GEC question

[ROBERT YOUNG]

During an inspection I noticed the GEC has been spliced onto by an unknown conductor to achieve a bond.
http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/attachment.php?attachmentid=33662&stc=1

Questions.
1: Is this allowed.
I thought bonding was achieved through the service equipment.

[Jim Port]

There is the bonding that can occur in a service with the bond screw or strap. Other things can be bonded to the gec like shown for something like a cable system or antenna . I don't see an issue as shown given you didn't say what was on the other end of the conductor.

[ROBERT YOUNG]

Thanks Jim.
I thought low-voltage and limited-energy systems fall into another category.

I do not know what it at the other end of the conductor leads to/from.

[Gunnar Alquist]

Is it ok to use a split-bolt with two different sized conductors?

[John Kogel]

Up in the attic, could be just for telephone or antenna, but if Robert could tell us, please, the age of the house? we could be guessing ECG for 2-prong outlets or making up some other scenarios. :D

I think grounding carries generally minimal leakage-type current except if there is a dead short, when a bit of tarnish would burn off pretty quick before the breaker blows.
But it is not right, so the connection of the small GC should be down at the ground rod to be correct, JMO. For telephone, they usually drive their own ground rod here.

[ROBERT YOUNG]

Sorry. Ops.:o

1981 detached split level.
ITE BL service equipment.
No adverse outlet/receptacle conditions. All grounded.
1: Lack of GFI receptacles, but that is common.

The service equipment was 30 feet away on the opposite/opposing rear wall.
The GEC connector was attached at the water entrance, in front of the home.

[Jerry Peck]

The GEC connector was attached at the water entrance, in front of the home.

Was the underground water line still metallic, or replaced with plastic?

If the underground water line is not metallic, that does no good.

[Jerry Peck]

Up in the attic, could be just for telephone or antenna,

It that was in the attic, could that have been for a lightning protection system and not be the GEC?


But it is not right, so the connection of the small GC should be down at the ground rod to be correct, JMO.

The connection to the GEC can be made at any point along the GEC.

}quote]For telephone, they usually drive their own ground rod here.[/QUOTE]

Then they are doing that wrong - at by the NEC, the CEC may allow that?

Telephone, cable, etc, all need to be bonded back to the GES (Grounding Electrode System, can be to the GEC, grounding electrode bonding conductor, or a grounding electrode).

Yes, they are allowed to 'drive their own ground rod', but the rod would need to meet all the requirements for a ground rod, and then that ground rod would need to be properly bonded to the grounding electrode system (as described above).

[ROBERT YOUNG]

Was the underground water line still metallic, or replaced with plastic?

If the underground water line is not metallic, that does no good.
All copper.
The water heater had PEX connections for intake and supply the side. All copper after that.
The spliced conductor at the GEC appeared to be 14 awg. Hmm...:confused:

As to your reply to John, "The connection to the GEC can be made at any point along the GEC.," and so I am clear on this, any ground connection can be introduced/spliced to the GEC?

[Jerry Peck]

The connection to the GEC can be made at any point along the GEC.," and so I am clear on this, any ground connection can be introduced/spliced to the GEC?

No.

A bonding connection can be made at any point to the grounding electrode system (unless the manufacturer or code specifically states to the effect of 'at the service equipment', then that is where the bonding connection would be made).

[ROBERT YOUNG]

Bonding connection, effectively a ground-fault current path, can be made at any point to the grounding electrode system.

Bonding is accomplished by the use of conductors, metallic raceways, connectors, couplings, metallic-sheathed cables with fittings, and other devices recognized for this purpose [250.118].

Thanks.