Bonding to a whirlpool cold water line...

[ctroyp]

Simple question and hopefully a simpler answer.

In a residence, does the clamp you use to bond the WP pump need to be accessable or at least able to be seen? Alot of times the water lines are on the other side of the WP from the pump access and it is nearly impossible to gain access to them (the clamp.) How can the inspector see that connection and assure it is there without bringing in his/her multimeter?

The question could also be give less speciffically: Does a bonding/grounding clamp need to be readily accessible?

Code references are appreciated...

 

[earlydean]

Re: Bonding to a whirlpool cold water line...

With the exception of the buried grounding connection, the connection to any grounding electrode shall be accessible, (250.68(A)) Readily accessibile is not required.

 

[ryan_618]

Re: Bonding to a whirlpool cold water line...

Earl, I think he is refering to the bonding required by section 680.74. I would not be concerned about how accessible it is. As far as being accessible for inspection, if I can't see it, I don't pass it.

680.73 requires that the electrical equipment be accessible, however.

 

[ctroyp]

Re: Bonding to a whirlpool cold water line...

Ryan:

With all respect, you are saying that you have never ran across a WP tub that was bonded to the WP faucet pipe on the other side of the tub. Typically the drain, and faucet are located on the opposite side of the WP from the pump--hence the reason the access is located at the pump side of the WP tub.

 

[ryan_618]

Re: Bonding to a whirlpool cold water line...

Sorry about the delayed response, I just read the post. I require the bonding to occur at the four-way stage of the building. At the bare minimimum, I ask that the pipes be bonded and the bonding jumper be installed. If the tub isn't installed yet, I check the bonding termination to the motor at the final inspection.

EDIT: This post reminds me of an inspection I did a few weeks ago. I had written up 250.102(C) for undersized bonding on the service equipment. I had also asked that he bond the hydromassage tub. When I came back for the re-inspection, he sized the tub bond off of 250.66!!! He also added a lug to the motor to accomodate his 1/0 bonding jumper! I have a picture of, maybe I'll post it.

[ December 27, 2003, 03:39 PM: Message edited by: ryan_618 ]

 

[ryan_618]

Re: Bonding to a whirlpool cold water line...

 

[jimwalker]

Re: Bonding to a whirlpool cold water line...

Am i understanding this correctly? we are bonding the copper water lines to the pump ,which is the ground.This is to prevent the water line should it get be made live by some fault to return it to grd thru the 12-2 wg .Would anything larger than #8 bare solid be needed?
Would there not already be a bond on the water line to ground at a hose bib or water heater?
Should the water line be CPVC then no bond needed?

[ December 27, 2003, 05:11 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]

 

[ryan_618]

Re: Bonding to a whirlpool cold water line...

Jim: You are correct, the bonding jumper can be anything larger than #8 solid. In my opinion, the intent is to eliminate the possibility of a voltage gradiant. Read 680.74 and also the FPN to 680.26. 680.26 I realize does not apply to 680.74, but I beleive the intent is the same. I also use the FPN when people run a #8 form the motor of a hydo tub to a panelboard. :roll: