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#91867 02/12/05 10:46 AM
Joined: Jan 2004
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At what point do we consider the need to bond structural steel. Does a steel I Beam supported by steel post setting on concrete need to be bonded?


George Little
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#91868 02/12/05 11:23 AM
Joined: Feb 2002
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It needs to be bonded if it might become energized.

It should not take long to do and should not cost much. So there is little reason to not do it.

#91869 02/12/05 11:57 AM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,507
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Okay George, with a name like that, I know you know what your talking about [Linked Image] At what point is it likely to be energized? Does the steel beam in a basement of a home need to be bonded??

[This message has been edited by George Little (edited 02-12-2005).]


George Little
#91870 02/12/05 04:38 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,148
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Quote
250.102(C) Structural Steel. Exposed structural steel that is interconnected to form a steel building frame and is not intentionally grounded and may become energized shall be bonded ...
A single column supporting a beam is not a steel building frame and the code does not require bonding.
Don


Don(resqcapt19)
#91871 02/12/05 05:23 PM
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Don- I agree with you but we have inspectors out there that are asking that this steel be bonded and I just wonder where they are coming from???


George Little
#91872 02/12/05 09:26 PM
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Posts: 375
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George Little ---

"may become energized" is the rub. If you lay cables or conduit over or along the steel beam, I would lean toward "may". If no cables or conduit run over or along the beam, I would lean toward "may" not.

I don't see enough support in the code to support your position in an appeal.

#91873 02/13/05 01:38 AM
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Posts: 2,148
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George,
Just the fact that isolated steel may become energized does not trigger the requirement for bonding. The bonding requires both the possibility that the steel may become energized and that the steel be an interconnected building frame
Don


Don(resqcapt19)
#91874 02/13/05 10:59 AM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 375
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Member
resqcapt19 ---

I believe that wall switches are bonded because the tiny metal screw in the plastic plate might become energized, provides reasonable support for my position.

If I were inspecting and found this isue, I would point out the need and let the contractor do what he will.

#91875 02/13/05 12:35 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
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Moderator
George you are worrying me now, are you the type of inspector that makes the rules up as you go along?

Don already went over this I will try to make it clearer.

2002 NEC
Quote
250.104(C) Structural Steel. Exposed structural steel that is interconnected to form a steel building frame and is not intentionally grounded and may become energized shall be bonded to the service equipment enclosure, the grounded conductor at the service, the grounding electrode conductor where of sufficient size, or the one or more grounding electrodes used. The bonding jumper(s) shall be sized in accordance with Table 250.66 and installed in accordance with 250.64(A), (B), and (E). The points of attachment of the bonding jumper(s) shall be accessible.

In order for you to be able to require any electrician to bond steel it has to meet all of the following.

It must be exposed

AND

It has to form the steel frame of the structure.

AND

It has to be likely to be energized.

The opening post asked this;

Quote
Does a steel I Beam supported by steel post setting on concrete need to be bonded?

If that is the extent of the steel you have no authority to ask for it to be bonded.

I do not take the term "may become energized" to be all encompassing.

In my opinion you would have to show a way or reason it may become energized.

Quote
"may become energized" is the rub. If you lay cables or conduit over or along the steel beam, I would lean toward "may".

You do require conduit to be grounded and you do require proper supports for cable systems right?

So how would this lonely piece of steel become energized?

Bob





[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 02-13-2005).]


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#91876 02/13/05 01:52 PM
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I tend to side with Bob on this one. "May become enrgized" could open up a can of worms similar to what we do at a swimming pool. We could be bonding handrails, doors and shelving if we are looking at everyone who is not careful with their Christmas lights and cell phone chargers. If there is electrical utilization equipment hanging on that beam I would want to see the EGC bonded to the beam (the EGC of the circuit likely to energize... yada yada) but if this is a properly supported and routed wiring method simply passing near the beam, I don't see the problem.


Greg Fretwell
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