Mike Holt Enterprises Electrical News Source

Elimination of Equipment Grounding Conductor to Boat Docks Proposed for Virginia

It was brought to my attention that a proposal has been submitted to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to change regulations in the Virginia Construction Code to eliminate the requirement for the circuit equipment grounding conductor to boat docks.

I believe that this is a violation of the National Electrical Code 250.4(A)(3) and 250.4(A)(5), and the basis for that can be found in my video Electrical Safety Fundamentals. Please watch this video in its entirety (1 hour, 13 minutes), and if you feel motivated, or have any feedback for or against this proposal you can contact Nicole Donaldson at DHCD, or proponents Jim Erler or Neil Harrington.

Related documents - links below:
Press Release: Electric Shock Drowning Hazards at Docks: Call to Action
Proposal to Remove Electric Shock Drowning Hazard at Residential Docks
Stray Voltage Common Around Docks

Comments
  • Im following this also for I purchased a home on Kerr Lake and while doing some maintenance on my dock I got a tingle when in the water and touched my dock, so I got my fluke meter and tested from the aluminum dock to the water and I had 4.862 volts I disconnected the EGC going to the dock like the email is talking about and the voltage went away, so I have disconnect all wiring to the dock until I hear more about this. I only have a branch circuit going to my dock for a light and outlets it's on a 20A GFCI breaker. I'm thinking of driving a ground rod at the base of the light pole where the power comes from the house to the dock and tie it to the EGC in the J-Box at the top of the pole and see if this would fix the problem. Would really like to hear more about this issue.

    Will Carpenter  September 30 2019, 11:58 am EDT
  • Reply from: Mike Holt   September 30 2019, 8:12 pm EDT
    That is not going to fix the problem, because you don't have a problem that can be fixed. Watch the video, and pay attention to my recommendation. Simply disconnect 'ALL' electrical power to your dock. If you have a boat lift, then change it from 120/240Vac to 24Vdc. You at the moment are measuring NEV voltage - watch www.youtube.com/embed/mpgAVE4UwFw


Reply to this comment
* Your Name:
   Your name will appear under your comments.

* Your Email:
   Your email address is not displayed.
* Comments:

Email Notification Options:
Notify me when a reply is posted to this comment
Notify me whenever a comment is posted to this newsletter