?
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Question:
Re: CQD answer published Wednesday, February 15, 2017 -Pole Luminaire Grounding
As related information, it might also be mentioned that a concrete base, even with rebar and/or a grounding rod, is NOT acceptable as the source of the EGC ! The EGC source connection must be from the circuit's power source.
Most AHJs I know would totally accept the EGC being terminated on the metal pole, without also being run up to the luminaire(s).
As a matter of excellent workmanship and forward thinking caution, it is important to install the EGC with a loop of excess length before it is landed on the pole's EGC terminal. This practice will help guarantee that if a pole is knocked down, the supply conductors will break before the EGC does - this helps assure that the downed pole is not live.
Scott Cline
A
Answer:
Hey Scott thanks for your comments. Good point, an equipment grounding conductor must be run with the circuit conductors as stated in 250.134(B). The earth is not allowed as an effective ground fault current path as stated in 250.4(A)(5). Leaving some slack in the equipment grounding conductor that connects to a metal lighting pole sounds like a very good idea.