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Subject - 250.4(A)(5)
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Ryan_J
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If I am using a metal raceway (aluminum or steel) as an equipment ground, as permitted in section 250.118, am I guaranteed compliance with 250.4(A)(5)?
I am curious to hear some thoughts on this. What if the length is 500'?
EDIT: Sorry Scott, I didn't see that you had a bonding section here. Please feel free to relocate the thread if you like.
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JimmyDee
| Not necessarily. I think the key here is too provide a low-impedance circuit capable of safely carrying the maximum ground-fault current. I can see where perhaps on an excessively long run, it might not be enough. Keeping in mind that the size of the raceway increases as the copper size increases I would have to say maybe. I have been told by some really old, old timers that BX use to start fires when the wrap became insulated, in an old building, with dirt. If I remember correctly, 35' of the old style BX (before the ground ribbon) when shorted at the end with a 15 amp would not blow the fuse. What happened is the steel casing, instead of being a continuous steel sleeve, became a ribbon of about 3.141 times as long and was a great heating element. Jim
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Ryan_J
| There is a very cool software that can be downloaded that will help answer this burning question.
Go here to download it if you would like...I think you will enjoy it. http://home.comcast.net/~gemi-site/
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JimmyDee
| I downloaded the program and looked it over. Came to the conclusion that I've gone 40+ years with out understanding this and can probably go another 40 without. I admire those of you that can use this stuff but I' too old to think that hard, soooo I'll head on over to the easier stuff. Jim
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Scott Vickrey
| No problem Ryan I just created it. I like that program even though some of it is beyond my understanding.
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