Unable to confirm proper ground..

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

The text is compliments of InspectVue.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

I would like to hear your comments Peter, with regard to that statement. I had the same one in my software, however, I modified it (as with most of the narratives) to read;

We could not determine the point at which the electrical system is grounded. Typically, the system is grounded to a driven rod, a water pipe or foundation steel, but we could not verify it at any of these locations. Therefore, it should be identified by an electrician or the system ground should be established

[Speedy Petey]

That to me seems more appropriate since all these locations are specifically grounding electrodes. Although the water pipe is a bit vague as to location of connection, but it is implied IMO.

A connection to a water pipe at a water heater or hose bib is merely a water bond and serves to ground nothing.

In fact, I can't wait unitl the NEC changes the wording of grounding to "earthing". That IMO should provide a better idea of what these systems do

I do not like the term "service ground" or "grounded service". ALL modern services are grounded. They are grounded at the grounded conductor. THIS is what provides the safety ground to open breakers under fault conditions.
The grounding electroded system (ground rods, etc.) do NOT provide a safety ground, and a fault to just a ground rod will NOT open a breaker.
But I think you know this.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

I think it is important AGAIN to understand the difference and the terms we are speaking of here.


PROPER BONDING CREATES
AN ELECTRICALLY CONTINOUS,
LOW RESISTANCE PATH
FOR FAULT CURRENT TO RETURN
TO THE NEUTRAL AT THE SERVICE


GROUNDING-
IS A CONNECTION TO EARTH
INTENDED TO PROTECT OUR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FROM
LIGHTNING AND HIGH VOLTAGE

Grounding the Electrical Equipment-
Non-current carrying conductive materials enclosing electrical conductors or equipment, or forming part of such equipment, shall be connected to earth so as to limit the voltage imposed by lightning, line surges, or unintentional contact with higher voltage lines and limit the voltage to ground on these materials

Bonding the Electrical Equipment-
Non-current carrying conductive materials enclosing electrical conductors or equipment, shall be connected together and to the supply system grounded equipment in a manner that creates a permanent, low impedance path for ground fault current which is capable of safely carrying the maximum fault current likely to be imposed on it .


If I had only one suggestion to help people better understand this I would say sit down and read NEC 250-4.........in the 2002 NEC....it is the at this point the NEC woke up a little and clarrified the Bonding and Grounding Mystery for many people.

[bmargiotti]

i have seen quite a few of these exact things lately. i also tug on them and if the dont pull out, i say "the ground rod was not visible but the electrode is burried. grounding system appears to be functioning properly, but furthur investigation to determine adequacy shoud be performed by a licensed electrician."

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Jeff; when you keep saying "we" are you no longer talking about yourself, but employees??
Just curious.

Marcel

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

That's "inspector-speak" for "just-me".

[Jeff Molloy]

Bob, Do you mean that the grounding "appears to be functioning properly" or that " it appears that the grounding system will function properly"?