Bonding gas pipes

[Pierre C Belarge]

There is a H U G E difference between the purpose of grounding, and the purpose of bonding. One of the best ways to try to understand some of the code rules is to understand Theory behind it as well.

 

[acrwc10]

I have not finished reading the thread, but this type of response is enough to make me jump off a 7" step.

Carry a code book, be familar with the areas of the NEC that you do most of your work, and be prepared to let the inspector that you respect his opinion, but the code says xxx, in Section xxx.xx.

Sounds nice but unrealistic. I have encountered a few issues that will almost always get turned down, and the second ground rod is one of them. Here is the argument used by the inspector in San Fransisco,"you need to prove there is less then 25 ohms on the ground rod,"
My response," I can, I have an Amp Probe 3 point fall of potential tester, and we have 17 ohms on the ground rod."
San Fransisco inspector," That isn't good enough, we require third party testing."

So as you can see a second ground rod with a clamp and wire is $20.00, Third party testing $500.00 to a $1,000.00 (Win the battle, loose the war).
Most of the inspectors I deal with know me and my work and I rarely have an issue, it is when I go outside of my area that I run into stupid issues with inspectors. Being right and passing an inspection is not always the same thing.
Also the "go over his head" comments are useless in the real world, unless the guy is very wrong, because the building official gets to interpret the code and will back up his inspectors to keep piece in the office.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

If they have the requirement of a 3rd party testing in writing, then there is no denying the word spoken by the inspector.
I contracted for 14 years, and I never had an issue with a bully inspector. But...I was willing to go the whole nine yards. Of which I had to do a couple of times. It does not take the inspectors long to learn how to deal with contractors, the same as contractors seem to be willing to play the game with inspectors.

 

[acrwc10]

If they have the requirement of a 3rd party testing in writing, then there is no denying the word spoken by the inspector.
I contracted for 14 years, and I never had an issue with a bully inspector. But...I was willing to go the whole nine yards. Of which I had to do a couple of times. It does not take the inspectors long to learn how to deal with contractors, the same as contractors seem to be willing to play the game with inspectors.

If by the "whole nine yards" you mean arguing the point, I could buy a truck load of ground rods with the money it would take to argue the point and I don't feel like waisting the time, like I said,"win the battle, loose the war". there are big and better hills to fight for.

 

[Smart $]

..."win the battle, loose the war" ...

Don't you mean lose the battle, win the war?

 

[acrwc10]

Don't you mean lose the battle, win the war?

Nice thought but that is not how it turns out, Let those who have the time go fight it. Pick the battles right and you do win the war, bonding water heaters and 2 ground rods just are not the battle.