Is it safe and within code to run a single solid bare copper ground of 8 or 10 gauge across all of my Unirac SolarMount Evolution rails or am I supposed to have a separate ground for each branch?
3 Branches: 16 panels, 16 panels, 14 panels
Enphase MicroInverters M215
Unirac SM Evolution Rails
The ground, in question is running back to my AC combiner / load center with circuit breakers. I'd like to run two strands of solid copper for all rails. Two branches are side-by-side and it would be convenient to run a bare ground across all rails but I don't know if this is safe.
Submitted
12 years ago
Comments
#10 is usually adequate from a purely electrical standpoint, but most AHJs (Inspectors) require a #8 - it's much more sturdy and it will last a long time.
You can use a continuous wire - in fact, you need to. Even if you were joining two ground conductors, you'd need to use a non-reversible weld or crimp sleeve - that's why most installers use one wire for an array this size. They will capture every point that needs to be bonded, and then run it to the common ground or ground rod.