Meter and grounding electrode conductor
What's wrong here?
- The grounding electrode conductor is spliced with a split-bolt connector
- A 200 A service needs at least a 4 AWG copper conductor to the ground rod
- A bare grounding electrode conductor may not be run exposed on the outside of the building
- Nothing. This installation is compliant
Show the answer and the code reference
The answer
The wire-type grounding electrode conductor has a splice made with a split-bolt, which is a reversible mechanical connector not permitted for a GEC splice.
Correct choice: 1. The grounding electrode conductor is spliced with a split-bolt connector
250.64(C) requires the grounding electrode conductor to be installed in one continuous length without a splice or joint, except as permitted in 250.64(C)(1) through (C)(4). For a wire-type GEC, 250.64(C)(1) allows a splice only with an irreversible compression-type connector listed as grounding and bonding equipment, or by exothermic welding. A split-bolt is a bolted, reversible connector, so it doesn't qualify. Outdoors in Minnesota, frost cycling and corrosion loosen it over the years, and a loose GEC splice can quietly cut the service off from its electrode.
How to fix it
Replace the spliced section with one continuous conductor from the meter socket's grounding terminal to the electrode clamp. Where a splice can't be avoided, cut out the split-bolt and join the conductors with a listed irreversible compression connector crimped with the proper die, or with an exothermic weld.
Code references
NEC 2023 250.64(C)(1) — Continuous
Splicing of a wire-type grounding electrode conductor is permitted only by irreversible compression-type connectors listed as grounding and bonding equipment or by the exothermic welding process.
Drills citing 250.64(C)(1)NEC 2023 250.64(C) — Continuous
Except as provided in 250.30(A)(5) and (A)(6), 250.30(B)(1), and 250.68(C), grounding electrode conductors shall be installed in one continuous length without a splice or joint; where necessary, splices or connections shall be made as permitted in 250.64(C)(1) through (C)(4).
Drills citing 250.64(C)NEC 2023 250.66(A) — Connections to a Rod, Pipe, or Plate Electrode(s)
Where the GEC is connected to rod, pipe, or plate electrodes and does not extend to other electrode types, that portion of the GEC is not required to be larger than 6 AWG copper or 4 AWG aluminum.
Drills citing 250.66(A)
2026 NEC:same rule and number. A 2026 grounding-changes summary says 250.64(C) still requires GEC splices to be irreversible compression connectors listed as grounding and bonding equipment or exothermic welds, so a split-bolt splice is still not allowed. The same summary says something about accessible-location splices and a removed exception, but it contradicts itself, so check the 2026 wording of 250.64(C). Confidence: low
Minnesota
Minnesota adopts the NEC as published, with no section-by-section amendments (Minn. Stat. 326B.35; Minn. Rules 1315.0200), so 250.64 and 250.66 read the same as in the 2023 NEC. The 2023 NEC governs permits filed from July 1, 2023 until the 2026 NEC took effect; for newer permits, check the section numbers in the 2026 edition. The serving utility may have its own rules about grounding connections in or at the meter socket, so check its service standards.
How Minnesota adopts the NECWhy the other choices are wrong
- A 200 A service needs at least a 4 AWG copper conductor to the ground rod. 250.66(A) caps the GEC to a rod, pipe, or plate electrode at 6 AWG copper no matter how large the service is.
- A bare grounding electrode conductor may not be run exposed on the outside of the building. 250.64(B)(1) permits a 6 AWG or larger GEC that is not exposed to physical damage to run along the building surface without metal covering or protection, as long as it is securely fastened.
- Nothing. This installation is compliant. A grounding electrode conductor may be spliced only with irreversible compression connectors listed for grounding and bonding, or by exothermic welding.