How do I connect a ground wire to the water pipe?

Quackerjack

Well I found out that there isn't a ground wire running from my breaker box to the incoming water supply pipe. This sounds like something I can do myself but I can't find anything online about how exactly to go about this (how to make the bond, type of wire to use, where exactly to connect it, etc.). Does anyone know of a resource I can refer to?

k_buz

Install two of these, one before the meter and one after the meter.

__________________

Quackerjack

Thanks k_buz. I'm curious, why do I need to install it both before and after? Why not just on the city side of the meter?

Also, there isn't any particular designated place in my Federal Pioneer breaker box -- I guess I can just attach it to any of the ground screw spots?

stickboy1375

In case they need to remove the meter....

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

AllanJ

The wire (grounding electrode conductor) from the panel neutral bus is connected to the pipe clamp on the city side (within 5 feet of where the pipe exits the house underground and before the meter).

The wire between the two clamps one on each side of the meter is called a grounding jumper. Bonding jumpers are also highly recommended (required in some cities) between isolated sections of metal plumbing with plastic sections in between.

__________________
The disadvantages of crab apple trees. In summer, the apples are too sour to pick and eat. In winter the birds come and leave dropping all over the place.

bobelectric

100 amp-#6 cu.

150 amp -#6 cu.

200 amp - #4 cu.

Clean the line with fine sandpaper to get it shiny. Stay back from the joints and meter fittings.

Quackerjack

Thanks. But if the ground is connected on the city side of the meter, what difference would it make if the meter were ever removed?

stickboy1375

Because you are also bonding the metallic water piping system, so you can't have that bond compromised if the water meter was to be removed.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

TTW

You should also bond the hot water heater.

__________________
#1 - If you don't know what you're doing - get a licensed electrician!
#2 - If you follow my advice and something bad happens see # 1
Electricity bites hard, and it could be the last thing you feel... Good Luck!
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

danpik

Several years ago a water dept service tech, in my town, got seroiusly injured when breaking a connection on a water meter. From what I remember from it a neutral wire on an incoming service was disconnected (failed) on either the house he was in or a neighboring house. The neutral path then became the water pipe between the two houses and used the good neutral feed on the connected service. The water meter bonded the incoming service to the house water system. When he disconnected the meter, he became the bond to the two, now separate, water pipes and took the full load of the electrical power being used in the house. They now have a policy of using a jumper cable when pulling meters weather there is a meter bond in place or not.

tylernt

Should you do this for short copper stub-outs when the hot water heater is fed with Pex?

__________________
The above post is for entertainment purposes only. Its contents may, and probably will, lead to legal liability and damage or loss of property, life, or limb. Use at your own risk.

chemman

Is the reason for bonding the water heater the same as for bonding the meter?

Quackerjack

Ohh. So I guess there are circumstances where an electrical charge will go through your water pipes in the house even if the main electrical grounding is not attached to it.

zappa

It's a safety thing in case a hot wire is accidently touching the pipes. And to make sure grounds and any metallic items that you touch are at the same potential.

hidden1

Jumper any pressure regulators,shutoff valves, before water heater,etc And run ground to incoming pipe within 5 ft of entrance to home.