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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5
D
duanet Offline OP
Junior Member
Hi,
I am installing a new 125 Amp sub panel 65 feet away from a new 200 amp service. The sub is located in the same shop as the main panel. Do i need to pull a separate grounding conductor for the sub or can the EMT between the main and the sub be used for the grounding bond? I ask as i would like to use 1-1/4 EMT which will only allow three #1 copper conductors.
(per conduit fill table 3B)
Thus allowing 2-#1 lines and a common max.
If i have to pull a separate #6 ground i would have to step up to the 1-1/2 EMT. Basically i wish to know if on a sub panel situation such as this is it allowed to use the EMT conduit as the ground rather than a separate conductor?

thanks

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 163
D
Member
I'm now looking at Appendix C of the 1999 NEC, pg. 585 - THHN #1...4 conductors (#1 size) are allowed in 1-1/4" EMT

Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5
D
duanet Offline OP
Junior Member
You may want to check again as my NEC book Table 3B (maximum # of conductors in trade sizes of conduit or tubing) states that a maximum of 3 #1 THHN in 1-1/4

Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,044
Tom Offline
Member
Where the heck is table 3B?

Table C1 on page 585 is the correct one to use & as dana1028 pointed out 1 1/4" emt is good for 4 #1's.

You don't usually need to pull in the equipment ground, but many electricians prefer to include one in all their conduit work.


Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5
D
duanet Offline OP
Junior Member
Table 3B is in chapter 9 (tables and examples) page 750 of 1990 NEC

A
Anonymous
Unregistered
duanet,

Its time to invest in a new NEC book.

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 22
E
Member
i would use the 1 1/4 emt as the ground and run only 3 conductors

Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,056
R
Member
What size breaker are you installing ?

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 163
D
Member
BTW - Appendix C, pg. 585 does say 4 #1 are allowed in 1-1/4" EMT; however if you do the arithmetic from Table 4 & Table 5 (EMT usable space & area of THHN tables)you cannot use 4 #1s in 1-1/4" EMT.

However, even though you are allowed to use the EMT as the EGC, I highly recommend you do pull the #6 (the arithmetic works) as your EGC - don't trust the EMT connection over the years to be maintained and work when needed in the event of a fault.

Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 36
3
Member
I have to agree with Dana, don't trust conduits to carry the ground as the years progress...I've already seen far too many lost grounds from installations 15 to 30 years old. Go ahead and pull it, you won't regret it later.


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