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lwchris · May 19, 2007, 10:04 AM

I currently have a fuse box that I want to upgrade to a main breaker load center.

My house is in the country so I have a pole with the meter and a service disconnect. From the service disconnect it braches to my barn, well pump, and the house.

(Following the main into the house)
Inside on the house is another disconnect and then the fuse box.

My question is in regards to the grounding system, which none exist right now. Do I need to connect the grounding bar in the new panel to the rod at the pole or can I do a new grounding system right outside of the house? Also I would like the barn to have ground system as well please advise. Also it might be a little over kill but can I replace the disconnect inside of the house just for a little bit more protection as well as have a the main breaker on the new panel.

Thanks

tkrussell · May 20, 2007, 04:13 AM

If the feeder cable from the meter to any panel is three wire, at each panel the neutral AND equipment ground bar is connected together, AND is connected to a grounding electrode, which is at least one ground rod.

If the feeder from the meter to any panel is 4 wire, the neutral and equipment ground is separated, the neutral is insulated and isolated from the equipment ground, AND only the equipment ground bar is grounded to a grounding electrode.

The typical grounding electrode is an 8 foot copper cladded ground rod.

More than one may be need to achieve 25 ohms or less, depends on local soil conditions. Having at least two, connected together, but kept at least 6 feet away from each other, is typical.

If the barn has livestock, and a concrete floor, the re-bar in the concrete and all metal that the animals can come in contact with needs to be connected to the grounding system with a #8 wire.

Having a main breaker at the meter AND at each panel is fine.