KE2KB, are you quoting NEC or local codes on the jumper wire around the water meter? I don't know what good that would do around here, all water service piping leaving the main is plastic, and then PVC from the meter to the home(s). I've never seen the jumper on the water heater piping here either. Not to say it may not be NEC and no one follows it, these may be local codes in your area. Thanks, David
2005 NEC 250.104 section A(1) pretty much states that metal water piping needs to be bonded to the SE grounding system.
The conductor bypassing the water meter is apparently required in my case because the SE grounding conductor is bonded on the street side of the meter, and the meter cannot be part of the grounding system.
I have to look further for the requirement on bypassing the water meter, but I would think that if the entire metallic piping system needs to be bonded to the SE ground, then the bypass is necessary for the same reason that the water meter bypass is required.
I believe I did say that this applies only if pipe is metallic. Of course on a PVC or PEX system, this is not applicable.
I'll have to check the code. I may be reading 2008 code, which has not yet been adopted by many states/localities.
Regardless of code, wouldn't you think it is good practice to install the jumpers in these situations?
FW