Home air conditioner sub panel

[raco232]

I have two condensers I have a sub panel feeding them. The subpanel is mounted on the outside of my house at the condensers. I am getting new condensers installed but I have to move the subpanel to have the working clearance in front of it. I am moving it about 4’ to the right. I am just going to use the current subpanel as a junction box and install a new one. So my question is does it need a grounding electrode? Currently there is only two hots and a ground feeding the current subpanel. I don’t know why the electrician who wire the house did it this way and it is going to be very difficult to pull new wire from the panel inside and feed the condensers with two breakers. So, does the new sub need a grounding electrode or not?

 

[rlitman]

It needs a grounding electrode, but if everything served by it is 240V, it does not need a neutral. So your two hots and a ground are fine for these purposes, but you cannot use it for 120V or 120/240V appliances.

 

[alfredeneuman]

A subpanel in the same structure doesn't need a grounding electrode.
Only detached structures need them
"The subpanel is mounted on the outside of my house at the condensers."

 

[wyliesdiesels]

It needs a grounding electrode, but if everything served by it is 240V, it does not need a neutral. So your two hots and a ground are fine for these purposes, but you cannot use it for 120V or 120/240V appliances.

Incorrect

 

[Terry D]

No grounding electrode, just equipment ground

Sent from my SM-G960U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[raco232]

The sub panel is 240v w/ground, no neutral and is mounted to the exterior brick wall of my home. I put a ground rod in yesterday, but I got thinking that was probably not necessary, since the panel is attached to the home. That is why I am asking here, is it necessary or not? Is it ok to leave it or should I remove the #6 bare copper?

 

[Bert_]

Just move one of the condensing units over. Seems a lot easier seeing as that's what's getting replaced.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The sub panel is 240v w/ground, no neutral and is mounted to the exterior brick wall of my home. I put a ground rod in yesterday, but I got thinking that was probably not necessary, since the panel is attached to the home. That is why I am asking here, is it necessary or not? Is it ok to leave it or should I remove the #6 bare copper?

several people already answered your question

you wasted your money

it wont harm anything to leave it

 

[jeepxj]

no one ever got hurt from too much ground.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

no one ever got hurt from too much ground.

the wallet did

 

[raco232]

Thanks guys for the different answers! I’ll just leave what I’ve got and go forward.

 

[jeepxj]

the wallet did

I guess my wallet is on the payroll. money goes in and disappears

 

[sberry]

Its just a couple extra bucks you were not required to do. No big deal and a more local rod for the outside equipment cant really hurt.
Generally,, the code isn't really meant to make the best design,, but in basic areas the standards are pretty good, doesn't mean the minimum standard is inadequate,,, look at all the 12 wire do work 14 would easily do. In theory we can tend to know how something was done by when it was done and everyone tries to do it the same way.
A weakness we see here is spec built garages with a single circuit. A modern garage should be wired about like a modern kitchen. 2 separate small appliance circuits and dedicates for the built in or known loads.

 

[sberry]

Isnt it Canada they don't use rods, simply 4 wires?

 

[raco232]

Isnt it Canada they don't use rods, simply 4 wires?

What you talkin’ about Willis?

 

[sberry]

We get comments here from some place says they don't use rods at second structures.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

IIRC canadian code doesnt require rods at detached structures which makes no sense to me.