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#97161 01/29/06 12:37 AM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
I spent the day with Mark Ode (along with 170 other guys). I caught him on a break, mostly asking about the turned up rebar Ufer deal. (He was OK with it)
Then I got him with the "can a GEC be green"?
He said of course it can. I said prove it.
He was still thumbing the book an the next break. I bet he will remember me ;-)


Greg Fretwell
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#97162 01/29/06 09:19 AM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,507
G
Member
Greg- I don't find where the color is called out for the GEC but if I were asked by a contractor what color for the GEC my answer would probably be "bare or green". I would be hard pressed to write a violation for them using a red or orange wire. Since it is a grounding wire albeit a GEC it seems practical to use green or bare. Most electricians and other electrically inclined persons recognize green as a grounding conductor. Notice I said "most" [Linked Image]


George Little
#97163 01/29/06 12:46 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 399
A
Member
Any color or bare is allowed.
I made a proposal to the Code that at least in panels and switchboards it had to be identified with green or bare.
Rejected.
Seeing a black or red wire on a ground / neutral bar makes most electricians pause.
Oh well.

We plan on tackeling the rebar question next week. Any helpful information ?
Alan--


Alan--
If it was easy, anyone could do it.
#97164 01/29/06 01:15 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 650
W
Member
Start with 310.12
310.12(B) directs us to 250.119 for _equipment grounding conductors_. 250.119 repeats: 'Identification of Equipment Grounding Conductors'
The definition section distinguishes between Grounding Conductors and Grounding Conductors, Equipment. So 250.119 clearly does not apply to grounding conductors in general, but only to the specific subclass of _Equipment_ grounding conductors.

310.12(A) directs us to 200.6 for _grounded conductors_.
200.6 essentially specifies the use of white or grey for grounded conductors, possibly by marking for sizes larger than 6AWG
The definition section says that a grounded conductor is 'A system or circuit conductor that is intentionally grounded.'

The GEC is not an EGC. The GEC is not a circuit conductor. But the GEC is a conductor, and part of the electrical system. Therefor the GEC is a grounded conductor and thus governed by 200.6, and must be bare have a _white_ (or one of the other 200.6 variations) covering.

*grin*

-Jon

[This message has been edited by winnie (edited 01-29-2006).]

#97165 01/29/06 02:21 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,056
R
Member
Nice "code loop", and interesting interpretation, Jon.
I would equate "grounded" conductors with neutrals, and/or grounded phase conductors which are intended to carry current(if need be)under normal operating conditions.
I never considered the GEC as a "grounded conductor" although it is a conductor and it is grounded.
BTW,
I usually use stranded black.

#97166 01/29/06 02:44 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 650
W
Member
Redsy,

I quite agree with you. I have always understood 'grounded conductor' to mean a conductor that is _intended_ to carry current, as opposed to the 'grounding conductors' which should _not_ carry current in a properly functioning system. The above interpretation is what I get when I read the literal wording in the code.

This does lead to a logical conflict, since an equipment grounding conductor is also a 'grounded conductor', and therefore required to be white and green at the same time.

How about another funny: if you don't buy that the GEC is a grounded conductor, and by definition the GEC is also not an EGC, then you get to 'the GEC may be any color'. However, based upon 310.12(C) if you use a particular color for the GEC, then you can't use that color for an ungrounded conductor. So your use of the black covering for a GEC means you can't use it as a phase conductor [Linked Image]

-Jon

#97167 01/29/06 04:31 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,056
R
Member
Jon,
I have always rested on Article 200, which although titled "Use and Identification of Grounded Conductors", does not address conductors used for grounding purposes, and therefore would not consider conductors used for connecting Grounded Conductors to ground as grounded conductors, although these indeed are conductors which are connected to ground.

If you followed that, try this...

I can not consider that which is, without considering that by which, which is, is!

As far as 310.12(C), (grounded AND grounding conductors)good call!

#97168 01/29/06 04:40 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,507
G
Member
Looks like we're back to green or bare for the GEC??

So if we have a bare Grounded or Ungrounded conductor we are stuck with Green for our GEC???

[This message has been edited by George Little (edited 01-29-2006).]


George Little
#97169 01/29/06 06:28 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,056
R
Member
George, If we have bare Ungrounded, we are "stuck" alright.

But you knew that. [Linked Image]

#97170 01/30/06 01:56 AM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
If I follow the code loop I end up with white or bare as logical choices. When you hang your amp probe on a GEC it will usually be carrying some of the unbalanced load.
It can be seen as an extension of the grounded conductor from the utility in a ring circuit that ends up being a parallel path back to the X0 via the earth or the water system.
It is hard to get over the idea that "grounding" conductors are not green but this is really a "grounded" conductor.


Greg Fretwell
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