Bronze or zinc clamps?

[mark32]

What determines weather one uses a bronze or zinc clamp when bonding your GEC to the water pipes?

 

[tkb]

Probably the cost.

I would think there would be a reaction with the disimlar metals if you used zinc on a copper pipe.

 

[mark32]

Hi there, we sell both types here at HD and I've used both types throughout my years in the field but never thought much about it until someone asked me today. I thought about what you said about dissimiliar metals but I've never seen a zinc plated water pipe before, there must be something else, although there is certainly a difference in cost.

 

[Rewire]

Probably the cost.

I would think there would be a reaction with the disimlar metals if you used zinc on a copper pipe.

you get brass

 

[mark32]

Are they brass? I thought they were but a coworker said they were bronze. Lemme go check....

 

[mark32]

Okay, it appears as though the clamps rated for direct burial are of bronze and the others are of brass.

 

[cadpoint]

It's an alloy

It's an alloy

Oh the things that strike my interest!

"Brass is mostly a solid solution of zinc, dissolved into the element copper."

This is a refreshing read of Chem 101.

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/chem03/chem03403.htm

or Google "brass phase diagram"

 

[infinity]

The clamp should be listed for the type of pipe you attach it to. If a zinc clamp is rated for copper pipe than it's OK. IMO the zinc clamp will eventually rust away.

 

[Rewire]

The clamp should be listed for the type of pipe you attach it to. If a zinc clamp is rated for copper pipe than it's OK. IMO the zinc clamp will eventually rust away.

Actually zinc is used to galvanize metal to protect it from corrosion

 

[macmikeman]

I've never seen an electrician use the zinc ones before. Plenty of phone bonds , ditto for alarm guys.

 

[Kdog76]

Our local AHJ requires brass J-clamps with the brass screws. More corrosion resistant I suppose. And they are listed for direct burial. We can use any other kind for the gas-water bond.

 

[LarryFine]

I've never seen an electrician use the zinc ones before.

I seem to use brass/bronze clamps on copper rods and zinc on galvenized ones. Compatibility, y'know.