Requirements for bonding a lead water main that changes to Pex

8

8u8GU

Member
Location
Michigan
Occupation
EE
Do I need to bond a short lead water main that's connected to Pex?

I'm dealing with a situation where the electrical service for a house is being replaced. The GEC and rods will be right outside the panel, and the incoming water main is lead for a couple feet coming into the house, and is Pex the entire rest of the house. There is definitely more than 10 feet of the water main in contact with soil. My understanding is that this is permitted to be a grounding electrode, but I am not certain that it is *required* to be connected to the grounding rods.

The water main is about 50 feet away from the panel and rods, which is why I'm trying to nail this down.
 
8u8GU said:
There is definitely more than 10 feet of the water main in contact with soil.
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It qualifies as electrode so it must be used as part of the GES. Not sure if they actually make a pipe clamp listed for lead pipes.

250.52 Grounding Electrodes.
250.52(A) Electrodes Permitted for Grounding.
250.52(A)(1) Metal Underground Water Pipe.
A metal underground water pipe in direct contact with the earth for 3.0 m (10 ft) or more (including any metal well casing bonded to the pipe) and electrically continuous (or made electrically continuous by bonding around insulating joints or insulating pipe) to the points of connection of the grounding electrode conductor and the bonding conductor(s) or jumper(s), if installed.
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Welcome to the Forum. :)
 
Not really electrical other than bonding, what I don’t understand, you being in Michigan and the development issues with children in Flint, Michigan because of lead pipes. Why would you leave something in place the would poison you children?
 
Half the city still has lead water mains, and they're aiming to have them all replaced within the next 5 or 10 years. It's not really a concern because they treat the water to coat the pipes, the lead water tests I've done have come back fine, and we use an ANSI 53 water filter just to be safe anyways. And replacement is about 10k that I could use to do more important things.
 
Rjryan said:
Not really electrical other than bonding,
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infinity said:
Are you saying that the pipe does not need to be used as an electrode?
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I would say myself I wouldn't rely on the pipe to be an adequate electrode as the unknown state of balance of pipe outside of visible portion in basement. Bond as if it is one but make sure I have adequate additional electrodes that would withstand scrutiny besides and could stand on its own other than the water pipe.
 
infinity said:
Are you saying that the pipe does not need to be used as an electrode?
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I agree that it needs to be a bonding electrode, but what I am saying is that water coming from lead pipes has devastating developmental impact on children. It’s like connecting romex to knob, you check the wiring and think it is safe, someone looking at the new plex, thinks the water is safe, but is not safe. The developmental harm to children was documented in Flint, Michigan.
 
Rjryan said:
I agree that it needs to be a bonding electrode, but what I am saying is that water coming from lead pipes has devastating developmental impact on children. It’s like connecting romex to knob, you check the wiring and think it is safe, someone looking at the new plex, thinks the water is safe, but is not safe. The developmental harm to children was documented in Flint, Michigan.
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I agree with what you're saying about the lead pipes, but lead or some other metal it stills needs to be used as an electrode which is the question from the OP.
 
infinity said:
I agree with what you're saying about the lead pipes, but lead or some other metal it stills needs to be used as an electrode which is the question from the OP.
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The question of bonding, you answered, but plexing the house and leaving the lead pipes, as Mike Homes would say is like putting mascara and lipstick on a pig. The plex is misleading as to safety.
 
infinity said:
I agree with what you're saying about the lead pipes, but lead or some other metal it stills needs to be used as an electrode which is the question from the OP.
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Rob, he was making two statements, separated with a comma. He was saying that he agreed with the bonding, but wanted to add a non electrical statement about the lead pipes and water.
Rjryan said:
Not really electrical other than bonding, what I don’t understand, you being in Michigan and the development issues with children in Flint, Michigan because of lead pipes. Why would you leave something in place the would poison you children?
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The part in red is a separate subject.
 
infinity said:
Yes and red part is incorrect which is why I mentioned it. The water pipe is an electrode and is required to be part of the GES via a GEC. It is not only being bonded.
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I just took it as he used the wrong term for connecting to the GES. OP would have to clarify.
 
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