Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: charlie b, Location: Lockport, IL
Asked on: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 4:51 pm EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 4:39 am EDT
Question: Let me call this an "academic exercise."Consider a small office building (one or two stories, perhaps 1500 ft2) with just some basic electrical loads (i.e., lights and receptacles). Suppose I were to install a canopy over this building, without it actually touching the building at any point. Let the canopy be a metal-framed structure. Let us not allow any electrical devices (e.g., exterior lights) to be attached to the canopy.1. Would I need to call for any provisions for grounding the canopy, or for bonding its metal frame to the reinforcing steel of the office building it covers?2. Would the NEC even apply to the canopy?
1. Grounding and Bonding Requirements
Since the canopy is not attached to the building and has no electrical devices or wiring connected to it, it is not required to be grounded or bonded to the building's reinforcing steel.According to NEC Article 100, "grounding" refers to connecting metal raceways, enclosures, or equipment to the earth through a grounding electrode system. However, this canopy does not have any metal raceways or enclosures that need grounding.Bonding, as defined in NEC Article 100, refers to connecting two or more conductive objects together to create a low-impedance path for current flow. In this case, the canopy is not connected to any other conductive objects that would require bonding.Therefore, based on the provided information, no grounding or bonding provisions are necessary for the canopy.2. Applicability of NEC
The NEC generally applies to all electrical installations. However, there are certain exceptions, including outdoor installations not associated with a building or structure.In this case, the canopy is not attached to the building and has no electrical wiring or devices. Therefore, it can be argued that the NEC does not apply to the canopy installation. However, it is always advisable to consult with a qualified electrician and local building officials for specific requirements in your jurisdiction. Flag for review