Bonding/Grounding

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

tommyh21271

Member
If your supposed to bond to a water line that is metallic & runs at least 10' from the building (underground), is it Bonding or Grounding? And Are we grounding/bonding the conductors/ Apliances, or the water line? And if its the "electrical system", is a Grounding Rod needed? What about Gas lines (fire hazard)? Should they be Grounded/Boned as well? I know when I worked in the petroleum distribution part of things the underground bulk tanks were required to be grounded, or was that due to cathodic protection only?
 
Re: Bonding/Grounding

Howdy!

Not to sound like a wise guy.......,
but you seem to have an awful lot of questions for one post!

Most of these questions are already answerd here on the forum. I would suggest that you type in key words in the seach feature and hang around for a few weeks. You will get the hang of this "grounding" and "bonding" stuff soon enough!
 
Re: Bonding/Grounding

A lot of questions here, and I will try to answer.

Q1. If your supposed to bond to a water line that is metallic & runs at least 10' from the building (underground), is it Bonding or Grounding?

A1. Grounding. The water pipe in which you describe forms part of the grounding electrode system per 250.52 and must be supplemented by one additional electrode per 250.53(D)(2).

Q2. Are we grounding/bonding the conductors/ Appliances, or the water line?

A2. Bonding. Appliances should have an EGC so no additional bonding is required. If not refer too requirements contained in 250.104

Q3. Its the "electrical system", is a Grounding Rod needed?

A3. No. If a water pipe is used it must be supplemented by any listed in 250.52(A)(2) through (A)(7).

Q4. What about Gas lines (fire hazard)? Should they be Grounded/Boned as well?

A4.Yes and No. Again if the appliance has an EGC no additional requirement. If no EGC, refer to 250.104 for additional info.

Q5. I know when I worked in the petroleum distribution part of things the underground bulk tanks were required to be grounded, or was that due to cathodic protection only?

A5. Not in the scope of the NEC. However the tanks are gounded to discharge static, lightning, and cathodic protection.

Edited for clarity

[ April 06, 2004, 07:07 PM: Message edited by: dereckbc ]
 
Re: Bonding/Grounding

First, I apoligize for using "apliance" instead of "equipment", Ive been in residential for the past few months and have "apliances" on the brain. 2nd, I AM full of questions & seek answers without bothering folks as often as I can, sometimes I ask my BOSS (licensed electrician/mentor?/nembisis?) & I usually get answers like "because its code" or something equally as short ( I hate to bother him, though im eager to learn ). 3rd, Thank's dereckbc! I kinda knew that the water pipe was used as a ground, but everything ive read about "bonding/grounding" seems so contradicting or "visa/versa" I lack understanding as to what the differance is if the EGC is "bonded" to the GC in the service panel, water/gas/refrigeration or the like, then "grounded @ the utility meter. 4th, My question about the gas line was (in part)because it is metallic & would seem to fall within NEC as something to bond to due to a potential fire hazard in the event of a gas leak along with a poor bond (arch/kaboom?). Also. please foregive my ignorance, and lack of common sence, I Am Trying to Understand!!
 
Re: Bonding/Grounding

Revised: 4th, My question about the gas line was (in part)because it is metallic & would seem to fall within NEC as something to bond too, BUT would seem a potential fire hazard in the event of a gas leak along with a poor bond (arch/kaboom?)
 
Re: Bonding/Grounding

Tom first it would be a good idea to look in the NEC artical 100 for the definition of grounding.
And you will see that there will be 7 entries for grounding. And some will list the same definition in reverse. Like the EGC (equipment grounding conductor) and the GEC (grounding electrode conductor) then there is the grounding conductor and the grounded conductor (neutral)
So just take it one step at a time and learn the purpose for each one. it can get confusing but at least you can come in here and ask what you dont understand. Just remember to look for the ending of the word ground I.E. ing, ed, etc...

[ April 07, 2004, 01:48 AM: Message edited by: hurk27 ]
 
Re: Bonding/Grounding

Thanks Hurk, somedays I get inquizitivly overloaded and need to spill off some of my frustrations. Im greatfull to all you guy's ( and the forum )for putting up with with my lack of grey matter (brains), and help bring things back into perspective. :D
 
Re: Bonding/Grounding

Originally posted by tommyh21271:
Thanks Hurk, somedays I get inquizitivly overloaded and need to spill off some of my frustrations. Im greatfull to all you guy's ( and the forum )for putting up with with my lack of grey matter (brains), and help bring things back into perspective. :D
Click to expand...
We all had to learn some place. The only stupid question is the one you do not ask. I'm open to PMs if you don't want to ask on the forum.
--
Tom H
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top