ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues alarm panel grounding

I asked a honeywell tech what the ground was used for and was told it was only to protect the P.C. board from damage caused by arcs as well as surges coming off of the monitoring phone lines.

Don't know about the arcs but he brings up a point I touched on in my first post. If the panel is connected to a telephone line there are surge protectors from each side to ground to protect the circuitry. Many panels have surge protection on the terminals connecting to the premises wiring also particulary if there is a possibility that they may be run outside.

Another reason for a proper ground.

-Hal


[This message has been edited by hbiss (edited 09-13-2004).]

"What a great code question!"
True, very true! I still say to the EGC of the circuit, as it is a guaranteed ground/bond to water, service, and phone. Be it code or not.(my opinion)
Not to mention a lot easier than the alternatives... Except not doing it at all.

Well...tuff question I guess.Does the 2002 NEC allow a cold water pipe(beyond 5ft from the point of entrance to the building) for connection of a grounding conductor?
The definition of equipment grounding conductor is "The conductor used to connect non-current-carrying metal parts of equipment,raceways, and other enclosures to the system grounded conductor ,the grounding electrode conductor, or both, at the service equipment or at the source of a seperately derived system"
The wording "at the service equipment" or "at the source of a seperately derived system" implies that equipment grounding conductors must be run to the service equipment.
250.130 instructs on how the connection shall be made.
My answer is NO the 2002 Nec doesn't allow the connection to a metal water pipe beyond 5ft of the point of entrance of that pipe to the building.
The instruction with the alarm panel must be outdated.

shortcircuit