How to Ground Circuit Breaker Boards
- 1
Building inspectors may want to have access to all of the structure's wiring for the inspection.building inspector,woman image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
Call the local municipal office to apply for any building permits and electrical inspections required for installing a ground system. Call the power company to determine if the structure's electrical system is energized. Switch the main panel breaker to "Off" and place a breaker warning tag over the breaker to warn other workers not to touch the switch. Place a sheet of plywood on the floor in front of the main panel. - 2
A sledge hammer or rod driver will be needed to drive the ground rod into the soil.hammer image by Tobias Huber from Fotolia.com
Drive the copper plated ground rod into the ground using the rod driver or sledge hammer, about one foot from the foundation near the service entrance. Drive the rod to below soil level. Using a shovel, dig a six-inch deep hole around the ground rod for easy access. Drill a hole through the siding using an electric drill and 1/2-inch bit. - 3). Remove the service panel by turning the panel screws counterclockwise with a screwdriver. Set the panel cover and screws aside. Knock out a 1/2-inch hole plate using electrical pliers on the right side of the panel near the ground bar connector. Insert a cable clamp into the hole and tighten the clamp nut wrench tight. Measure the distance to the ground rod from the ground bar.
- 4). Cut the No. 6 copper ground wire to length using electrical pliers. Dig a shallow two-inch deep trench to the foundation to bury the ground wire. Thread the wire through the drilled hole and clamp on the ground rod, using a ground rod clamp. Tighten the ground rod clamp bolt by turning the screw clockwise to be wrench tight. Cover the wire and the ground rod with soil. Use caulk on the siding hole to prevent air or moisture from entering the building around the ground wire. Insert the ground wire through the cable clamp and into the ground bus lug. Tighten the ground bus lug to create a solid electrical connection. Tighten the green lug on the neutral bus using a screwdriver to bond it to the ground bus.
- 5). Place a ground clamp on the copper water pipe inlet to the structure nearest the wall. If there is a water meter inside the house, place a second ground clamp on the house side of the meter. Tighten the clamps by turning the screws clockwise until the clamps are firmly attached. Measure the distance from the furthest ground clamp to the ground bar in the main panel.
- 6). Cut the No. 6 ground wire using electrical pliers and thread the wire through the ground clamps on the water pipe, creating a bonding jumper across the water meter. Use a screwdriver to tighten the wire lugs until a firm electrical connection is created. Run the ground wire to the service panel, securing the wire on joists every 54 inches, using electrical staples and a hammer.
- 7). Thread the copper ground wire through the cable clamp and through another ground lug on the ground bar. Tighten the ground lug screw using a screwdriver. Tighten the cable clamp using a screwdriver. Reattach the service panel cover, tightening the screws with a screwdriver. Take off the warning tag and switch the main panel breaker to the "On" position.
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