{"id":14074,"date":"2024-05-19T13:21:06","date_gmt":"2024-05-19T13:21:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/?p=14074"},"modified":"2024-05-20T20:44:07","modified_gmt":"2024-05-20T20:44:07","slug":"final-electric-ground-rods-and-flagged-for-underground-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2024\/05\/final-electric-ground-rods-and-flagged-for-underground-power\/","title":{"rendered":"Final Electric: Ground Rods and Flagged for Underground Power"},"content":{"rendered":"

We did not need an electrician to set up our modular cabin. All the wiring was done by Westwood Cabins<\/strong>, www.westwoodcabins.com<\/a> and the electric meter was already mounted.<\/p>\n

I keep thinking we are done, but there are still things I didn’t think of.<\/p>\n

The only part of the electrical system that can\u2019t be installed before they deliver the house is the ground rods. Now that the plumbing inspection is finished and we can cover up the work, the ground rods can go in.<\/p>\n

What are ground rods for?<\/h2>\n

Ground rods* give electricity a path to the ground. If there is a power surge or the cabin gets struck by lightning, electricity will have a path of least resistance into the ground instead of blowing up appliances or electrocuting someone.<\/p>\n

Grounding is the method used to connect an electrical system to the earth with a wire. Grounding adds critical protection against electric shock and electrocution by using a grounding rod to provide a third path for conducting electricity in the event of a short circuit or an overload. Grounding will help protect the person working on the system, the system itself, and any appliances and equipment that are connected to the system.<\/p>\n

Understanding Your Home Electrical System
\nElectrical Safety Foundation (ESFI)<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"
He pounded the rods in with a post driver, then finished with a sledge hammer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A ground rod is just a long metal rod. One end of the rod has a point on it. \u00a0Taylor Fowler, Fowler Excavating<\/a><\/strong> pounded two of them into the ground. He started them with a post driver tool and finished with a sledge hammer.<\/p>\n

The ground rods need to be 8 feet apart, close to the electric panel and far enough away from the cabin to not hit the footers as they are pounded in.<\/p>\n

We know exactly where the foundation is, so we didn’t have to go the 2-feet out that is suggested.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The copper wire (grounding electrode conductor) is connected inside the electric panel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ground rods connect to the cabin with a grounding electrode conductor, bare 6-gauge copper wire.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The copper wire (grounding electrode conductor) is connected inside the electric panel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Copper wire\u00a0 runs from the ground rods to the electric panel to act as a conductor.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The copper wire (grounding electrode conductor) is connected inside the electric panel. It runs underground to the ground rods.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The wire is connected inside the electric panel and attached to the wall. Then it runs through a shallow trench to the rods. There is a little slack in the wire so it has a little give instead of easily being tugged loose.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The copper wire (grounding electrode conductor) runs through a shallow trench from panel connection to the rods.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The wire gives electricity a low resistance route to the rods.<\/p>\n

This critical safety feature is designed to greatly reduce your chance of shock or electrocution should a short circuit occur. Grounding wires are connected directly to the earth through a metal grounding rod or a cold water pipe. Should a short circuit or an overload occur, any extra electricity will find its way along the grounding wire to the earth.<\/p>\n

Understanding Your Home Electrical System
\nElectrical Safety Foundation (ESFI)<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"
The copper wire is a grounding electrode conductor. It is clamped to the ground rod with a clamp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Taylor ran a copper wire to each ground rod and clamped them on with grounding clamps.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The copper wire (grounding electrode conductor) is connected inside the electric panel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After the final inspection, we can bury everything and finally get electricity.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Duke Energy flags mark the underground route from the pedestal to the cabin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bringing Power to the Cabin<\/h2>\n

Subcontractors for Duke Energy have visited half a dozen times, talked to us and taken photos. Now they have put in flags. We have the route for electricity to the cabin.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Duke Energy has marked the route for underground power. It starts at the pedestal on Dartmouth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It seems like the most convoluted way to get power to the cabin. There are three pedestals near us and they chose the one that is the furthest away. There is probably a reason.<\/p>\n

The route starts at the pedestal in front of our neighbor’s house and runs along the property line.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Duke Energy flags mark the route for underground power.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The underground power line will turn the corner, run along the waterway, then run under it.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Duke Energy flags mark the route for underground power under the waterway to the cabin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The power will cross the waterway here, so it will have to be pretty deep.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Duke Energy flags mark the route for underground power under the waterway to the cabin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It looks like they expect to go under the waterway at an angle. We have requested another inspection for Monday.<\/p>\n

*In some areas it is called \u201cearthing\u201d instead of grounding.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We did not need an electrician to set up our modular cabin. All the wiring was done by Westwood Cabins, www.westwoodcabins.com and the electric meter was already mounted. I keep thinking we are done, but there are still things I didn’t think of. The only …<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14090,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14074","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-cottage"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/featured-ground_rods.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13580,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2024\/02\/cabin-progress-report\/","url_meta":{"origin":14074,"position":0},"title":"Cabin Progress Report","author":"Carla","date":"February 22, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"I've been asked for a floor plan with a progress list with links, so here it is. Click to Open a printable floor plan with measurements Westwood Cabin Floor Plan and Front Elevation Modified Creekside Manor 3016 14'-8\" x 52'-0\" Approved for North Carolina This is where we are at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Modular Cabin"","block_context":{"text":"New Modular Cabin","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/new-cottage\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/featured-june.jpg?fit=1200%2C638&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/featured-june.jpg?fit=1200%2C638&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/featured-june.jpg?fit=1200%2C638&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/featured-june.jpg?fit=1200%2C638&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/featured-june.jpg?fit=1200%2C638&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8607,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2020\/11\/eagle-vista-1376-square-foot-cabin-kit\/","url_meta":{"origin":14074,"position":1},"title":"Eagle Vista 1376 Square Foot Cabin Kit","author":"Carla","date":"November 8, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The Allwood Eagle Vista Cabin Kit has nearly everything you need to build a makes a larger Nordic Spruce log home. More Information on Amazon > Layout Choose the layout you want. The cabin is 1376 square foot, 697 square foot on the ground floor with a 679 square foot\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "House Plans"","block_context":{"text":"House Plans","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/house-plans\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Eagle Vista 1376 Square Foot Cabin Kit","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/featured-eagle_vista.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/featured-eagle_vista.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/featured-eagle_vista.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/featured-eagle_vista.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8599,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2020\/11\/eagle-point-1108-square-foot-cabin-kit\/","url_meta":{"origin":14074,"position":2},"title":"Eagle Point 1108 Square Foot Cabin Kit","author":"Carla","date":"November 7, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The Eagle Point Cabin Kit is a made-to-order custom log cabin kit from Allwood. It makes a practical log home with a contemporary design. It has 2-3\/4 inch thick walls with dual tongue and groove wind block. The walls, roof and floor are of Nordic Spruce, a durable slow grown\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "House Plans"","block_context":{"text":"House Plans","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/house-plans\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Eagle Point 1108 Square Foot Cabin Kit","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/featured-eagle_point.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/featured-eagle_point.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/featured-eagle_point.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/featured-eagle_point.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13175,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2024\/01\/electric-meter-electrical-panel-electric-panel-load-calculation-small-modular-cabin-construction-power\/","url_meta":{"origin":14074,"position":3},"title":"Electric Meter, Electrical Panel, Electric Panel Load Calculation – Small Modular Cabin Construction: Power","author":"Carla","date":"January 8, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Westwood Cabins will build a cabin to your own plans. We showed them our plan and, after they worked it out for us, we realized we liked one of their standard plans better. We made some tweaks, but our plan is nearly identical to the Creekside Manor 3016. We made\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Modular Homes"","block_context":{"text":"Modular Homes","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/modular\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/featured-electric_panel.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/featured-electric_panel.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/featured-electric_panel.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/featured-electric_panel.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13454,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2024\/02\/leveling-the-building-site-digging-the-footers-and-footer-inspection-small-modular-cabin\/","url_meta":{"origin":14074,"position":4},"title":"Leveling the Building Site, Digging the Footers and Footer Inspection: Small Modular Cabin","author":"Carla","date":"February 7, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"As soon as we got the permit, they started cutting into the bank to make a level building site. This will be the back of the house.\u00a0 The site seemed pretty level already, but now it is really level. He cut the top of the lot and pushed the topsoil\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Modular Cabin"","block_context":{"text":"New Modular Cabin","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/new-cottage\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/featured-footers.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/featured-footers.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/featured-footers.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/featured-footers.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11751,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2023\/05\/diy-4-bedroom-2-bath-log-cabin-kit\/","url_meta":{"origin":14074,"position":5},"title":"DIY 4 Bedroom, 2 Bath Log Cabin Kit","author":"Carla","date":"May 3, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"A log cabin kit showed up in my Facebook Marketplace feed this morning. 4 Beds 2 Baths House - $66,477 1124 square feet 4 bedroom, 2 bath log home kit. The Woodham 1 is a solid wood home using 70mm (2-3\/4\u2033) thick wall logs.\u00a0 This model has a foot print\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "House Plans"","block_context":{"text":"House Plans","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/house-plans\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"EZ Log Structures","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/featured-log_cabin_kit.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/featured-log_cabin_kit.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/featured-log_cabin_kit.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/featured-log_cabin_kit.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14074","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14074"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14074\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14106,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14074\/revisions\/14106"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14090"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14074"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14074"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14074"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}