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Warning: I keep seeing guys skip the panel ground on retrofits

Some techs think the old ground is fine, but I had a system in a 1978 ranch fail its inspection last month because the ground wire was corroded. Do you always run a new ground, or just check the old one?
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3 Comments
jordancoleman
Dude, preach. Last year I pulled a panel cover on a 1980s house and the ground wire literally snapped when I touched it (just crumbled in my fingers, like old dry spaghetti). Failed the inspection anyway because the inspector wanted a new rod too, not just the wire. Now I always run fresh ground from the panel to a new rod, even if the old one looks okay. Saves the headache of coming back.
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oliver_mitchell
Honestly that's a solid warning to share. Seen the same thing happen with old aluminum wire grounds that just crumble. Always running a new one now just to be safe.
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andrewt41
andrewt412mo ago
Even the new ground wire can fail if it's not bonded right.
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