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Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Question:
Hello CQD,
The manufacturers of poles that I have been installing are requiring a ground rod at each pole. It may have to do with the fact that the pole with its base is considered a "structure."
Jeff Glanstein
A
Answer:
Hi Dale,
The 2017 NEC was changed to provide some clarity in the definition of a structure. It simply says that a structure is that which is built or constructed, other than equipment. The key here are the words "other than equipment." This question is a good example of why the change was made to the Code. A luminaire and associated pole are manufactured in a facility (as opposed to built or constructed like a building, or other structure built in place from construction materials ). Chapter 4 of the NEC is titled "Equipment for General Use" and Article 410 provides rules that address both luminaires and the poles on which they are mounted. So as far as a grounding electrode. (ground rod) being required, it is optional. If it is installed it would be as an auxiliary grounding electrode as addressed in 250.54. One thing to keep in mind is that the concrete and rebar pole base is already a pretty good electrode inherently by the way it is constructed and as the definition of the term grounding electrode indicates regarding to "direct connection to earth." Hope this is helpful