Lightning and the Grounding Electrode Conductor

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Maxwell-Leyden
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Lightning and the Grounding Electrode Conductor

Unread post by Maxwell-Leyden » Thu Jan 25, 2018 3:00 pm

general scenario-
the grounded electrical system of a building has a conductor we call the grounding electrode conductor. this conductor typically terminates at one end inside a meter base(or other ferrous enclosure) for the system, where it terminates it connectors to the grounded conductor(neutral) of the system and to the enclosure. then the grounding electrode conductor leaves the enclosure (this spot here is the base of the question) and goes to a grounding electrode/electrode system (ground rods or large burried copper wire ground loop or combination of both).

there are two variations to this scenario and i would like to know if one is better than the other.

variation #1-
where the grounding electrode conductor leaves the ferrous enclosure the conductor is bonded to the outside of the enclosure.

variation #2-
where the grounding electrode conductor leaves the ferrous enclosure the conductor does not bond to the outside of the enclosure, instead it leaves the enclosure without touching it through a 1/4" hole (the conductor is #6 AWG about 1/8") and just leaves in free air.


some background on the question

- the thought is the conductor should be bonded where it leaves the enclosure for when high transient currents are on the system and you need to consider skin effect and on some you just need to consider choke effect(not bonding there may increase impedance)(current on a single conductor running through a ferrous enclosure that is not being used as a parallel electrical path).

-the thought is not that omitting the extra bond will result in catastrophic effects, but that bonding the extra time could reduce damage to the system and structure under large currents.

-NEC 250.4(A)(1) Electrical system grounding. electrical systems that are grounded shall be connected to earth in a manner that will limit the voltage imposed by lightning, line surges, or unintentional contact with higher-voltage lines and that will stabilize the voltage to earth during normal operation.

- i know this is not a "lightning protection system"! its about reducing damage with a practical little extra bond

-NEC 250.64(E)(1) raceways and enclosures for grounding electrode conductor. general. ferrous metal raceways and enclosures for grounding electrode conductors shall be electrically continuous from the point of attachment to cabinets or equipment to the grounding electrode and shall be securely fastened to the ground clamp or fitting. ferrous metal raceways and enclosures shall be bonded at each end of the raceway or enclosure to the grounding electrode or grounding electrode conductor to create an electrically parallel path.

-NEC 250.64(E)(1) has been in the NEC at least since 1968 and worded almost the same, (it included enclosure, not just conduit) and it was in Massachusetts code for a long time before then i think i found it in a 20's book



any information or direction to information on the subject matter is greatly appreciated. thank you

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