What exactly is 6 AWG stranded grounding wire usually used for?
It okorder /... click on the bottom picture the grounding wire is indicated. there are many pictures here images.google.ca/images?hl=ensou... Guru
To connect parts of the electrical system that you want to stay very near Earth potential to the actual Earth. They carry lightning strike current to the Earth if the electrical system is struck. Ground wires and grounding electrodes metal stakes driven into the Earth they connect to) keep the exposed metal parts of appliances safely close to Earth potential when there is an insulation failure inside the appliance that connects those parts to the the hot side of the circuit. The ground path resistance has to be low to soak up this fault current while keeping the appliance case voltage below about 50 volts (above which you might get a serious shock) until a protective device (fuse, circuit breaker or ground fault breaker) opens the hot line. So its main purposes are lightning protection and shock prevention. -- Regards, John Popelish
In a nutshell: a) Verify that your service drop has the capacity for the additional load - verify this with your utility. b) If you are planning to install a 200A service in the barn, and you are planning to bury the wire, you will need to use 3-0 wire in a conduit. Use separate conductors. Check with your local electrical inspector, but I do not believe you will need to run a separate ground within the conduit for this application. The code may have changed, however. c) You will need to install a 200A fused safety-switch at the pole, and a new 200A panel in the barn. d) The barn panel will also have a 200A main disconnect breaker in it. e) You will need to install an additional ground-rod (or rods) at the barn panel. 1. DO NOT use old/used wire. 2. Consider running triplex wire overhead as it will be less expensive and equally effective. 3. Get the work inspected by an underwriter - your fire insurance will be voided if you do not. Lastly, it is not rocket science, but the codes and standards that apply are there for a reason - follow them carefully and fully and you will be fine.
