Www Ecmweb Com Sites Ecmweb com Files Uploads 2015 01 Ecm Mini Ad 2014

Code Q&A: Grounding Electrode Guidelines

March 2, 2017

Grounding electrode conductor rules

Q. When does the Code allow the building metal structure to serve as a grounding electrode?

Find the Answer

A. Only metal in-ground support structure(s) in direct contact with the earth vertically for 10 ft or more can serve as a grounding electrode [250.52(A)(2)]. Note: Metal in‑ground support structures include, but aren’t limited to, pilings, casings, and other structural metal.

These materials are provided to us by Mike Holt Enterprises in Leesburg, Fla. To view Code training materials offered by this company, visitwww.mikeholt.com/code

About the Author

Mike Holt

Mike Holt is the owner of Mike Holt Enterprises (www.MikeHolt.com), one of the largest electrical publishers in the United States. He earned a master's degree in the Business Administration Program (MBA) from the University of Miami. He earned his reputation as a National Electrical Code (NEC) expert by working his way up through the electrical trade. Formally a construction editor for two different trade publications, Mike started his career as an apprentice electrician and eventually became a master electrician, an electrical inspector, a contractor, and an educator. Mike has taught more than 1,000 classes on 30 different electrical-related subjects — ranging from alarm installations to exam preparation and voltage drop calculations. He continues to produce seminars, videos, books, and online training for the trade as well as contribute monthly Code content to EC&M magazine.