THE GROUNDING ELECTRODE SYSTEM

Prepared by
The Southwestern Section
International Association of Electrical Inspectors
1999 Grounding and Bonding Committee
William B. Brownell, P.E., Chairman
Scott Davis Timothy Owens
Bill Dickey Jim Palma
Doug Effenberger, P.E. Chuck Leisher
Jesus Mosqueda Supot Ying
Iraj Nasrolahi, P.E.

Based on the 1999 National Electrical Code

This document is intended to illustrate typical grounding electrode systems but does not cover all
acceptable installations.

The Southwestern Section

of the

Incorporated
1928

OF

Keystone
of the
Electrical
Industry

The Purpose of the I.A.E.I.

The objective of the I.A.E.I. shall be:

• To cooperate in the formulation of standards for the safe installation and use of electrical materials, devices, and
appliances.
• To promote the uniform understanding and application of the National Electric Code and other electrical codes.
• To promote cooperation between inspectors, the electrical industry, and the public.
• To collect and disseminate information relative to the safe use of electricity.
• To represent the electrical inspectors in all matters which are dealt with nationally and internationally by the electric
industry.
• To cooperate with other national and international organizations in furthering the development of the electric
industry.

Prepared by EDBL Publications

Southern California Edison, 626.237.0646
4930 N. Earle Ave., Rosemead, CA 91770
ges.fm, 991013.1143
THE PURPOSE OF SERVICE GROUNDING
• The purpose of grounding specific conductors of systems are to:
• Limit voltages due to lightning.
• Limit voltages due to line surges.
• Limit voltages due to unintentional contact with higher voltage lines.
• Stabilize the voltage to ground during normal operation.
• Establish a low impedance path for proper overcurrent device operation.
• Limit voltage to ground on conductive materials enclosing electrical equipment.

250-20: REQUIREMENTS FOR GROUNDING ALTERNATING–CURRENT SYSTEMS OF 50 VOLTS TO 1,000 VOLTS

AC systems supplying premises wiring and premises wiring systems shall be grounded under any of the following con-
ditions.

120V 120V
120V 120V
120V

(b) (1) 120V

120V, 1Ø 2W 120/240V, 1Ø 3W 208Y/120V, 3Ø 4W

The neutrals must be grounded because the maximum voltage to ground from any ungrounded conductor does not
exceed 150 volts.

120V 277V
120V 277V

(b) (2)
120V 277V

208Y/120V, 3Ø 4W 480Y/277V, 3Ø 4W
Where the system is three phase, four wire, wye connected in which the neutral is used as a circuit conductor.

B
0V
24

240V
208V
120/240V, 3Ø 4W A C
(b) (3)
120V

120V

Where the system is three phase, four wire, delta connected in which the midpoint on one phase winding is used as a cir-
cuit conductor.
CAUTION: There exists a “high leg” (208V) voltage from the B phase to ground. The B phase is only to be used in 240V 3
phase or 240V single phase applications.

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Southern California Chapter 1999 NEC
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PREMISES WIRING (SYSTEM): That interior and exterior wiring, including power, lighting, control, and signal circuit wir-
ing together with all of their associated hardware, fittings, and wiring devices, both permanently and temporarily installed,
that extends from the service point of utility conductors or source of power such as a battery, a solar photovoltaic system,
or a generator, transformer, or converter windings, to the outlet(s). Such wiring does not include wiring internal to appli-
ances, fixtures, motors, controllers, motor control centers, and similar equipment.
SERVICE: The conductors and equipment for delivering electric energy from the serving utility to the wiring system of the
premises served.
SERVICE POINT: The point of connection between the facilities of the utility and the premises wiring.
SERVICE EQUIPMENT: The necessary equipment, usually consisting of a circuit breaker(s) or switch(es) and fuse(s) and
their accessories, connected to the load end of service conductors to a building or other structure, or an otherwise desig-
nated area, and intended to constitute the main control and cutoff of the supply.

Bus insulated from enclosure

Bus bonded to enclosure

Note: Ungrounded conductors are not shown in illustrations.

250–24: GROUNDING SERVICE — SUPPLIED ALTERNATING–CURRENT SYSTEMS

Premises wiring systems that are grounded shall have at each service a grounding electrode conductor connected to a
grounding electrode. The grounding electrode conductor shall be connected to the grounded service conductor in one
of the following ways.
250-24 (a) 1: The grounding electrode conductor shall be connected to the grounded service conductor at any
accessible point from the load end of the service conductors to the busbar for terminating the grounded service conduc-
tor.
250-24 (a) 4: If there is a main bonding jumper (250-28) installed between the neutral bus and the ground bus, the
grounding electrode conductor is permitted to be connected to the ground bus.

Service Equipment OR Service Equipment

Supply End with Bonding Screw with Main Bonding Jumper
Grounded Service Service Lateral
Conductor (Neutral)
N N
Insulated Insulated
Neutral Neutral
Service Lateral Bus Bus
G G
Bonding Screw Equipment Main
(Green) or Jumper Grounding Bonding
Bus Jumper
Grounding Electrode
250-24 (a) 1 Conductor 250-24 (a) 4

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250-24 (a) 2: Where the transformer supplying the service is located outside the building, at least one additional
grounding connection shall be made from the grounded service conductor to a grounding electrode, either at the
transformer or elsewhere outside the building.
Grounded Service
Conductor (Neutral)

Additional
Grounding Electrode Grounding
Electrode

250-24 (a) 5: A grounding connection shall not be made to any grounded circuit conductor on the load side of the ser-
vice disconnecting means.

Service
Sub-Panel
N Insulated Neutral
Bus (not grounded)
N N

G G
G

250-24 (c)

The grounded conductor (neutral) must be

connected to a grounding electrode

Main Disconnect

Service Equipment Grounding Conductor

Equipment Grounded Conductor (Neutral)
N
Bonding
Screw
G
N
Grounding electrode conductors:
This Conductor shall be used to connect the:
Grounding Electrode • Equipment grounding conductor
• Service Equipment enclosure
• Grounded conductor (neutral)
To the grounding electrode or grounding electrode system.

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Southern California Chapter 1999 NEC
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250-32 (a): TWO OR MORE BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES SUPPLIED FROM A COMMON SERVICE
When a common service serves more than one building, the grounded system in each building shall have a grounding elec-
trode bonded to each building’s service equipment enclosure.
250-32 (a) Exception: If the second building has only one branch circuit, and the branch circuit includes an equipment
grounding conductor for grounding the noncurrent-carrying parts of all equipment, then the second building is not
required to have a grounding electrode.

Building 1

Building 2

N N

Insulated N N
One Branch
Neutral Circuit Only
Bus G G

Grounding G G
Electrode

250-32 (b) 1. EQUIPMENT GROUNDING CONDUCTOR

For a grounded system, an equipment grounding conductor per 250-118 shall be run with the supply conductors and con-
nected to the grounding electrode and equipment. The grounded conductor (neutral) shall not be connected to the equip-
ment grounding conductor. This method must be used when ground fault protection is installed on the common ac
service, or when there is a common metallic path between the buildings, such as piping, fire sprinklers, or water lines.

Building 1

Common Service
Building 2 Building 3

N
Insulated
Neutral
N BUS N

N G G

G G

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1999 NEC Southern California Chapter
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 TWO OR MORE BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES SUPPLIED FROM A COMMON SERVICE

250-32 (b) 2. GROUNDED CONDUCTOR

If no equipment grounding conductor is run with the supply to the building, and there is no metallic path to ground, and
no ground fault protection is installed on the supply, then the grounded circuit conductor (neutral) shall be connected to
the disconnecting means and the grounding electrode. The neutral shall be used for grounding or bonding.

Building 1

`
Building 2 Building 3

N N N

N N

250-32 (d): Disconnecting Means Located in Separate Building or Structure

For buildings served with a remote disconnecting means, an equipment grounding conductor must be run with the circuit
conductors. The bonding of the equipment grounding conductor to the grounding electrode must be made in an enclo-
sure located immediately inside or outside the building.

Remote Remote
Disconnect Disconnect
Insulated Insulated
Neutral Neutral
BUS BUS

Building Building
N N N N
Bonding Bonding
Screw Screw
G G
N N

G Enclosure G Enclosure
Immediately Immediately
Inside or Outside Inside or Outside
Building Building
G

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250-32 (e): Where livestock are housed, underground equipment grounding conductors shall be insulated. Dairy ani-
mals are sensitive to as little as one volt and will cease milk production if exposed.

Enclosure
G

Insulated or Covered Copper Grounding Electrode

Equipment Grounding Conductor

250-50 GROUNDING ELECTRODE/GROUNDING ELECTRODE SYSTEM

If available on the premises, each grounding electrode listed below and any made electrodes in accordance with 250-52
shall be bonded together to form the grounding electrode system.
1. A metal underground water pipe in contact with the earth for no less than ten feet.
2. The metal frame of a building where effectively grounded.
3. A no. 4 (1/2”) bare or galvanized rebar or a No. 4 AWG (minimum) bare copper conductor encased in no less
than two inches of concrete. The electrode must be located near the bottom of the footing. This is also called
the Ufer system.
4. A No. 2 AWG (minimum) bare copper ground ring encircling the entire building. It must never be less than
20 feet in length.
5. Any made electrodes.

1. 2. 3. 4.

Rebar or
No. 4 AWG bare copper

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1999 NEC Southern California Chapter
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If available, all the electrodes specified in 250-50 and any made electrodes per 250-52 (c) & (d) shall be bonded together
to form the grounding electrode system. Interior metal water piping located more than 5 feet from the point of
entrance to the building shall not be used as part of the grounding electrode system or as a conductor to interconnect
electrodes that are part of the grounding electrode system.

1 4

2 3

Metal Underground Ground Ring

Water Pipe

10 feet Rebar
or more
Connection must be Metal frame must be At least 20 feet of No.4 At least No.2 bare
made within 5 feet effectively grounded. rebar (½") or No.4 copper conductor. It
of point of entrance 250-50 (b) (minimum) AWG bare must encircle the
of piping. copper conductor. Rebar building and never
250-50, -(a) or conductor must be be less than 20 feet.
encased with no less 250-50 (d)
than 2" of concrete.
Epoxy coated rebar is
not acceptable as
electrode.
250-50( c)

250-50: All the grounding electrode conductors shown above are sole connections to the service equipment, therefore
the exceptions to sizing apply. Minimum sizes for copper grounding electrode conductors are:
1 No. 8 through 3/0. Use Table 250-66 for sizing.
2 No. 8 through 3/0. Use Table 250-66 for sizing.
3 No. 8 through No. 4 Use Table 250-66 for sizing. It is never required to be larger than No. 4 regardless of the
size of the service conductors, 250-66 (b).
4 The sole connections never have to be larger than the ground rings, 250-66 (c).

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Southern California Chapter 1999 NEC
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250-50: In the following illustration, only (2) is the grounding electrode conductor sized per Table 250-66. Both (1) and (3)
are bonding conductors, per 250-50, sized per Table 250-66. (4) is a sole connection to the ground ring, sized per
250-66 (c).

Service
Equipment
Metal Frame
2

3
1
Metal 4
Water Pipe Rebar

Ground Ring

250-50 (a) 2:

Service Equipment

Metal Underground If ten feet of metal underground

Water Pipe water pipe is available, it must be
used as a grounding electrode;
however, it must always be
Supplemental Electrode supplemented by an additional
electrode.
or

Service Equipment

Metal Underground Note: Water pipe grounding

Water Pipe
electrode connection must be within
5 feet of point of entrance of water
Supplemental Electrodes to building, 250-50 (a).

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1999 NEC Southern California Chapter
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250-50 (c)

Service Equipment

If the rebar is available, it must

be used as an electrode.

The connection to the rebar does not have

to be accessible if encased 250-68 (a) Ex.

250-50:
If both are available, the steel frame of the building and a concrete encased rebar must both be used to form the ground-
ing electrode system.

Service
Equipment

Rebar No. 4
or larger
(½" diameter)

The metal frame of the building must be effectively grounded, 250-50 (b).
The connection of the grounding electrode conductor to the steel frame may be by exothermic welding, 250-70.
The grounding electrode conductor between the service equipment and any convenient part of the grounding electrode
system (to the first electrode) must be installed in one continuous length without a splice unless spliced by means of listed
irreversible compression connectors or exothermic welding, 250-64 (c). It must always be suitably protected against corro-
sion, 250-62.

250-50:
• The steel frame of a building may be used as a sole electrode where effectively grounded, 250-50 (b).
• The concrete encased electrode (Ufer) may be used as the sole electrode, 250-50 (c).
• The ground ring may be used as the sole electrode, 250-50 (d).
• A metal underground water pipe shall not be used as a sole electrode, 250-50 (a) 2.

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250-52: MADE AND OTHER ELECTRODES
Where none of the electrodes specified in section 250-50 is available, one or more of the electrodes specified in (b)
through (d) shall be used. The most commonly used electrode is the ground rod.

Flush with
grade
Where the grounding electrode conductor is con-
nected to made electrodes permitted in section
250-52(c) or (d), the size shall not be required to be
larger than No. 6 copper wire. 250-66 (a) It must be a
sole connection under this condition.
The connection device must be listed for direct soil
burial (250-70). It does not have to be accessible
(250-68 (a) Exception).
An eight foot ground rod must be flush or below
grade because the NEC requires at least eight feet to
Eight foot be in contact with the soil (250-52 (c) (3)).
ground rod
A standard ten foot ground rod can be used, with no
less than eight feet in contact with the soil. Any rod
projecting above the surface must be protected
against physical damage (250-52 (c) 3, 250-10).
A single electrode consisting of a rod, pipe, or plate
which does not have a resistance to ground of 25
ohms or less shall be augmented by one additional
electrode of any of the types specified in section
250-50 or 250-52. Where multiple rod, pipe, or plate
electrodes are installed to meet the requirements of
this section, they shall be not less than six feet (1.83m)
apart.
Resistance tests are not required on the supplemental
electrode.

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1999 NEC Southern California Chapter
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250-52 (c) 1, 2, and 3: ROD AND PIPE ELECTRODES
Where rock bottom is encountered, the electrode shall be driven at an oblique angle not to exceed 45 degrees from the
vertical.

Grounding Electrode
Conductor

Rod 2'-6"
-or-
45°

Rod Corrosion
be buried in a trench resistant
not less than two feet connection
six inches deep

250-52 (d) PLATE ELECTRODES

The NEC does permit made plate electrodes providing they expose no less than two square feet of surface to exterior soil.
The wording of “exterior” requires that they be buried outside of the building not under the building.

Exothermic Weld Connection

Plate electrode shall be installed

not less than 2½ ft. (762mm) below
No less than 12" x 12". This the surface of the earth.
dimension will provide one
square foot from each of the
two surfaces.

Minimum thickness: Iron or steel

¼", nonferrous metal 0.06 inch.

Aluminum electrodes shall not be

permitted, 250-52 (e).

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250-64 (d):

1,000 kcmil
Service Conductors

Steel
Frame Meter sockets are not shown

300 kcmil 3/0 No. 3

A Phase
Conductors MAIN MAIN MAIN

The Grounding Electrode Conductor B C D

may be tapped for multiple service
equipment enclosures.

A Size is 2/0 The grounding electrode conductor is based on Table 250-66 for 1,000 kcmil ser-
vice-entrance conductors.
B Size is No. 2 The grounding electrode conductor tap is based on Table 250-66 for 300 kcmil service
conductors.
C Size is No. 4 The grounding electrode conductor tap is based on Table 250-66 for 3/0 service con-
ductors.
D Size is No. 8 The grounding electrode conductor tap is based on Table 250-66 for No. 3 service

250-64 INSTALLATION AND PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GROUNDING ELECTRODE CONDUCTORS

Grounding Electrode Conductor

sized No. 4 or larger shall be
protected if exposed to severe
physical damage.

A No.6 grounding electrode

conductor that is free from physical
damage does not require raceway
250-64 (b) protection. It must be securely
fastened to the building.

A No.8 conductor shall be protected

by a raceway or cable armor. Any
metallic raceway or cable armor must
be bonded at both ends.
250-64 (b)

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1999 NEC Southern California Chapter
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