InPhase277

The pic is illustrating the points at which the NEC allows the neutral/ground bond. Only one is allowed per system. It can occur at the service drop (a very rare beast indeed), or in the meter socket (if the AHJ or POCO allows it), or more commonly in the first disconnecting means.

sparks134

your not supose to use a green wire or tape!!

__________________
Its not just a job, it's a career!!!

kbsparky

In most areas, bonding of the neutral occurs at two places: In the meter box, and at the service disconnecting means. This is due to the designs of most meter box enclosures: The neutral terminal is not isolated from the enclosure. Since most power companies do not allow for access once energized (they seal the meter boxes), they also do not allow for the grounding electrode conductor to be present in there.

Therefore, it can be standard practice to bond the neutral at the service disconnect, and from that point on, the neutrals and grounds are kept separated.

__________________
-KB

Life is uncertain -- eat dessert first!

RIVETER

In some rural areas the EGC is attached to the neutral at the drip loop...My cabin is that way. It does make sense, as Bobelectric said, to ground the neutral outside of the premises. Why bring the lightning INSIDE only to take it back outside?

Stator

True. Also don't forget all new homes (in my area anyways) all have plastic water piping. Grounding the neutral at the meter base is the way I like to do it. Plus if your installing a lets say 5 gang meter base for a town home complex, you can now ground the neutral at the meter base like I stated. Then run Teck cable to all the units and you save on having to run your main grouind to the water pipe (If it is metal of course). All you would need is a small peace of ground to basically just jump the water meter from house side to street side, and of course the gas line.

Put's some more money in our pockets!