Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: romex jockey101, Location: New Jersey
Asked on: Monday, April 18, 2011 at 6:50 pm EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 4:20 am EDT
Question: if your feeding a subpanel with emt or rigid conduit from the mainpanel do you have to feed a groundingconductor aswell even tho it will be bonded to the mainpanel through the conduit ...and if you dont have to bring a ground what would happen if their was a groundfault in the subpanel would the fault then go through the conduit to the mainpanel and then to the gec.
Yes, you have to feed a grounding conductor even if the subpanel is bonded to the main panel through the conduit. Grounding Conductor Ensures Reliable Ground Path
The grounding conductor provides a dedicated and reliable path for fault currents to flow to the grounding electrode conductor (GEC). This is important to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment in case of ground faults.
NFPA Requirement
According to the National Electrical Code (NFPA), all subpanels, regardless of their grounding method, must be equipped with a separate grounding conductor. This requirement is in Article 250.118(10) of the NEC.
If a Ground Fault Occurs Without a Grounding Conductor:
If there is a ground fault in the subpanel and there is no separate grounding conductor, the fault current will take the path of least resistance: It will flow through the conduit to the main panel. If the conduit is not properly bonded at the main panel, the fault current may find other paths, such as through the building structure or other metal objects.* This can create a dangerous situation with unpredictable consequences, potentially leading to fire, shock, or damage to equipment. Flag for review