Electricians = help me with a ground wire problem?
Need to install a ground rod for a sub-panel that is in my tool room.. question is == Can I use a section of rebar for the ground rod ?? Thanks for your time to answer .........
Need to install a ground rod for a sub-panel that is in my tool room.. question is == Can I use a section of rebar for the ground rod ?? Thanks for your time to answer .........
Jim W
Favorite Answer
For a sub panel that is fed with only one circuit a driven ground rod may not be required by code. If the panel is fed by more than one circuit then a driven ground rod must be installed and you should check the local codes because 2 rods may be required and the panel could be treated as a main panel and the ground from the original main panel is not needed.
dtstellwagen
No, unless galvanized. Rebar is iron, iron rusts, rust inhibits connection and dissolves the rebar.
NEC 250.52(A)(5) Rod and Pipe Electrodes. Rod and pipe electrodes shall not be less than 2.44 m (8 ft) in length and shall consist of the following materials.
(a) Grounding electrodes of pipe or conduit shall not be smaller than metric designator 21 (trade size 3⁄4) and, where of steel, shall have the outer surface galvanized or otherwise metal-coated for corrosion protection.
(b) Grounding electrodes of stainless steel and copper or zinc coated steel shall be at least 15.87 mm (5⁄8 in.) in diameter, unless listed.
Ground rods are needed for each separate building. Multiple panels in a building do not normally require additional rods,
The ground rods only get bonded to the neutral at the service panel, all feeders to additional panels or buildings after the service must include a ground wire.
Irv S
1 A ground rod should be copper clad at the least.
2. Unless that's a service panel, it should have a ground conductor back to the source of it's power line.
There should be only one ground on any given service.
alphadog
you should not install a ground rod at a sub-panel. you should use a four conductor cable from your main panel to carry the ground from there. if you do set a ground rod dont us rebar. it will rust with time and be a poor conductor.
Glen O
no it must go down into the ground 6 feet and must be copper to conduct better and so it wont rust. Rebar will rust and the connection will corrode, a regular ground rod only cost in the neighborhood of $15.00 and use the correct connector