[RE-wrenches] GEC tap

[drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org]

Crimp on "C" clamps meet code, but sometimes are not that secure of a 
connection.

_Drake Chamberlin_

_Athens Electric LLC_

_Ohio Electrical Contractor's License 44810_

_NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional_

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On 2025-02-20 12:01, Kristopher Schmid via RE-wrenches wrote:

> 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 [1]
> 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 [1]
> 715-653-4295
> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
> Licensed Wisconsin Master Electrician
> BSEE _______________________________________________
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Links:
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[1] http://www.legacysolar.com
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