What does the National Electrical Code NEC say about running separate ground wires?

Answer 1

From the 2011 NEC, Section 250.130 states, in part, "For replacement of non-grounding-type receptacles with grounding-type receptacles...connections shall be permitted as indicated in 250.130(C)."

Section 250.130 (C) states in its entirety,

"(C) Nongrounding Receptacle Replacement or Branch

Circuit Extensions. The equipment grounding conductor

of a grounding-type receptacle or a branch-circuit extension

shall be permitted to be connected to any of the following:

(1) Any accessible point on the grounding electrode system

as described in 250.50

(2) Any accessible point on the grounding electrode conductor

(3) The equipment grounding terminal bar within the enclosure

where the branch circuit for the receptacle or

branch circuit originates

(4) For grounded systems, the grounded service conductor

within the service equipment enclosure"

(5) For ungrounded systems, the grounding terminal bar

within the service equipment enclosure"

Now for some of my thoughts. It sounds like what you got was adequate. It was correct except for he should have used green or bare conductor, not white, unless he used green tape near the end of the conductor to designate it as green. This tape would be inside the box but I would have marked it outside the box also if it is visible.

I would have run this conductor as close as possible and preferably attached to the existing circuit conductors.

Looping the conductor as you have stated is not the best installation, in my view, but if you have at least 6 inches from the entry of the conductor to the grounding terminal and another 6 inches before it leaves the box, this is ok. The code does not require this 6 inches if the conductor isn't spliced but in your application it should be since, in my view, it should have been spliced.

Solid or stranded is of no significance.

While I have quoted the 2011 NEC in my answer, I do not expect this has changed any in recent years.

The use of the word "bonding" by your electrician was technically incorrect but "bonding" and "grounding" are sometimes used synonymously. They are different but often look alike to the untrained eye. Even electricians often misuse these terms and fail to understand the difference. It takes someone like myself who is a little anal retentive to use the terms properly.

I hope you will acknowledge my answer as I am particularly interested to know if you got it.