Is an Equipment Grounding Conductor Needed?

[jar546]

Let's say you are inspecting a generator swap, no panels, just a generator swap. As you inspect the terminations inside the generator J-Box that has a furnished main breaker. Based on the article 250, you expect to see 3/0 copper equipment grounding conductors run between the transfer switch and the generator. When the electrician opens the panel for you, you don't see any EGCs. Upon asking the electrician, his response is that the old generator did not have any and the generator is fed with 3 large EMTs that count as EGCs. This is what you see. Is this a violation? If so, what code section was violated?

 

[jar546]

Why yes, an equipment grounding conductor is required. In this case it requires a 3/0 copper in each of the three 4" conduits.
You can't use flexible metallic conduit as a ground like you could with EMT in this application because it is greater than 20A.
Who can tell us what code section covers the need for the EGC and why the FMC cannot be used?

 

[chris kennedy]

I’ll guess
250.118(5) via 348.60?

 

[jar546]

I’ll guess
250.118(5) via 348.60?

Wow, looks like we are on the same page.
348.60 covers the product and how it is used (FMC) and it refers you to 250.118(5) which has specifics about FMC grounding and bonding.

Anyone come up with anything else or disagree?