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nprranch · Dec 3, 2008, 09:48 AM

This is a follow-up question to my first question. When the house was built (25 yrs ago) the power company had me run a separate ground wire from the pole to my home. This separate ground wire was actually a solid copper (bare wire) old style overhead electric wire (not sure of the gauge but it was substantial). My question is would this serve as the grounding rod since it is solid copper and runs over 300ft underground to my house?

Also, to tkrussell, thanks for the previous response. Your information will be very helpful.

nprranch

amsteube · Dec 3, 2008, 09:53 AM

Bare copper running underground is normally a building ground.

Aaron

nprranch · Dec 3, 2008, 11:06 AM

Thanks amsteube for your response. To be more precise could you look at my question titled "Grounding Service Panels" and the response to it and revisit my "Ground at Pole" question to see if you think the "building ground" as you described would also suffice as a ground for the pole? I hope this question makes sense to you.

Thanks, nprranch

tkrussell · Dec 3, 2008, 02:07 PM

First, let me clarify something related to the following answer:

Originally Posted by amsteube

Bare copper running underground is normally a building ground.Aaron

Bare copper wire, minimum of #2, buried can only be used as a grounding electrode if the wire is a ring around the building or structure, not just in a straight line. This has been the case for several code editions (3 years per edition) , as long as I can remember, the case allowed by code.

So be careful giving partial answers.

Utilities often did that as you explained years ago, for various reasons. I have not seen that done for years. And the utilities I dealt with did not consider this wire nor allow it to be used as a grounding electrode.

You need to check with the utility and/or local inspector if you can use it as a grounding electrode.