The underground cable from my house to the meter pole (main disconnect)
was installed before I bought this property. They used 4 wire
underground service entrance cable. Two black (hot), one White stripe
(neutral), and one green (ground).

The green wire is connected to the ground buss bar in the house's panel,
but they never connected it to anything in the meter pole main box. The
house has it's own ground rods (2 of them), but I still think that green
wire should be grounded in that meter pole box, not just left
unconnected.

I can see why they did not connect it. There are no spare ground lugs
(screws). I've been meaning to do something with this, and finally went
to do this job after several years. But there is no place to connect it
as far as the lugs. However, there is the thick (#6) bare copper wire
that goes to the ground rod below that panel, and it's right where this
green wire ends inside that box.

My thought is to just put a split bolt around that bare copper wire and
put the stripped end of the green wire into that split bolt too.

But two questions arise. I know this is a GOOD ground, but is this type
of connection allowed by code. Also, the underground cable is aluminum,
and the ground wire is copper. I dont like the idea of dissimilar
metals, since they corrode. However I can get the split bolt that has a
brass divider, that would separate these two metals.

Actually this is the only option I really have, other than just leaving
it unconnected. (which is how it's been for years).

On Fri, 13 Nov 2015 18:50:35 -0600, wrote:

The underground cable from my house to the meter pole (main disconnect)
was installed before I bought this property. They used 4 wire
underground service entrance cable. Two black (hot), one White stripe
(neutral), and one green (ground).

The green wire is connected to the ground buss bar in the house's panel,
but they never connected it to anything in the meter pole main box. The
house has it's own ground rods (2 of them), but I still think that green
wire should be grounded in that meter pole box, not just left
unconnected.

I can see why they did not connect it. There are no spare ground lugs
(screws). I've been meaning to do something with this, and finally went
to do this job after several years. But there is no place to connect it
as far as the lugs. However, there is the thick (#6) bare copper wire
that goes to the ground rod below that panel, and it's right where this
green wire ends inside that box.

My thought is to just put a split bolt around that bare copper wire and
put the stripped end of the green wire into that split bolt too.

But two questions arise. I know this is a GOOD ground, but is this type
of connection allowed by code. Also, the underground cable is aluminum,
and the ground wire is copper. I dont like the idea of dissimilar
metals, since they corrode. However I can get the split bolt that has a
brass divider, that would separate these two metals.

Actually this is the only option I really have, other than just leaving
it unconnected. (which is how it's been for years).


There should only be 3 wires coming from the transformer to the point
where the ground rod connects in your panel (main bonding jumper)

You could connect them together if you want but do it at both ends. It
is a technical violation but not a particular hazard.

On Sat, 14 Nov 2015 00:19:04 -0500, wrote:

On Fri, 13 Nov 2015 18:50:35 -0600, wrote:

The underground cable from my house to the meter pole (main disconnect)
was installed before I bought this property. They used 4 wire
underground service entrance cable. Two black (hot), one White stripe
(neutral), and one green (ground).

The green wire is connected to the ground buss bar in the house's panel,
but they never connected it to anything in the meter pole main box. The
house has it's own ground rods (2 of them), but I still think that green
wire should be grounded in that meter pole box, not just left
unconnected.

I can see why they did not connect it. There are no spare ground lugs
(screws). I've been meaning to do something with this, and finally went
to do this job after several years. But there is no place to connect it
as far as the lugs. However, there is the thick (#6) bare copper wire
that goes to the ground rod below that panel, and it's right where this
green wire ends inside that box.

My thought is to just put a split bolt around that bare copper wire and
put the stripped end of the green wire into that split bolt too.

But two questions arise. I know this is a GOOD ground, but is this type
of connection allowed by code. Also, the underground cable is aluminum,
and the ground wire is copper. I dont like the idea of dissimilar
metals, since they corrode. However I can get the split bolt that has a
brass divider, that would separate these two metals.

Actually this is the only option I really have, other than just leaving
it unconnected. (which is how it's been for years).


There should only be 3 wires coming from the transformer to the point
where the ground rod connects in your panel (main bonding jumper)

You could connect them together if you want but do it at both ends. It
is a technical violation but not a particular hazard.

You're right. 3 wires, two are hot, one is neutral. The hots are fine.
The neutral is connected to the same buss bar that the grounding system
is connected.

Let me explain. This is a farm, where there is a main meter pole. The
meter has a main disconnect panel under it. There are two pull out fuse
blocks in there, each is 200A (400A service). I dont need half that
amperage, but this was a once a large farm with all sorts of grain
dryers and power consuming stuff. Now, I just run a small farm and dont
need all that much power. But that old fuse panel is still there. I have
two overhead triplex cables connected to one of these pull out fuses.
They feed the barn and garage and other sheds. The house is connected
via underground SE cable and is connected to the other pull out fuse.
THe house and the garage and barn each have separate breaker panels each
have their own MAIN breaker and each has their own grounding system.

Anyhow, getting back to that meter pole panel. The neutral and ground
are bonded in that box. Thats normal. But the house has newer wiring and
this there is that 4th wire (green wire) which does not exist in the
overhead triplex cables to the other buildings.

When I moved here, the electric compamy inspected that panel before they
would turn on the power. They said it was OK, even with that green wire
NOT connected. So, I'm not really concerned about the code so much. But
I still think that green wire should be connected to the ground on that
end. (Mostly for lightning spikes).

In the house, there is a newer breaker panel, which has separate neutral
buss bar and ground buss bar. So in the house they are separated and the
green wire goes to the ground buss along with the house grounding
system. However that green wire does nothing since it's not connected on
the other end.

Back at the meter pole panel. Because there are 3 separate feeds and
some very thick cables due to the 400A service. Therefore, there are no
spare screws (lugs) for this green wire and none will accept another
cable because they are not big enough to double up cables.

So, I'm back to either clamping it to the ground wire, or leaving it
disconnected.

Like I said, the code is not all that important since the power company
said things were OK. Even if it's a technical violation, I know it's
not a hazard. I just think in the event of a lightning surge, the more
grounding the better.

I'm mostly just concerned about connecting the aluminum cable to the
copper one, regarding corrosion issues....

On Sat, 14 Nov 2015 04:58:12 -0600, wrote:

On Sat, 14 Nov 2015 00:19:04 -0500, wrote:

On Fri, 13 Nov 2015 18:50:35 -0600, wrote:

The underground cable from my house to the meter pole (main disconnect)
was installed before I bought this property. They used 4 wire
underground service entrance cable. Two black (hot), one White stripe
(neutral), and one green (ground).

The green wire is connected to the ground buss bar in the house's panel,
but they never connected it to anything in the meter pole main box. The
house has it's own ground rods (2 of them), but I still think that green
wire should be grounded in that meter pole box, not just left
unconnected.

I can see why they did not connect it. There are no spare ground lugs
(screws). I've been meaning to do something with this, and finally went
to do this job after several years. But there is no place to connect it
as far as the lugs. However, there is the thick (#6) bare copper wire
that goes to the ground rod below that panel, and it's right where this
green wire ends inside that box.

My thought is to just put a split bolt around that bare copper wire and
put the stripped end of the green wire into that split bolt too.

But two questions arise. I know this is a GOOD ground, but is this type
of connection allowed by code. Also, the underground cable is aluminum,
and the ground wire is copper. I dont like the idea of dissimilar
metals, since they corrode. However I can get the split bolt that has a
brass divider, that would separate these two metals.

Actually this is the only option I really have, other than just leaving
it unconnected. (which is how it's been for years).


There should only be 3 wires coming from the transformer to the point
where the ground rod connects in your panel (main bonding jumper)

You could connect them together if you want but do it at both ends. It
is a technical violation but not a particular hazard.

You're right. 3 wires, two are hot, one is neutral. The hots are fine.
The neutral is connected to the same buss bar that the grounding system
is connected.

Let me explain. This is a farm, where there is a main meter pole. The
meter has a main disconnect panel under it. There are two pull out fuse
blocks in there, each is 200A (400A service). I dont need half that
amperage, but this was a once a large farm with all sorts of grain
dryers and power consuming stuff. Now, I just run a small farm and dont
need all that much power. But that old fuse panel is still there. I have
two overhead triplex cables connected to one of these pull out fuses.
They feed the barn and garage and other sheds. The house is connected
via underground SE cable and is connected to the other pull out fuse.
THe house and the garage and barn each have separate breaker panels each
have their own MAIN breaker and each has their own grounding system.

Anyhow, getting back to that meter pole panel. The neutral and ground
are bonded in that box. Thats normal. But the house has newer wiring and
this there is that 4th wire (green wire) which does not exist in the
overhead triplex cables to the other buildings.

When I moved here, the electric compamy inspected that panel before they
would turn on the power. They said it was OK, even with that green wire
NOT connected. So, I'm not really concerned about the code so much. But
I still think that green wire should be connected to the ground on that
end. (Mostly for lightning spikes).

In the house, there is a newer breaker panel, which has separate neutral
buss bar and ground buss bar. So in the house they are separated and the
green wire goes to the ground buss along with the house grounding
system. However that green wire does nothing since it's not connected on
the other end.

Back at the meter pole panel. Because there are 3 separate feeds and
some very thick cables due to the 400A service. Therefore, there are no
spare screws (lugs) for this green wire and none will accept another
cable because they are not big enough to double up cables.

So, I'm back to either clamping it to the ground wire, or leaving it
disconnected.

Like I said, the code is not all that important since the power company
said things were OK. Even if it's a technical violation, I know it's
not a hazard. I just think in the event of a lightning surge, the more
grounding the better.

I'm mostly just concerned about connecting the aluminum cable to the
copper one, regarding corrosion issues....

Use a cu/al rated lug to fasten the green wire to the 400 amp can. Use a
bolt and nut thru the lug to a solid (no knockouts in the path and paint
removed from contact area) part of the panel enclosure.
--
Mr.E

On Sat, 14 Nov 2015 04:58:12 -0600, wrote:

On Sat, 14 Nov 2015 00:19:04 -0500, wrote:

On Fri, 13 Nov 2015 18:50:35 -0600, wrote:

The underground cable from my house to the meter pole (main disconnect)
was installed before I bought this property. They used 4 wire
underground service entrance cable. Two black (hot), one White stripe
(neutral), and one green (ground).

The green wire is connected to the ground buss bar in the house's panel,
but they never connected it to anything in the meter pole main box. The
house has it's own ground rods (2 of them), but I still think that green
wire should be grounded in that meter pole box, not just left
unconnected.

I can see why they did not connect it. There are no spare ground lugs
(screws). I've been meaning to do something with this, and finally went
to do this job after several years. But there is no place to connect it
as far as the lugs. However, there is the thick (#6) bare copper wire
that goes to the ground rod below that panel, and it's right where this
green wire ends inside that box.

My thought is to just put a split bolt around that bare copper wire and
put the stripped end of the green wire into that split bolt too.

But two questions arise. I know this is a GOOD ground, but is this type
of connection allowed by code. Also, the underground cable is aluminum,
and the ground wire is copper. I dont like the idea of dissimilar
metals, since they corrode. However I can get the split bolt that has a
brass divider, that would separate these two metals.

Actually this is the only option I really have, other than just leaving
it unconnected. (which is how it's been for years).


There should only be 3 wires coming from the transformer to the point
where the ground rod connects in your panel (main bonding jumper)

You could connect them together if you want but do it at both ends. It
is a technical violation but not a particular hazard.

You're right. 3 wires, two are hot, one is neutral. The hots are fine.
The neutral is connected to the same buss bar that the grounding system
is connected.

Let me explain. This is a farm, where there is a main meter pole. The
meter has a main disconnect panel under it. There are two pull out fuse
blocks in there, each is 200A (400A service). I dont need half that
amperage, but this was a once a large farm with all sorts of grain
dryers and power consuming stuff. Now, I just run a small farm and dont
need all that much power. But that old fuse panel is still there. I have
two overhead triplex cables connected to one of these pull out fuses.
They feed the barn and garage and other sheds. The house is connected
via underground SE cable and is connected to the other pull out fuse.
THe house and the garage and barn each have separate breaker panels each
have their own MAIN breaker and each has their own grounding system.

Anyhow, getting back to that meter pole panel. The neutral and ground
are bonded in that box. Thats normal. But the house has newer wiring and
this there is that 4th wire (green wire) which does not exist in the
overhead triplex cables to the other buildings.

When I moved here, the electric compamy inspected that panel before they
would turn on the power. They said it was OK, even with that green wire
NOT connected. So, I'm not really concerned about the code so much. But
I still think that green wire should be connected to the ground on that
end. (Mostly for lightning spikes).

In the house, there is a newer breaker panel, which has separate neutral
buss bar and ground buss bar. So in the house they are separated and the
green wire goes to the ground buss along with the house grounding
system. However that green wire does nothing since it's not connected on
the other end.

Back at the meter pole panel. Because there are 3 separate feeds and
some very thick cables due to the 400A service. Therefore, there are no
spare screws (lugs) for this green wire and none will accept another
cable because they are not big enough to double up cables.

So, I'm back to either clamping it to the ground wire, or leaving it
disconnected.

Like I said, the code is not all that important since the power company
said things were OK. Even if it's a technical violation, I know it's
not a hazard. I just think in the event of a lightning surge, the more
grounding the better.

I'm mostly just concerned about connecting the aluminum cable to the
copper one, regarding corrosion issues....




It should be bonded to the neutral in the enclosure where the main
disconnect resides. Is there a way to bolt another lug to the ground
bar in the main disconnect?

On Sat, 14 Nov 2015 04:58:12 -0600, wrote:

On Sat, 14 Nov 2015 00:19:04 -0500, wrote:

On Fri, 13 Nov 2015 18:50:35 -0600, wrote:

The underground cable from my house to the meter pole (main disconnect)
was installed before I bought this property. They used 4 wire
underground service entrance cable. Two black (hot), one White stripe
(neutral), and one green (ground).

The green wire is connected to the ground buss bar in the house's panel,
but they never connected it to anything in the meter pole main box. The
house has it's own ground rods (2 of them), but I still think that green
wire should be grounded in that meter pole box, not just left
unconnected.

I can see why they did not connect it. There are no spare ground lugs
(screws). I've been meaning to do something with this, and finally went
to do this job after several years. But there is no place to connect it
as far as the lugs. However, there is the thick (#6) bare copper wire
that goes to the ground rod below that panel, and it's right where this
green wire ends inside that box.

My thought is to just put a split bolt around that bare copper wire and
put the stripped end of the green wire into that split bolt too.

But two questions arise. I know this is a GOOD ground, but is this type
of connection allowed by code. Also, the underground cable is aluminum,
and the ground wire is copper. I dont like the idea of dissimilar
metals, since they corrode. However I can get the split bolt that has a
brass divider, that would separate these two metals.

Actually this is the only option I really have, other than just leaving
it unconnected. (which is how it's been for years).


There should only be 3 wires coming from the transformer to the point
where the ground rod connects in your panel (main bonding jumper)

You could connect them together if you want but do it at both ends. It
is a technical violation but not a particular hazard.

You're right. 3 wires, two are hot, one is neutral. The hots are fine.
The neutral is connected to the same buss bar that the grounding system
is connected.

Let me explain. This is a farm, where there is a main meter pole. The
meter has a main disconnect panel under it. There are two pull out fuse
blocks in there, each is 200A (400A service). I dont need half that
amperage, but this was a once a large farm with all sorts of grain
dryers and power consuming stuff. Now, I just run a small farm and dont
need all that much power. But that old fuse panel is still there. I have
two overhead triplex cables connected to one of these pull out fuses.
They feed the barn and garage and other sheds. The house is connected
via underground SE cable and is connected to the other pull out fuse.
THe house and the garage and barn each have separate breaker panels each
have their own MAIN breaker and each has their own grounding system.

Anyhow, getting back to that meter pole panel. The neutral and ground
are bonded in that box. Thats normal. But the house has newer wiring and
this there is that 4th wire (green wire) which does not exist in the
overhead triplex cables to the other buildings.

When I moved here, the electric compamy inspected that panel before they
would turn on the power. They said it was OK, even with that green wire
NOT connected. So, I'm not really concerned about the code so much. But
I still think that green wire should be connected to the ground on that
end. (Mostly for lightning spikes).

In the house, there is a newer breaker panel, which has separate neutral
buss bar and ground buss bar. So in the house they are separated and the
green wire goes to the ground buss along with the house grounding
system. However that green wire does nothing since it's not connected on
the other end.

Back at the meter pole panel. Because there are 3 separate feeds and
some very thick cables due to the 400A service. Therefore, there are no
spare screws (lugs) for this green wire and none will accept another
cable because they are not big enough to double up cables.

So, I'm back to either clamping it to the ground wire, or leaving it
disconnected.

Like I said, the code is not all that important since the power company
said things were OK. Even if it's a technical violation, I know it's
not a hazard. I just think in the event of a lightning surge, the more
grounding the better.

I'm mostly just concerned about connecting the aluminum cable to the
copper one, regarding corrosion issues....



The neutral must be bonded to the ground at the "main panel" and must
not be bonded at the "sub panels" IIRTCC. According to that rule, the
ground at the pole should be connected to the house ground cable, and
to ground cables for all other buildings if the pole disconnect is
considered the "main panel"

However, if the pole disconnect is not the main panel, then the
ground and neutral would not be bonded at the post, and would be
bonded at each "main panel" in each outbuilding.

Not sure how this is considered in code - anyone out there know "for
sure"?

On Sat, 14 Nov 2015 22:19:00 -0500, wrote:


The neutral must be bonded to the ground at the "main panel" and must
not be bonded at the "sub panels" IIRTCC. According to that rule, the
ground at the pole should be connected to the house ground cable, and
to ground cables for all other buildings if the pole disconnect is
considered the "main panel"

However, if the pole disconnect is not the main panel, then the
ground and neutral would not be bonded at the post, and would be
bonded at each "main panel" in each outbuilding.

Not sure how this is considered in code - anyone out there know "for
sure"?

The pole is where the service disconnect resides and you are right. he
needs the green wire grounded there.
The fault path for anything in the house is now using earth for a
conductor. It might work in a lot of places but it is not legal or
safe.

On Friday, November 13, 2015 at 11:19:33 PM UTC-6, wrote:
On Fri, 13 Nov 2015 18:50:35 -0600, wrote:

The underground cable from my house to the meter pole (main disconnect)
was installed before I bought this property. They used 4 wire
underground service entrance cable. Two black (hot), one White stripe
(neutral), and one green (ground).

The green wire is connected to the ground buss bar in the house's panel,
but they never connected it to anything in the meter pole main box. The
house has it's own ground rods (2 of them), but I still think that green
wire should be grounded in that meter pole box, not just left
unconnected.

I can see why they did not connect it. There are no spare ground lugs
(screws). I've been meaning to do something with this, and finally went
to do this job after several years. But there is no place to connect it
as far as the lugs. However, there is the thick (#6) bare copper wire
that goes to the ground rod below that panel, and it's right where this
green wire ends inside that box.

My thought is to just put a split bolt around that bare copper wire and
put the stripped end of the green wire into that split bolt too.

But two questions arise. I know this is a GOOD ground, but is this type
of connection allowed by code. Also, the underground cable is aluminum,
and the ground wire is copper. I dont like the idea of dissimilar
metals, since they corrode. However I can get the split bolt that has a
brass divider, that would separate these two metals.

Actually this is the only option I really have, other than just leaving
it unconnected. (which is how it's been for years).


There should only be 3 wires coming from the transformer to the point
where the ground rod connects in your panel (main bonding jumper)

You could connect them together if you want but do it at both ends. It
is a technical violation but not a particular hazard.

I thought the meter box and main disconnect are grounded to ground rod/s then neutral and ground bonded together at the main breaker panel. No bond at any sub panels. I think the metal water pipes are also supposed to be grounded to the building electrical system ground. Correct me if I'm wrong but at one time wasn't it allowed by code to use the water supply pipe as the electrical system ground? ^_^

[8~{} Uncle Ground Monster

On Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 10:57:58 AM UTC-5, Uncle Monster wrote:
On Friday, November 13, 2015 at 11:19:33 PM UTC-6, wrote:
On Fri, 13 Nov 2015 18:50:35 -0600, wrote:

The underground cable from my house to the meter pole (main disconnect)
was installed before I bought this property. They used 4 wire
underground service entrance cable. Two black (hot), one White stripe
(neutral), and one green (ground).

The green wire is connected to the ground buss bar in the house's panel,
but they never connected it to anything in the meter pole main box. The
house has it's own ground rods (2 of them), but I still think that green
wire should be grounded in that meter pole box, not just left
unconnected.

I can see why they did not connect it. There are no spare ground lugs
(screws). I've been meaning to do something with this, and finally went
to do this job after several years. But there is no place to connect it
as far as the lugs. However, there is the thick (#6) bare copper wire
that goes to the ground rod below that panel, and it's right where this
green wire ends inside that box.

My thought is to just put a split bolt around that bare copper wire and
put the stripped end of the green wire into that split bolt too.

But two questions arise. I know this is a GOOD ground, but is this type
of connection allowed by code. Also, the underground cable is aluminum,
and the ground wire is copper. I dont like the idea of dissimilar
metals, since they corrode. However I can get the split bolt that has a
brass divider, that would separate these two metals.

Actually this is the only option I really have, other than just leaving
it unconnected. (which is how it's been for years).


There should only be 3 wires coming from the transformer to the point
where the ground rod connects in your panel (main bonding jumper)

You could connect them together if you want but do it at both ends. It
is a technical violation but not a particular hazard.

I thought the meter box and main disconnect are grounded to ground rod/s then neutral and ground bonded together at the main breaker panel. No bond at any sub panels. I think the metal water pipes are also supposed to be grounded to the building electrical system ground. Correct me if I'm wrong but at one time wasn't it allowed by code to use the water supply pipe as the electrical system ground? ^_^

[8~{} Uncle Ground Monster

Using an underground metal water pipe as one of the grounding electrodes
is still allowed by code. And metal water piping in the building must
be bonded to the ground system.

On Sat, 14 Nov 2015 07:57:51 -0800 (PST), Uncle Monster
wrote:

On Friday, November 13, 2015 at 11:19:33 PM UTC-6, wrote:
On Fri, 13 Nov 2015 18:50:35 -0600, wrote:

The underground cable from my house to the meter pole (main disconnect)
was installed before I bought this property. They used 4 wire
underground service entrance cable. Two black (hot), one White stripe
(neutral), and one green (ground).

The green wire is connected to the ground buss bar in the house's panel,
but they never connected it to anything in the meter pole main box. The
house has it's own ground rods (2 of them), but I still think that green
wire should be grounded in that meter pole box, not just left
unconnected.

I can see why they did not connect it. There are no spare ground lugs
(screws). I've been meaning to do something with this, and finally went
to do this job after several years. But there is no place to connect it
as far as the lugs. However, there is the thick (#6) bare copper wire
that goes to the ground rod below that panel, and it's right where this
green wire ends inside that box.

My thought is to just put a split bolt around that bare copper wire and
put the stripped end of the green wire into that split bolt too.

But two questions arise. I know this is a GOOD ground, but is this type
of connection allowed by code. Also, the underground cable is aluminum,
and the ground wire is copper. I dont like the idea of dissimilar
metals, since they corrode. However I can get the split bolt that has a
brass divider, that would separate these two metals.

Actually this is the only option I really have, other than just leaving
it unconnected. (which is how it's been for years).


There should only be 3 wires coming from the transformer to the point
where the ground rod connects in your panel (main bonding jumper)

You could connect them together if you want but do it at both ends. It
is a technical violation but not a particular hazard.

I thought the meter box and main disconnect are grounded to ground rod/s then neutral and ground bonded together at the main breaker panel. No bond at any sub panels. I think the metal water pipes are also supposed to be grounded to the building electrical system ground. Correct me if I'm wrong but at one time wasn't it allowed by code to use the water supply pipe as the electrical system ground? ^_^

[8~{} Uncle Ground Monster

You are right. He clarified his post to say the neutral and ground
were split in the house panel and in that case the ground wire should
go straight from the ground bus in the panel to the neutral/ground bus
in the main disconnect enclosure where the main bonding jumper
resides.
Up until 99 or 02 it was legal to feed panels in separate buildings
with 3 wire and create a new neutral ground bonding jumper there.

On Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 12:21:40 PM UTC-6, wrote:
On Sat, 14 Nov 2015 07:57:51 -0800 (PST), Uncle Monster
wrote:

On Friday, November 13, 2015 at 11:19:33 PM UTC-6, wrote:
On Fri, 13 Nov 2015 18:50:35 -0600, wrote:

The underground cable from my house to the meter pole (main disconnect)
was installed before I bought this property. They used 4 wire
underground service entrance cable. Two black (hot), one White stripe
(neutral), and one green (ground).

The green wire is connected to the ground buss bar in the house's panel,
but they never connected it to anything in the meter pole main box. The
house has it's own ground rods (2 of them), but I still think that green
wire should be grounded in that meter pole box, not just left
unconnected.

I can see why they did not connect it. There are no spare ground lugs
(screws). I've been meaning to do something with this, and finally went
to do this job after several years. But there is no place to connect it
as far as the lugs. However, there is the thick (#6) bare copper wire
that goes to the ground rod below that panel, and it's right where this
green wire ends inside that box.

My thought is to just put a split bolt around that bare copper wire and
put the stripped end of the green wire into that split bolt too.

But two questions arise. I know this is a GOOD ground, but is this type
of connection allowed by code. Also, the underground cable is aluminum,
and the ground wire is copper. I dont like the idea of dissimilar
metals, since they corrode. However I can get the split bolt that has a
brass divider, that would separate these two metals.

Actually this is the only option I really have, other than just leaving
it unconnected. (which is how it's been for years).


There should only be 3 wires coming from the transformer to the point
where the ground rod connects in your panel (main bonding jumper)

You could connect them together if you want but do it at both ends. It
is a technical violation but not a particular hazard.

I thought the meter box and main disconnect are grounded to ground rod/s then neutral and ground bonded together at the main breaker panel. No bond at any sub panels. I think the metal water pipes are also supposed to be grounded to the building electrical system ground. Correct me if I'm wrong but at one time wasn't it allowed by code to use the water supply pipe as the electrical system ground? ^_^

[8~{} Uncle Ground Monster

You are right. He clarified his post to say the neutral and ground
were split in the house panel and in that case the ground wire should
go straight from the ground bus in the panel to the neutral/ground bus
in the main disconnect enclosure where the main bonding jumper
resides.
Up until 99 or 02 it was legal to feed panels in separate buildings
with 3 wire and create a new neutral ground bonding jumper there.

I was thinking it may have something to do with ground loops. A star ground eliminates the problems caused by that. I have a feeling that ground loops could cause nuisance tripping of ground fault breakers thus causing a safety issue when a homeowner rips out the GFI's and replaces them with standard breakers. I also wonder if ground loops will trip arc fault breakers? Oh well, I suppose I have some research to do. ^_^

[8~{} Uncle Faulty Monster

On Sat, 14 Nov 2015 15:30:38 -0800 (PST), Uncle Monster
wrote:

On Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 12:21:40 PM UTC-6, wrote:

I was thinking it may have something to do with ground loops. A star ground eliminates the problems caused by that. I have a feeling that ground loops could cause nuisance tripping of ground fault breakers thus causing a safety issue when a homeowner rips out the GFI's and replaces them with standard breakers. I also wonder if ground loops will trip arc fault breakers? Oh well, I suppose I have some research to do. ^_^

[8~{} Uncle Faulty Monster

Ground loops are not the issue and nothing on the line side of a GFCI
should trip it.
The issue with "regrounding the neutral" is you are going to impose
some current on the grounding conductor and the voltage will rise in
reference to ground level. This will be mitigated when you actually
create another ground reference in the sub panel in a second building
but then you are really not using a separate ground at all.
They still see it as "Objectionable current on the grounding
conductor" so you do not connect at both ends and in the case of the
line side (power company service conductors), you don't have a
grounding conductor at all (just 3 wires)

For most of the life of the NEC they treated a second building as a
separate service in regard to the grounding but they chipped away at
that idea until it disappeared. Now it is just like a sub panel inside
the same building, 4 wire feeder and an isolated neutral. They just
kept the ground rod requirement to create a fresh ground reference for
the equipment grounding bus bar.