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July 16, 1998
From: Mario De leon 

I have been told that two separate grounds are required for residential
services.  Their reason behind this is if you lose one ground a second will
be available.  One ground is to the grounding rod and the other is to the
house copper piping.  Could you shed some light on this subject?

Note: Dual grounding is important especially where water systems are
brought into a house in plastic pipe. Grounding and bonding to the internal
copper system helps to limit the voltage to ground and may prevent electrical
shock and fires by giving stray voltages and unplanned currents a path to
ground, causing gfci or overcurrent protection devices to turn off the circuit.
In any case, when you have an installation question, your local wiring inspector
could be your best resource. Many code rules are confusing but compliance with
local codes is more important than understanding. :-)
(Chet)

July 9, 1998
From: smithmm@wipp.carlsbad.nm.us 

I work at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New
Mexico.  The Electrical Safety Committee is having a discussion as to
what constitutes "energized work"?  Here's the situation:  If an
electrician is going to work in an energized  electrical panel, but he
has installed pvc sheeting to guard the exposed energized parts, is it
still considered energized work?  Does he still need the required ppe?
Some of us say that the energized parts are guarded, so it is no longer
energized work.  Others of us say that it is still energized, even
though the live parts are guarded, and that all safety requirements for
energized work are in effect.  

Note: The question is sent because the submitter feels that the panel
must be worked on while it is energized. If you direct your comments
to me I will post them here until the question is removed from the site.
Please use the format above when submitting your advice, answer or question
(Chet)