Patent Application
20100203775
1. Field
The disclosed concept pertains generally to grounding apparatus and, more particularly, to grounding apparatus for a ground conductor and a plurality of other conductors. The disclosed concept also pertains to grounding systems including a grounding apparatus.
2. Background Information
It is known to employ a neutral bar to provide a common point for termination of a plurality of neutral conductors and one ground conductor in a panelboard or load center. Each of a plurality of screw terminals electrically and mechanically engages one end of a corresponding neutral or ground conductor.
It is known to employ a ground bar to provide a common point for termination of a plurality (e.g., six) of grounding and bonding conductors. Each of a plurality of screw terminals electrically and mechanically engages one end of a corresponding wire or ground conductor.
The 2008 National Electric Code (NEC) Section 250.94 provides the requirements for intersystem bonding termination. Under NEC 250.94, intersystem bonding and grounding connectors are to be provided external to enclosures at the service equipment and at the disconnecting mechanisms for any additional buildings or structures. Such an intersystem bonding termination device does not interfere with opening a service or metering equipment enclosure. Also, the intersystem bonding termination device has the capacity for connection of not less than three intersystem bonding conductors. NEC 250.94 covers, for example, bonding telephone, cable television (CATV) and satellite to a home's grounding system.
One proposal to address the requirements of NEC 250.94 provides a kit that clamps on a meter socket box. However, the kit damages the paint on the meter socket box and needs sealant to prevent the box from rusting. Also, since meter socket boxes come in many different sizes, the installer has to stock multiple different kit sizes.
Another proposal provides a lay-in intersystem grounding and bonding termination connector. The connector accommodates a grounding electrode conductor and four bonding taps and purports to offer fast, simple installation on the ground electrode conductor below a meter or panel without mounting. The structure of the connector prevents any mounting. The lay-in feature eliminates the need to cut or splice into an existing grounding electrode. The multiple bonding taps terminate up to four communication systems. Stainless steel screws provide corrosion resistance and serrations in the conductor wire way cut oxidation.
There is room for improvement in grounding apparatus.
There is also room for improvement in grounding systems employing a grounding apparatus.
These needs and others are met by embodiments of the disclosed concept.
In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed concept, a grounding apparatus comprises: an elongated conductive member comprising: a first end including an open jaw lug structured to receive and electrically and mechanically engage a portion of a ground conductor extending transverse to the elongated conductive member; an opposite second end; and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the opposite second end, wherein the intermediate portion includes a plurality of lugs, wherein each of the plurality of lugs is structured to receive and electrically and mechanically engage an end portion of a corresponding conductor, and wherein the intermediate portion further includes a plurality of mounting apertures.
As another aspect of the disclosed concept, a grounding system comprises: a mounting surface; a first ground conductor including a first end and a second end; a plurality of second ground conductors; and a grounding apparatus comprising: an elongated conductive member comprising: a first end including an open jaw lug structured to receive and electrically and mechanically engage a portion of the first ground conductor extending transverse to the elongated conductive member, the portion of the first ground conductor being different than the first and second ends thereof, an opposite second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the opposite second end of the elongated conductive member, wherein the intermediate portion includes a plurality of lugs, wherein each of the plurality of lugs is structured to receive and electrically and mechanically engage an end portion of a corresponding one of the second ground conductors, wherein the intermediate portion further includes a plurality of mounting apertures, and wherein each of a plurality of fasteners mounts the intermediate portion to the mounting surface at a corresponding one of the mounting apertures.
The intermediate portion may be a ground bar including a first one of the plurality of mounting apertures, the plurality of lugs, and a second one of the plurality of mounting apertures disposed along the elongated conductive member.
The second one of the plurality of mounting apertures may be disposed at the opposite second end of the intermediate portion.
The open jaw lug may include a first threaded opening receiving a first threaded screw lug; each of the plurality of lugs may include a second threaded opening receiving a second threaded screw lug; and the elongated conductive member may have a first thickness at about each of the plurality of mounting apertures, a second thickness at the intermediate portion, and a third thickness at the open jaw lug, the third thickness being greater than the second thickness, the second thickness being greater than the first thickness.
A full understanding of the disclosed concept can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The disclosed concept is described in association with a grounding apparatus, which meets the requirements of 2008 NEC Article 250.94, although the disclosed concept is applicable to a wide range of grounding apparatus.
Referring to
The elongated conductive member 4 includes a planar surface 26. The mounting apertures 24 are disposed through the planar surface 26. The open jaw lug 8 includes a first threaded opening 28 receiving a first threaded screw lug 30, and each of the plurality of lugs 18 includes a second threaded opening 32 receiving a second threaded screw lug 34. Each of the plurality of lugs 18 is structured to receive the end portion 20 of the corresponding conductor 22 (as shown in phantom line drawing in
A first mounting aperture 36 of the plurality of mounting apertures 24 is disposed between the open jaw lug 8 and a first lug 38 of the plurality of lugs 18. A second mounting aperture 40 of the plurality of mounting apertures 24 is disposed at the opposite second end 14 of the elongated conductive member 4 and is next to another lug 42 of the plurality of lugs 18.
The ground conductor 12 (shown in phantom line drawing in
The intermediate portion 16 is a ground bar 44 including the two example mounting apertures 36,40 and the plurality of lugs 18 disposed along the elongated conductive member 4. Although two mounting apertures 36,40 and four lugs 18 are shown, any suitable counts of mounting apertures and lugs can be employed.
Referring again to
The grounding apparatus 2 is structured to mount, for example and without limitation, on an enclosure (e.g., without limitation, a meter base; enclosure 53 of
The open jaw lug 8 of the grounding apparatus 2 is coupled to a new or existing ground conductor, such as 54 of
The example grounding apparatus 2 meets the requirements of 2008 NEC Article 250.94 where a central point of termination is employed to connect and bond all systems of a facility. The grounding apparatus 2 ensures a consistent path to ground and makes certain that all grounds are the same potential. Otherwise, each of the various systems in a facility has their own separate grounding electrode and, in essence, is a separate system. As a result, the separate systems could have a different resistance to ground due to the lack of commonality. Under 2008 NEC Article 250.94 with the example grounding apparatus 2, the separate systems (e.g., without limitation, telephone 82; cable television (CATV) 84; satellite 86; disconnect 88) all have the same grounding point and the same potential.
The grounding electrode conductor 90 of
The versatile grounding apparatus 2 saves time for the contractor, provides a safe and reliable termination, and meets the 2008 NEC requirements.
While specific embodiments of the disclosed concept have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the disclosed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.
