5/16/2018 250.194 Grounding and Bonding of Fences and Other Metal Structures.

250.194 Grounding and Bonding of Fences and

Other Metal Structures.
Code Change Summary: A new code section was
added in part X of Article 250 to address grounding and
bonding of fences and other metal structures related to
substations.

Section 250.194 is new in Part X of Article 250 and

covers the grounding and bonding requirements for
metal structures and fences near a substation. Most
substations are utility owned and therefore not covered
in the NEC but once in a while, a substation is privately
owned and the NEC applies.

The new code section requires fencing to be bonded to

the grounding electrode system if the fencing is within
16 ft. of any exposed electrical conductors or
equipment. For these fences, a wire type bonding
jumper is required as follows:

Bonding jumpers are required at each fence Click to Enlarge

corner and at maximum 160 ft. intervals along the Some substations are privately owned and
fence. covered by the NEC. For these, bonding of the
fences is covered in 250.194.
Bonding jumpers are required on each side of the
crossing where bare overhead conductors cross
the fence.
Gates must be bonded to the gate support post, and each gate support post must be bonded to
the grounding electrode system.
Any gate or other opening in the fence must be bonded across the opening by a buried bonding
jumper.
The grounding grid or grounding electrode systems shall be extended to cover the swing of all
gates.
The barbed wire strands above the fence must be bonded to the grounding electrode system.

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5/16/2018 250.194 Grounding and Bonding of Fences and Other Metal Structures.

Below is a preview of the NEC. See the actual NEC text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code
section. Once there, click on the “free access” tab and select the applicable year of NFPA 70
(National Electrical code).

2014 Code Language:

250.194 Grounding and Bonding of Fences and Other
Metal Structures.
Metallic fences enclosing, and other metal structures in or
surrounding, a substation with exposed electrical
conductors and equipment shall be grounded and bonded
to limit step, touch, and transfer voltages.
(A) Metal Fences. Where metal fences are located within 5
m (16 ft) of the exposed electrical conductors or equipment,
the fence shall be bonded to the grounding electrode
system with wire-type bonding jumpers as follows:
(1) Bonding jumpers shall be installed at each fence
corner and at maximum 50 m (160 ft) intervals along
the fence.
(2) Where bare overhead conductors cross the fence,
bonding jumpers shall be installed on each side of the
crossing.
(3) Gates shall be bonded to the gate support post, and
each gate support post shall be bonded to the
grounding electrode system.
(4) Any gate or other opening in the fence shall be
bonded across the opening by a buried bonding
jumper.
(5) The grounding grid or grounding electrode systems
shall be extended to cover the swing of all gates.

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5/16/2018 250.194 Grounding and Bonding of Fences and Other Metal Structures.

(6) The barbed wire strands above the fence shall be

bonded to the grounding electrode system.

Electrical Continuing Education for Electrical License Renewal: 250.194 Grounding and Bonding
of Fences and Other Metal Structures. Question
When does the NEC require fencing surrounding a substation be bonded to the grounding
electrode system?
A: When the fencing is within 17 ft. of enclosed electrical equipment.
B: When the substation is owned by the utility company.
C: When the fencing is within 16 ft. of exposed electrical conductors or equipment.
D: When the closest overhead power line is 20 ft. from the perimeter fencing.
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