Bare Grounded Conductor

[Kenny Rigler]

Hey Guys-

The grounded conductor from the weather mast to the meter was just bare copper, no insulation around it. Are there any problems with that? The grounded conductor entering the service panel from the meter was normal. Thanks.

Kenny

[Robert Meier]

No main?

230.41 Insulation of Service-Entrance Conductors
Service-entrance conductors entering or on the exterior of buildings or other structures shall be insulated.
Exception: A grounded conductor shall be permitted to be uninsulated as follows:
(1) Bare copper used in a raceway or part of a service cable assembly.
(2) Bare copper for direct burial where bare copper is judged to be suitable for the soil conditions.
(3) Bare copper for direct burial without regard to soil conditions where part of a cable assembly identified for underground use.
(4) Aluminum or copper-clad aluminum without individual insulation or covering where part of a cable assembly or identified for underground use in a raceway, or for direct burial.
(5) Bare conductors used in an auxiliary gutter.

[Jim Port]

I think the 100 amp at the top left might be the main.

I also think the insulation may have degraded and fallen off the neutral at the weatherhead.

[Kenny Rigler]

Originally Posted by Robert Meier

No main?

Sorry Robert, I don't follow. What do you mean no main? Your code reference exception (1) applies here correct?

[Kenny Rigler]

Originally Posted by Jim Port

I think the 100 amp at the top left might be the main.

I also think the insulation may have degraded and fallen off the neutral at the weatherhead.

Yes, that's the correct. The 100 AMP top left breaker in the panel was for the house distribution panel inside the garage. But also yes, no main disconnect for the service panel.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

No "main" is required here, but that was not clear in the first photo.

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by krigler

Sorry Robert, I don't follow. What do you mean no main? Your code reference exception (1) applies here correct?

Yes, the bare grounded conductor is permitted. A main/OCPD is required.