Grounding Conductors Replace By Steel Poles
Grounding Conductors Replace By Steel Poles
(OP)
It is my understanding that Steel Poles can be utilized as "Grounding Electrodes" as per NESC 094. However, it is not clear to me if a steel pole can be utilized as the Grounding Conductor for an electric distribution overhead system. Please advice.........






RE: Grounding Conductors Replace By Steel Poles
RE: Grounding Conductors Replace By Steel Poles
Bill
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"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
RE: Grounding Conductors Replace By Steel Poles
RE: Grounding Conductors Replace By Steel Poles
I would not use it in utility applications, because there may be corrosion factor that will shorten the life.
RE: Grounding Conductors Replace By Steel Poles
My opinion is that you can use the pole as a grounding conductor (sorry for my first post - I was thinking grounded neutral). NESC Rule 93.A says that the metal frame of a structure may serve as a part of a grounding conductor. The pole is at least as good as a separate #6 copper wire for carrying fault current and would be superior to a separate wire for lightning surge current where big diameters mean low inductance. Even if you can't use the pole as an electrode because of coatings, you could use the pole as a conductor and have a ground pad at the base to connect to a ground rod.
If you use the pole as the only grounding electrode, it would seem rather silly to run a #6 copper wire from the top of the pole to a ground pad at the bottom.