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Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Question:
Hello Charlie, is there an
NEC® requirement for a ground bar to be installed around the perimeter of an indoor, electrical equipment room for medium voltage substation? Thanks, and Happy Holidays, Phillip Hoffman
A
Answer:
Phillip, thanks for the question. Determining ownership of the equipment is key in determining the installation requirements.
If the indoor substation equipment is owned by the utility, then it would fall outside the scope of the NEC®. You will need to contact the utility and request a copy of their installation requirements which will likely incorporate by reference the National Electrical Safety Code® (NESC).
If the equipment is owned by customer/property owner, then the installation would fall under the scope of the NEC®. Well, there is no specific requirement for the installation of a ground bus to be installed around the perimeter of the electrical equipment room, it would be permitted. Once installed it will have to comply with the rules set forth in the NEC®, specific to what the busbar us being used for. For example, if the installation of the busbar is to provide a connection point for the Grounding Electrode Conductor(s), the installation would be subject to the requirements for busbar size and material found in Section 250.64(F)(3).
It is also important to mention that Section 250.1 and Figure 250.1 provide the layout and application of the rules for Article 250.