[RE-wrenches] GEC tap

[Kristopher Schmid]

Thanks Cory,

I think that the supply side connection may require the irreversible splice
since it is considered a service entrance.  In some cases, the GE is not
easily accessible (under concrete for example) to add a GEC to the GE
directly.  In any case, my AHJs do not like the split bolt connection and
that is my reason for the inquiry.


Shine On!

Kris Schmid
Legacy Solar, LLC
137 West 1st Avenue
Luck, WI 54853
www.legacysolar.com
715-653-4295
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
Licensed Wisconsin Master Electrician
BSEE


On Wed, Feb 19, 2025 at 9:53 PM Corey Shalanski via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Kris,
>
> As far as I know, taps to GECs need not be irreversible. I believe you
> might be thinking of the NEC 250.64(C) requirement for GECs to be installed
> "in one continuous length" or otherwise be spliced together via one of
> several options, with one option being to use irreversible compression-type
> connectors—but I'm pretty sure that refers to *individual* GECs (as in,
> *each* GEC must either be run continuous or can be pieced together via
> irreversible means).
>
> It sounds like your scenario is a supply-side connection, which introduces
> an additional service equipment enclosure in the form of the PV system
> disconnect (additional to any existing service equipment) and would
> therefore be covered by NEC 250.64(D). One option, described in (D)(2),
> would be to run a new GEC from the PV system disconnect directly to the
> (existing) grounding electrode system. The other option*, described in
> (D)(1), is to run a GEC "tap" from the PV system disconnect to a "common"
> GEC. In cases where there is only a single existing service equipment
> enclosure - and therefore only a single existing GEC - my interpretation is
> that the existing GEC can serve as the common GEC (essentially doing double
> duty as a "common/tap" GEC, if it helps to think of it that way) and you
> can therefore connect the new GEC tap directly to it. Notably, this method
> allows for the use of "connectors listed as grounding and bonding
> equipment"—we commonly use split bolts for the purpose.
> *There is also a third option [(D)(3)], but, in my experience, it is
> uncommon to have wireways on the supply side of service disconnects.
>
> So, I would suggest there is no need to use compression connectors - but
> you can certainly do so as an 'above-Code' measure.
>
> Corey Shalanski
> Cherry Street Energy
> Atlanta, GA
>
>
> On Wed, Feb 19, 2025 at 8:18 AM Kristopher Schmid via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> What are you all using for an "irreversible" tap to an existing GEC?  I
>> have been looking at compression CTAPs.  Do they require a special crimper
>> die?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Kris
>>
>>
>> Shine On!
>>
>> Kris Schmid
>> Legacy Solar, LLC
>> 137 West 1st Avenue
>> Luck, WI 54853
>> www.legacysolar.com
>> 715-653-4295
>> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
>> Licensed Wisconsin Master Electrician
>> BSEE
>>
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