ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Isolated Ground Conductor

Does anyone know of an online graphic showing an isolated ground conductor terminating in a sub panelboard? I can't find a drawing I had in in my EC&M, IAEI, CEE or one of my other magazines. I believe it's NEC compliant to terminate at the nearest panelboard if you choose, instead of running it all the way back to the service equipment.

Frank,
The code permits you to pass the isolated equipment grounding conductor through panels without landing it, it does not require you to do so. As long as it is connected to a proper fault clearing path, the point of connection becomes a design issue, not a code issue.
Don(resqcapt19)

This months or last months EC&M (I'll check tomorrow). Last page discusses isolated grounds. However, one of the drawings didn't seem right to me. (I think the IG terminal jumped to the metal box, which, once the receptacle is mounted, seems to defeat the purpose of IG.) I'll check tomorrow, and maybe someone can teach me something.

Would anyone like me to draw up a few example IG termination schemes?

I can do drawings from "Most Convenient" to "Binford 6100 IG System".

Scott SET

Scott,

Would you draw an example of an isolated ground conductor terminating in a sub panelboard.

Frank,

October,2001 issue EC&M. Last page.

Don,

If you connect the IG terminal to a 1900 box that is installed with EMT, then mount the receptacle to that box, what have you gained?

[This message has been edited by Redsy (edited 11-15-2001).]

Scott,
Really? The Binford 6100 IG System sounds like something that Tim the Toolman would have done on the TV show Home Improvement.
Redsy,
All you gain is spending some $$ for nothing, and an orange recp that sticks out like a sore thumb. Blockbuster Videos used to do them like that so that their technically deprived Managers would know where to plug in the cash registers and workstations.

Redsy,

Thank you for the information. I'm trying to determine what is NEC minimum. As Don points out in his reply: "beyond that it is a design issue". It's my understanding you can terminate an isolated ground conductor at the nearest sub panel or of course run it all the way back to the service equipment.

[This message has been edited by Frank Cinker (edited 11-15-2001).]

Redsy,
Yes, if you connect it to the metal raceway or box, you have lost the intended isolation, but it would not be a code violation. The amount of isolation required is a design issue, not a safety or code issue. You are permitted to connect it anywhere on the grounding system that will provide the required fault clearing path.
Don(resqcapt19)

Does anyone know the internet address for EC&M Magazine?