An EMT raceway carries a 1/0 AWG copper insulated grounding electrode conductor from the service-entrance equipment across the ceiling to an underground water pipe. Which description best matches code requirements for this EMT raceway?

An EMT raceway carries a 1/0 AWG copper insulated grounding electrode conductor from the service-entrance equipment across the ceiling to an underground water pipe. Which description best matches code requirements for this EMT raceway?

• A. It is used only for support so nothing special is required.
• B. Grounding electrode conductors are not allowed to be installed in EMT.
• C. The ground wire is insulated so nothing special is required.
• D. It must be electrically bonded from the service to the water pipe.

Answer: (D)

Bonding the grounding electrode conductor to the service equipment and to the metal water piping ensures a continuous, low-impedance grounding path at the same electrical potential throughout the system. In this setup, the 1/0 copper insulated grounding electrode conductor, running through the EMT raceway to an underground water pipe, is connecting a grounding electrode (the water pipe) back to the service. The water pipe must be bonded to the service equipment so that the entire grounding system remains connected and effective, even if parts of the metalwork are separated or moved. The EMT raceway can contain a GEC, and having insulation on the conductor does not exempt you from making the bonding connections. The critical requirement is the bonding between the service and the water pipe. It’s not just for support, and grounding electrodes can be installed in EMT paths when properly bonded.

Bonding the grounding electrode conductor to the service equipment and to the metal water piping ensures a continuous, low-impedance grounding path at the same electrical potential throughout the system. In this setup, the 1/0 copper insulated grounding electrode conductor, running through the EMT raceway to an underground water pipe, is connecting a grounding electrode (the water pipe) back to the service. The water pipe must be bonded to the service equipment so that the entire grounding system remains connected and effective, even if parts of the metalwork are separated or moved.

The EMT raceway can contain a GEC, and having insulation on the conductor does not exempt you from making the bonding connections. The critical requirement is the bonding between the service and the water pipe. It’s not just for support, and grounding electrodes can be installed in EMT paths when properly bonded.