Understanding that mysterious GEC. Purpose and construction strategy.

[carultch]

Most try to avoid a raceway altogether. Once you get up to #6 AWG and larger can just use cable clamps. Most GEC are very short from the ground up and no conductors to run them with.

That works well when my rod/plate/or pipe is right there in the inverter room, and only authorized personnel can enter the room.

Not so well if I gotta run hundreds of feet to get from the inverters to the electrode. Maybe across open land, along the rooftop, thru occupied spaces, or other environments where everything is best kept in a raceway.

[Sunking]

Not so well if I gotta run hundreds of feet to get from the inverters to the electrode. Maybe across open land, along the rooftop, thru occupied spaces, or other environments where everything is best kept in a raceway.

Wait a minute, you just changed the whole picture in my head. Why are you having to run hundreds of feet?

[carultch]

Wait a minute, you just changed the whole picture in my head. Why are you having to run hundreds of feet?

Because that is where the inverters might be located. Hundreds of feet away from the main service equipment, to which it interconnects.

Sometimes it is on a rooftop.
Sometimes it is on a remote building.
Sometimes it is in a remote field for a ground-mounted array, yet still tied in to the building electrically.
Etc.

Maybe because there is no space in the main electrical room.
Maybe because I'm strategically meeting the contentious 690.12 with inverters on the roof, immediately adjacent to the array.
Maybe because the owner doesn't want the noisy inverters in the main building.
Maybe because 480 Volts three phase is more efficient at carrying power long distance than 420 Vdc.
Numerous reasons why we don't always have the luxury of putting everything right by the main service equipment and premises wiring electrode.

[Sunking]

Because that is where the inverters might be located. Hundreds of feet away from the main service equipment, to which it interconnects.

Sometimes it is on a rooftop.
Sometimes it is on a remote building.
Sometimes it is in a remote field for a ground-mounted array, yet still tied in to the building electrically.
Etc.

OK you can stop there because each scenario has different requirements. No way am I going to attempt to try to explain each situation. Example a pole mounted array detached from a building is treated as any AC service with no ground connection between them except the grounded circuit conductor.