Installing 2nd 30 amp 120vac circuit

MeandMyLabs wrote:
I am in the process of installing a 2nd 30 amp circuit in the garage of my TH. Mainly, all the wall receptacles are on 1-15 amp circuit and when I run my oxygen concentrator, I barely have enough power left for TV and definitely not enough for an electric heater. My plan is to install a second 30 amp 120vac entrance to two circuits. One circuit will be used for wall receptacles in the garage and one running to the counter. The second circuit will be designated for an additional ac in the garage area.

By installing a 2nd 30 amp entrance, I have more flexibility. I can of course connect with two 30 amp plugins if available or one entrance can be attached to the 50 amp (with the proper adapter) and the second to a 30 amp or I can use the 30 amp and 20 amp circuits with the appropriate adapter on the 20 amp. One other alternative I will have is using a 50 amp 240VAC and a Y adapter (which I have) for two 30 ampVAC circuits.

My question is, do I need to run a ground wire to the frame of the TH on my new entrance. I am guessing not but needing to be sure before finishing this job. Please, if you do not know the answer avoid speculation and you can learn along with the rest of us. Your help will be sincerely appreciated.

I have exactly what you are planning and it has been a god send to solving all my power limitations. On your specific question about grounding the second service to the frame it appears that it should be at least for the main service. Since we are talking about connecting the earth ground from the frame back to the main panel on the pedestal, I'm not sure what duplicating that bond in your second service gives you over what you already have since it runs back to the same main panel as your original 30 A service so I'm still not clear on the correct answer to your question, but grounding the second service to the frame can't hurt since it will only be basically duplicating what has already been done except that it will now provide a more direct ground path and that can't be bad. One very important and safety point is DO NOT bond the neutral to the ground in the distribution box in your TH since that is a definite NO NO. On reflection I can't remember if I did in fact ground my second service to the frame and is something I now need to double check and if missing it will be very simple to do.

Thus as of my posting I'm in the Camp that I'm not sure your actual question has gotten the correct answer yet. As I see it the issue is as it relates to a second 120A service being installed where the first service has been wired and grounded correctly.

I'll be watching to see if an answer is given with the reasoning or specific reference to something that covers this exact configuration is offered which as of my posting I haven't seen. Remember I'm not saying it isn't needed/required, just that I haven't seen what I considered a valid answer with justification yet.

Larry