[Elecraft] Grounds... I know, I know... its a Dead issue BUT... (no Pun)

[Gary]

In the USA electrical utilities are often not subject to NEC instead they
have their own code and it often varies region to region, state to state.
I've noticed recently that in the topics that reference the NEC there's
often no mention that many municipalities/counties/states adopt and enforce
their own electrical code. While often based upon the NEC many of these
'local' codes contain variances that might surprise so I'd like to remind
everyone (in the USA) that while the NEC is a good starting point when
approaching a code issue it may not apply to them. Phil's issue with a
service entrance ground is a good example. His electrical utility may be
well within their right to use the buried service drop raceway as the
grounding electrode for his service. I'd suggest contacting the utility
company for clarification on this.
73,
Gary
N6LRV

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Clyde Washburn
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 9:07 AM
To: 'Phil Townsend'; 'Elecraft Reflector'
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Grounds... I know,I know... its a Dead issue BUT...
(no Pun)

According to the NEC a buried pipe with corrosion protection over 8ft long
is an acceptable grounding electrode, with a listed
hierarchy of preference for different types of pipes.  Metallic water pipes
are 1st on the list.  Normally other pipes are used only
when the water pipe is non-metallic.

_____________________
Clyde Washburn, K2UE
82 Lasalle Pkwy
Victor, NY 14564-9610
585-317-7006
k2ue at rochester.rr.com


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Phil Townsend
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 11:44 AM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] Grounds... I know, I know... its a Dead issue BUT... (no
Pun)

I really hate to bring it up again... But hear me out:

My A/C service entrance does not have a ground rod.
My house was built about 25 years ago.'
I pulled the service front panel and found the following:
All the grounds and neutrals are bonded to the metal chassis as they are
supposed to be.
But there is no wire for a connection to a ground ROD!
It looks like they used a solid metal pipe that houses the big A/C wire
inside of this pipe.
This pipe IS connected to the service entrance by some metal gland nuts.
The 2 1/2" pipe goes outside of the house and is buried underground. It goes
off to a transformer that is about 100 yards away.
So my question: 
IS this pipe MY Ground rod?


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