bcla
On our rugged Eastern foothills.....
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2012
Basic electrical knowledge says grounding to water pipes is bad - and a code violation. In Iraq, a soldier was killed in the shower because someone grounded to water pipes.
One who made many erroneous denials also did not know why water pipes are not safe grounds.
For surge protection, an earth ground must both meet and exceed code requirements.
Uh - no. I only said that that was was a typical recommendation, as in used to be. I looked up the code requirements in California, or at least one county that mentions it by reference to the California Electrical Code. That recommends (for modifications but not new contruction) that if the water pipes are used to ground, that a supplemental electrode be used.
http://www.cccounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/44642/RESIDENTIAL-GROUNDING-AND-BONDING
BUILDING INSPECTION MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Any work involving adding sub-panels, upgrade of electrical service, change of water service (if using a less conductive material than is existing), re-piping of a structure, or adding circuits (if no grounding system exists) will require upgrading of the grounding and bonding of the electrical service. A permit is required for each of these upgrades/remodels. Following are general grounding and bonding requirements based on the 2016 California Electrical Code. Please contact the Building Inspection Division for any questions or additional information.
Grounding
Grounding shall consist of a continuous grounding electrode conductor run from the panel to a grounding electrode. Grounding of the electrical service at the main water line must be within the first 5’ of water piping into the building. The underground water service shall not be used as the grounding electrode without a supplemental electrode. 2 grounding rods may be used as a grounding electrode system. (CEC 250.52 (A) (1) and 250.53, 250.68)
For new structures and additions to existing structures, a concrete encased ground electrode shall be installed. This shall consist of 20’ of 1⁄2" bare or zinc-coated rebar or bare copper wire in the portion of the footing in contact with earth. (CEC 250.52)
For existing structures, the grounding electrode shall be nonferrous (copper), listed, and not be less than 5/8" in diameter. The electrode shall be installed such that at least 8’ of length is in contract with the soil. The upper end of the electrode shall be flush with or below ground level unless the above-ground end and the grounding electrode conductor attachment is protected against physical damage. (CEC 250.52 (A)(5), 250.64(B))
BUILDING INSPECTION MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Any work involving adding sub-panels, upgrade of electrical service, change of water service (if using a less conductive material than is existing), re-piping of a structure, or adding circuits (if no grounding system exists) will require upgrading of the grounding and bonding of the electrical service. A permit is required for each of these upgrades/remodels. Following are general grounding and bonding requirements based on the 2016 California Electrical Code. Please contact the Building Inspection Division for any questions or additional information.
Grounding
Grounding shall consist of a continuous grounding electrode conductor run from the panel to a grounding electrode. Grounding of the electrical service at the main water line must be within the first 5’ of water piping into the building. The underground water service shall not be used as the grounding electrode without a supplemental electrode. 2 grounding rods may be used as a grounding electrode system. (CEC 250.52 (A) (1) and 250.53, 250.68)
For new structures and additions to existing structures, a concrete encased ground electrode shall be installed. This shall consist of 20’ of 1⁄2" bare or zinc-coated rebar or bare copper wire in the portion of the footing in contact with earth. (CEC 250.52)
For existing structures, the grounding electrode shall be nonferrous (copper), listed, and not be less than 5/8" in diameter. The electrode shall be installed such that at least 8’ of length is in contract with the soil. The upper end of the electrode shall be flush with or below ground level unless the above-ground end and the grounding electrode conductor attachment is protected against physical damage. (CEC 250.52 (A)(5), 250.64(B))