sub-panel off a sub-panal EGC question

[Angelfire]

Common sense tells me one thing but I know the codes don't always match my common sense .

I'm installing a subpanel fed from another subpanel. The existing subpanel has a main breaker and is connected to grounding rods with bare copper. I plan to use SER 2-2-2-4 (if I can find it cut to length locally...otherwise, will need to look for something else). I know the ground/neutral remain isolated at the new subpanel (as they are on the existing subpanel) but my question is whether I need to also run a bare copper from the new subpanel over to the ground rods? I would think not but thought I'd check just to be sure.

Also, is there any philosophy out there about re-orienting the panel to match where the feed is coming from? ie. my feed will come from the bottom and from the majority of panels I've seen, most keep the lugs on top....do you guys re-orient the panel to have the lugs at the bottom just to simplify the wiring and improve the overall wiring layout? I plan to run my circuits through the top. A plus for doing this is less wire cluttering things up but the downside is less wire in the event I ever have to chop a bit off due to corrosion or ???? It doesn't bother me either way, just thought I'd ask if there was a general approach to this.
Cheers.

Cheers.

 

[sberry]

If its in the same structure it does not need to go to the rods. I like to put msin breakers on top, main lug wouldn't matter so much.

 

[bczygan]

I'm mounting my main breaker sub in the garage upside down so the feed from the basement comes in to the main breaker from the bottom and the feeds to the garage circuits go out the top to the ceiling.

Bill

 

[Norcal]

I'm mounting my main breaker sub in the garage upside down so the feed from the basement comes in to the main breaker from the bottom and the feeds to the garage circuits go out the top to the ceiling.

Bill

The only way your panel will be "upside down", is a older design panel w/ a vertically mounted main breaker is used where ON is not up as required by the NEC.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

As Sberry pointed out, if this new subpanel is in the same Structure as the feeding subpanel then no u dont need rods.

 

[Angelfire]

As Sberry pointed out, if this new subpanel is in the same Structure as the feeding subpanel then no u dont need rods.

Different structure but already has a subpanel in it with ground rods installed. The "new" subpanel will be about 4' away from the current subpanel so don't need a main breaker in the new panel. Just wanted to verify I don't need to tie the new subpanel directly to the ground rods with bare copper. It of course will be tied into the existing subpanel with an EGC which then goes to the ground rods via bare copper....just thought I'd ask since I'm no expert on the codes.

So trying to track down 2-2-2-4 SER by the foot where I am as I only need about 8' of the stuff and it appears I won't need to plan for a bare copper to the ground rods....good stuff. Still need to decide whether to put lugs on the new panel at the top or bottom. Oh the dilemma.....haha.

 

[Aceman]

We almost always put the lugs at the end where the feeder enters. We flip panels upside down quite a bit if we have too.

It never made sense to me to put the lugs at the opposite end, then you'll have big wires crossing the panel taking up space on the sides where you need the room for the branch circuits.