for maintaining the circuits and connections? thats in the NEC code book!

how many of you recomend a lightning arrester for metal roofs? they not required unless listed by state, BUT!!! they help reduce the conductive indifferance of a metal field to earth ground of the surrounding area.

speaking of lightning, homes on wells, do you check the tank (if metal) for ground? if the home is ran in a flex pvc/poly tube or none conductive material (except at the water heater for bond jumper if installed) what protects the plumbing from an electrical surge? copper has gotten expensive a lot of older homes have breaks in the copper lines from remodels and no bond jumper will be installed in that line.

HOW ABOUT THIS!! 1 in 7 families will be effected by an electrical malfunction this year, some will even lose loved ones from electricity. thats right over 450,000 homes will fave some form of an electrical malfuntion.

and I guarantee none will be from my work, can you guarantee none of your homes inspected by you haven't or won't have an electrical fire or malfuntion that will injur or kill a client?

so yes I will argue a 4 wire recept installed on an older service (Especially on an SE cable) would not provide proper protection of that circuit.

and yes a white wire landed under a breaker still needs to have an ELECTRICIAN ckeck those circuits.

I am tired, so I will work through your bad grammar,capitalization, and punctuation tomorrow. Illiteracy is a pain to read at 2:45 AM.:rolleyes:

[Norman Ellis]

Wrong, not all panels are listed for use with tandems.




You make posts where you say how safety conscious you are and how cautious people need to be around electric, but here you are telling people how to attempt to circumvent the rules? WTH? There are probably many soil types where even wetting the soil would not get you below 25 ohms. Given the cost of both the testing equipment and the time to test and show the inspector it is easier and more cost effective to drive a second rod and be done with it.




Show us the code prohibitions against panels in kitchens, bedrooms or within 6' of running water.

Electrical panels are commonly installed in closets especially in commercial work. The prohibition is they cannot be near easily ignited materials and the workspace requirements are needed.



Wrong again, the Class A GFI trip level is 4-6 mA.




The return current is not going to ground. It is going to its' source, ie the transformer. The range circuit would not have a ground electrode conductor. Grounding electrode conductors go from the panel to an electrode like a rod or plate as was pointed out above. You are confusing GEC's with EGC's. Same letters, different order, but a world of difference in function. To borrow someone elses words, differences with a distinction.

OK! if the return current is going to the transformer, than it is the grounded conductor not the ground (by the way in theory the current and nuetral should zero out at point of use). so how can a 4 wire recept landed in a main distribution panel with no GEC landed on the neutral bar be properly protected? the recept is installed with intention of the ground and neutral containing the ability of seperate paths. One to close or carry return path of energy, the other to take path in case of a malfunction or path is interrupted by a conductive or non grounded source to earths ground.

[Derek Guridi]

OK! if the return current is going to the transformer, than it is the grounded conductor not the ground (by the way in theory the current and nuetral should zero out at point of use). so how can a 4 wire recept landed in a main distribution panel with no GEC landed on the neutral bar be properly protected? the recept is installed with intention of the ground and neutral containing the ability of seperate paths. One to close or carry return path of energy, the other to take path in case of a malfunction or path is interrupted by a conductive or non grounded source to earths ground.

Are saying the earth/dirt GEC/electrode can clear a fault?

[Norman Ellis]

Are saying the earth/dirt GEC/electrode can clear a fault?
NO!!! I'm saying it takes the energy to earth, A fault or trip will disrupted electrical flow, but the unused energy has to go some where!, that is why you have the ground electrode and grounded circuits tied into the earth.

what was the main purpose of developing the 4 wire recepticle? SO THE NUETRAL WAS NOT GROUND SOURCE TO APPLIANCES

if you see a metal cover on a recept do you check to see if the box is plastic or metal? using a metal cover on a plastic box or ungrounded box has potential to expose electrical energy to the occupent. think about it!! the hot wire makes contact to a conductive source and the person leaning on an appliance with a live conductor in use will get shocked when they touch the cover if not grounded.

[Derek Guridi]

NO!!! I'm saying it takes the energy to earth, A fault or trip will disrupted electrical flow, but the unused energy has to go some where!, that is why you have the ground electrode and grounded circuits tied into the earth.

what was the main purpose of developing the 4 wire recepticle? SO THE NUETRAL WAS NOT GROUND SOURCE TO APPLIANCES

if you see a metal cover on a recept do you check to see if the box is plastic or metal? using a metal cover on a plastic box or ungrounded box has potential to expose electrical energy to the occupent. think about it!! the hot wire makes contact to a conductive source and the person leaning on an appliance with a live conductor in use will get shocked when they touch the cover if not grounded.

Pay attention: V= I x R
Average R for a GES = 100+ ohms
I = V/R
I = 120v/100 ohms
I =1.2 amps
You need between 5 and 6 ohms for a GES for a 20 amp breaker to trip at 120 volts.

You are clueless. :eek:

[Jim Port]

NO!!! I'm saying it takes the energy to earth, A fault or trip will disrupted electrical flow, but the unused energy has to go some where!, that is why you have the ground electrode and grounded circuits tied into the earth.

Again you are continuing to confuse the difference between a GEC and an EGC. Read what the NEC says the purpose of the GEC system is intended for. What do you think the purpose of the bond screw or strap is? The fault current needs to get back to its source, not the earth.

(1) Electrical System Grounding. Electrical systems that
are grounded shall be connected to earth in a manner that
will limit the voltage imposed by lightning, line surges, or
unintentional contact with higher-voltage lines and that will
stabilize the voltage to earth during normal operation.

Do you realize that a breaker will trip if there is a short to the EGC or neutral and there is no rod? Have you done the math that Derek asked for?

(5) Effective Ground-Fault Current Path. Electrical equipment
and wiring and other electrically conductive material
likely to become energized shall be installed in a manner that
creates a low-impedance circuit facilitating the operation of
the overcurrent device or ground detector for high-impedance
grounded systems. It shall be capable of safely carrying the
maximum ground-fault current likely to be imposed on it from
any point on the wiring system where a ground fault may
occur to the electrical supply source. The earth shall not be
considered as an effective ground-fault current path.

[Jim Port]

have any of you worked on an electrical service from the service drop to a transformer to the main ditribution panel? Have you ever been ark flashed landing a ground to the neutral bar from following a persons work that never landed the ground to the XO at the transformer?

well I have, it was hot enough to blow an extra hole in the nuetral bar!

Why were you working on energized electrical equipment?




how many of you that inspect a home with alminum wire note an annual inspection on that service for maintaining the circuits and connections? thats in the NEC code book!

Can you site this requirement?



speaking of lightning, homes on wells, do you check the tank (if metal) for ground? if the home is ran in a flex pvc/poly tube or none conductive material (except at the water heater for bond jumper if installed) what protects the plumbing from an electrical surge?

How is an isolated tank becoming energized?



and I guarantee none will be from my work, can you guarantee none of your homes inspected by you haven't or won't have an electrical fire or malfuntion that will injur or kill a client?

Given the lack of understanding of electrical systems that might be a hard claim to backup.


so yes I will argue a 4 wire recept installed on an older service (Especially on an SE cable) would not provide proper protection of that circuit.

Why would a service fed with SE lack anything needed and how would it affect a 4 wire receptacle? Remember that breakers will trip without a grounding electrode. Or are you confusing the service with a 3 wire branch circuit fed with SE cable?

[Norman Ellis]

Pay attention: V= I x R
Average R for a GES = 100+ ohms
I = V/R
I = 120v/100 ohms
I =1.2 amps
You need between 5 and 6 ohms for a GES for a 20 amp breaker to trip at 120 volts.

You are clueless. :eek:
were did I say amps/ohms/ or even voltage??? I said path interuption,fault, trip. But ok the only reason the neutral has a lower resistance is from the path of voltage, ground is a dead wire. so voltage is lost were is the resistance level than on that branch circuit neutral? in theory all unused power will travel back to the nuetral bar by path in circuit under normal use(while having voltage) but not when it is disrupted/intercepted pass the point of demand, nor will it cause the circuit to fault, that is why the ground can be used to close/complete/produce usible electricity with earths ground, you charge the ground with voltage the resistance is equal to a neutral.

take a light socket, pig tail it with the hot landed to 120V power leg, than touch the neutral wire to earth the bulb will light!

the reason I even mention the ground "IS" the ground wire's live with voltage and there goes your 5<6 ohms to trip the breaker, but it carrys current and is exposed to contact through the length of that circuit.

[Derek Guridi]

were did I say amps/ohms/ or even voltage??? I said path interuption,fault, trip. But ok the only reason the neutral has a lower resistance is from the path of voltage, ground is a dead wire. so voltage is lost were is the resistance level than on that branch circuit neutral? in theory all unused power will travel back to the nuetral bar by path in circuit under normal use(while having voltage) but not when it is disrupted/intercepted pass the point of demand, nor will it cause the circuit to fault, that is why the ground can be used to close/complete/produce usible electricity with earths ground, you charge the ground with voltage the resistance is equal to a neutral.

take a light socket, pig tail it with the hot landed to 120V power leg, than touch the neutral wire to earth the bulb will light!

the reason I even mention the ground "IS" the ground wire's live with voltage and there goes your 5<6 ohms to trip the breaker, but it carrys current and is exposed to contact through the length of that circuit.

Norman, I copied the following info from post 36 of this thread from another forum I belong to. You really need to read the following info and absorb it

Frequently Asked 2005 NEC Questions - Page 4 (http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=83435&p=656116#post656116)

Grounding Vs. Bonding
The Big Picture

What is “grounding”? What is “bonding”? What’s the difference?Grounding and bonding is probably the most discussed issue here, aside from 210.52’s design requirements.

The terms are defined in Article 100 and 250.2 of the NEC. Section 250.4 provides the performance requirements of Article 250. Grounding is a connection to earth, and bonding is the connection of items to each other.

Bonding is crucial inside a structure, because without it, if something goes wrong and an ungrounded conductor comes in contact with a piece of metal that someone can touch, that someone will receive a shock and potentially be electrocuted due to the uncleared fault. A quick and dirty definition for bonding is connecting electrical devices together in the attempt to trip a breaker, if an ungrounded conductor touches surface metal associated with the system.

What does the earth have to do with this? Nothing.

Then why is it called an “Equipment Grounding Conductor (EGC)” in the NEC if it’s primary purpose is to “bond” things together? Simple answer: tradition. It’s always been called that, and the terms in the NEC have served to confuse people for a long time. Proposals have been made to change the term, and progress has been made, but the EGC continues to hold it’s misnomer.

Electricity does not seek the path of least resistance to the earth. It seeks all available paths back to it’s source, in proportion to their resistance. The reason that a person gets shocked when touching an ungrounded conductor and the earth is because the neutral of the system is repeatedly connected to earth in a grounded electrical system. The earth becomes part of a return path to the transformer – it’s part of one route back to the source; the earth is not the destination for the electricity.

Driving a ground rod to ‘ground’ any electrical equipment does not provide the low-resistance path required to trip breakers. Driving a ground rod, or using a Ufer, or a metal water pipe is not a substitute for an EGC. A ground rod with 25 ohms to earth will allow almost five amps to escape the system into the earth when directly energized from a 120V source. Five amps will never trip a 15A or 20A breaker, and in the meantime everything bonded to this ground rod will be energized to 120V.



Bob Ludecke (http://forums.mikeholt.com/member.php?u=67078) has created a powerpoint presentation under the 2002 cycle, and has granted permission for a link to be posted for download. Chris Knight (http://forums.mikeholt.com/member.php?u=82837) has graciously provided a site for downloading the presentation:
Bob Ludecke's Grounding Presentation (http://www.tirebiter.net/downloads/ludecke.html)


Thanks to both Chris and Bob for their help on this very important topic! http://forums.mikeholt.com/images/smilies/smile.gif


http://www.mikeholt.com/graphics/touch.gif
http://www.mikeholt.com/graphics/touch2.gif
http://www.mikeholt.com/onlinetraini...16665767_2.gif (http://www.mikeholt.com/onlinetraining/page_images/1016665767_2.gif)
http://www.mikeholt.com/onlinetraini...16666050_2.gif (http://www.mikeholt.com/onlinetraining/page_images/1016666050_2.gif)


If any of the items discussed here does not make sense to you, or if you disagree, please start a thread publicly or send a private message to me to discuss it privately, if you desire. It is critical that this issue be understood to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

[Norman Ellis]

Why were you working on energized electrical equipment?




Can you site this requirement?




How is an isolated tank becoming energized?

the tank is isolated from the electrical service not a lightning strike.

the water will carry the current of a lightning strike into the plumbing, why do you bond the water/plumbing? what is the first item past the inlet valve on a well system? if you bond a water heater that is past the water inlet valve but before the water heater the tank (if metal) should be bonded true it isn't required in the NEC code book but the water/plumbing system is required to be bonded.

Given the lack of understanding of electrical systems that might be a hard claim to backup.



Why would a service fed with SE lack anything needed and how would it affect a 4 wire receptacle? Remember that breakers will trip without a grounding electrode. Or are you confusing the service with a 3 wire branch circuit fed with SE cable?

I feel SE is reduced in providing a safe path for electricity. as mentioned the nuetral can be a bare conductor in SE cable, on a surface mount installation minimul damage can expose electricity, I think all service feeders should be insulated conductors. using SE on range runs is questionable on providing a safe circuit path. Disagree all you want, I have and will replace an SE cable service on any home I own, a rigid conduit riser, a secured insulater, an obvious drip loop and a fused (600V) disconnect grounded to a 5/8" 10' ground rod to reduce the chance of a energy surge from the power grid.

[Jim Port]

take a light socket, pig tail it with the hot landed to 120V power leg, than touch the neutral wire to earth the bulb will light!


I hope you don't expect anything more than a nightlight glow, if you even get that much.

Do yourself a favor and read through the link Derek just posted above. It should greatly increase your understanding of grounding, bonding and system operations.

[Jim Port]

I feel SE is reduced in providing a safe path for electricity. as mentioned the nuetral can be a bare conductor in SE cable, on a surface mount installation minimul damage can expose electricity, I think all service feeders should be insulated conductors. using SE on range runs is questionable on providing a safe circuit path. Disagree all you want, I have and will replace an SE cable service on any home I own, a rigid conduit riser, a secured insulater, an obvious drip loop and a fused (600V) disconnect grounded to a 5/8" 10' ground rod to reduce the chance of a energy surge from the power grid.

Your theory about cable damage totally ignores the Code prohibition about using that wiring method where subject to damage.

BTW, you still have not provided the code sites that have been requested. To recap, panels in kitchens, bedrooms or within 6' of running water; annual inspection of aluminum terminations. You also ignored why you would advise someone to take shortcuts by wetting the ground around a rod in order to pass inspection.

[Jim Port]

were did I say amps/ohms/ or even voltage??? I said path interuption,fault, trip. But ok the only reason the neutral has a lower resistance is from the path of voltage, ground is a dead wire. so voltage is lost were is the resistance level than on that branch circuit neutral? in theory all unused power will travel back to the nuetral bar by path in circuit under normal use(while having voltage) but not when it is disrupted/intercepted pass the point of demand, nor will it cause the circuit to fault, that is why the ground can be used to close/complete/produce usible electricity with earths ground, you charge the ground with voltage the resistance is equal to a neutral.

take a light socket, pig tail it with the hot landed to 120V power leg, than touch the neutral wire to earth the bulb will light!

the reason I even mention the ground "IS" the ground wire's live with voltage and there goes your 5<6 ohms to trip the breaker, but it carrys current and is exposed to contact through the length of that circuit.

Derek was trying to show you the math and how the rod had nothing to due with clearing a fault and tripping the breaker. There is too much resistance in the earth.

[Derek Guridi]

Forget it Jim, dude is clueless.

I am going to go argue with JP.:D

[Bill Kriegh]

I feel SE is reduced in providing a safe path for electricity. as mentioned the nuetral can be a bare conductor in SE cable, on a surface mount installation minimul damage can expose electricity, I think all service feeders should be insulated conductors. using SE on range runs is questionable on providing a safe circuit path. Disagree all you want, I have and will replace an SE cable service on any home I own, a rigid conduit riser, a secured insulater, an obvious drip loop and a fused (600V) disconnect grounded to a 5/8" 10' ground rod to reduce the chance of a energy surge from the power grid.

I was thinking 51 cards. Now I'm thinking like 43 or something........

[Steve Myers]

Where is the ungrounded "neutral" conductor from the line side?

[Jerry Peck]

Forget it Jim, dude is clueless.

I am going to go argue with JP.:D

Derek,

No argument here from me, I already pegged him as clueless a while back. :D

[Derek Guridi]

Derek,

No argument here from me, I already pegged him as clueless a while back. :D

I know, I meant the SABC thread.:)