Can bare copper wire go directly into Earth before reaching grounding rod?

[Nonlin]

I've got my panels ground all linked up with bare solid 6 AWG copper wire.

I tested continuity but using the second ground hole as one point of contact on my multi meter and the bare copper wire as the second and there is continuity. Did this for each panel.

My question is, since my array is like 5 to 6 inches off the ground, is it ok for...

1. The copper wire to touch the ground.

2. to prevent damage/exposure if I directly burry it a few inches in the ground or does it need to go into conduit.

 

[upnorthandpersonal]

Ah, bare copper for earthing - now I understood your question in the other thread. I have no idea because here in Europe we don't use bare copper wire for earthing (they're yellow/green insulated). That said, I would be careful burying any cable without conduit - but I highly recommend checking local code.

 

[Nonlin]

Ah, bare copper for earthing - now I understood your question in the other thread. I have no idea because here in Europe we don't use bare copper wire for earthing (they're yellow/green insulated). That said, I would be careful burying any cable without conduit - but I highly recommend checking local code.

Well for PV Arrays it seems like one can, at least in the US, and from there I take it to a ground wire that is rated for direct burial. But since my PV array is ground mounted the copper wire is pretty close to Earth and may in fact touch Earth.

 

[upnorthandpersonal]

Having the ground wire touch earth should not be an issue: earth is the 0V reference in grounding after all, and that's the potential that wire should be at.

 

[Nonlin]

Having the ground wire touch earth should not be an issue: earth is the 0V reference in grounding after all, and that's the potential that wire should be at.

And my understanding is that Copper does well underground forming a protective coating even, so if it were a few inches underground that shouldn't ruin the grounding setup right? THe only concern is local code and physical damage to wire ?

 

[upnorthandpersonal]

THe only concern is local code and physical damage to wire ?

In principle, yes.

 

[Nonlin]

In principle, yes.

In not principle something unpredictable?
What do most folks do in this situation? Just run it through conduit?

 

[upnorthandpersonal]

Make sure it's thick enough (your 6 AWG should do), protected from accidental damage, and I would put it deeper than just a few inches.

 

[Mattb4]

I've got my panels ground all linked up with bare solid 6 AWG copper wire.

I tested continuity but using the second ground hole as one point of contact on my multi meter and the bare copper wire as the second and there is continuity. Did this for each panel.

My question is, since my array is like 5 to 6 inches off the ground, is it ok for...

1. The copper wire to touch the ground.

2. to prevent damage/exposure if I directly burry it a few inches in the ground or does it need to go into conduit.

Bare ground wire is often buried. Just makes a better ground.

 

[Supervstech]

We tamp any solid grounding conductors into the ground below turf, etc.
Solid conductor 6awg and larger does not require protection.