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#81164 07/16/02 12:39 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 10
R
Roller Offline OP
Member
Situation: Proposed new 120/208V 225A MB load center with an isolated ground, fed from a transformer (480V primary). Can the isolated grounding conductor be terminated at the transformer or should it be run back to the service equipment? The service switchgear is located in the same room as the proposed transformer. Is it sized the same as the equipment grounding conductor for the feeder?

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#81165 07/16/02 01:01 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,148
R
Member
It should be terminated at the main bonding jumper for the transformer secondary. The minimum size is based on the size of the OCPD on the secondary side of the transformer and Table 250.122
Don

[This message has been edited by resqcapt19 (edited 07-16-2002).]


Don(resqcapt19)
#81166 07/17/02 05:47 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 197
G
Gwz Offline
Member
Be sure to abide by 250.30(A)(1), thru (6).

Glenn

#81167 07/20/02 07:00 AM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,233
H
Member
Don,

So are you saying the grounding conductor should run from the isolating, step down transformer, main bonding jumper, to the nearest building steel? I am just trying to get this straight in my head. I see a situation like this coming up.

Caper

#81168 07/21/02 03:30 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,294
Member
Don's right.
Go to the XO terminal of the xfrmr, & no further.

#81169 07/21/02 06:01 PM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 582
R
Ron Offline
Member
Are you folks describing the general practice or a code requirement? My understanding is there is no exact code description as to how far back the isolated ground conductor must go, and it depends on specifications.
Could someone help with a reference.


Ron
#81170 07/22/02 04:22 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 10
R
Roller Offline OP
Member
I haven't seen any code requirements that the isolated ground MUST originate at a specified point. However it seems that 250.146(D) assumes that you will be running it back to the service (or APPLICABLE derived system) ground: ". . .this grounding conductor shall be permitted to pass through one or more panelboards. . .so as to terminate directly at an EGC terminal of the applicable derived system or service." Often times however, I have seen isolated ground receptacles fed from panels where the equipment ground is the pipe feeding the panel. I just wonder if that defeats the purpose.

#81171 07/22/02 05:07 PM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 582
R
Ron Offline
Member
I was interested in a reference to be sure that the requirement that I set for installations does not conflict. I always specify that an isolated ground panelboard have its equip. grounding conductor run as normal to its upstream source. The isolated equipment ground conductor gets run back to the main point of the greounding electrode system (bus bar at the water pipe, etc).


Ron
#81172 07/25/02 03:31 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 1
Broom Pusher and
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Treat the Isolated Grounding Conductor feeding the IG bus as if it was an EGC that is used for a typical subpanel - only that it lands on an isolated grounding bus and does not bond the subpanel plus subfeed conduit to the enclosure.

Alternately, the concept of how a Common Grounded Conductor is installed will make more sense in regards to how the "DESIGN INTENT" of an IG system is set up.

Using this train of thought, apply it towards a system which is straight 208Y120 from the PoCo. The EGC's will land on the Grounded Conductor's bus in the main service section of the gear, or the EGC bus will be directly bonded to the Grounded Conductor's bus. From there, it runs directly to the subpanel.

For your Isolated Transformer / SDS [480 x 208Y120], land the IG feeder to the X0 terminal, or to a bus which connects all the Grounding stuff for that Transformer's Secondary [all the EGCs plus the Grounding Electrode Conductor, along with the main bonding jumper to the X0 terminal].

This is the "Intended" method and is by far the better installation choice.

The NEC is only concerned in establishing a solid ground bond for this IG stuff, so to simply satisfy NEC minimums, one could attach the IG termination from a Receptacle directly to a Grounded 4s box - exactly the way any other Receptacle is Grounded - and pass NEC's requirements with flying colors!
That's not the DESIGN INTENTION for an IG system, though.

Also, the IG conductor size per the NEC is what's listed in 250.122 [or 250-95 1996 NEC]. Simply if the highest trip rating for an IG circuit is 30 amps [not including Voltage Drop or other derating factors], the IG conductor need not be larger than #10 cu.

Once again, DESIGN INTENTION will push more towards using a #8, a #6 and even as far as #4 for the IG subfeed conductor [going from the main grounding point to the IG bus].

This is a subject which may require you to do some information searching prior to designing the complete system.

To do it the simple way, just run a #8 cu [insulated, of course!] from the X0 terminal at the transformer, to an Isolated Grounding bus in the subpanel. If there are any branch circuits exceeding 60 amps which will use an IG, then step up to #6 cu.
For your 20 amp branch circuits, run a #12 cu IG conductor for each 20 amp circuit [dedicate it for outlets on that particular circuit]. One IG conductor will do, but shoot towards one per circuit.
Include the normal EGC's and terminate them to a typical Grounding bus in the panel, as would normally be done. Just do not re-ground the IG bus in the subpanel or elsewhere.

Good luck

Scott S.E.T.


Scott " 35 " Thompson
Just Say NO To Green Eggs And Ham!
#81173 07/25/02 01:19 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 10
R
Roller Offline OP
Member
From the secondary of the transformer, I agree with an earlier post that I have to run at least a #4 IG for 225A OCPD. Any equipment related fault will return on this path. I'll run another #4 to bond the raceway and enclosure. I'll probably start the job next week, so I'm grateful for all the responses to this topic!


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