grounding a residential propane tank

[difowler44]

What size equipment grounding conductor is necessary for a propane tank on a residence with a 200amp electrical service? Is a bare grounding wire suitable ran underground? If so, how deep should the bare grounding wire be buried? This grounding wire would not have any energized wires with it. Only the grounding wire. Would it be a #6 equipment grounding conductor for the propane tank according to table 250.122?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

The NEC does not require the tank to be bonded.

 

[Dsg319]

What size equipment grounding conductor is necessary for a propane tank on a residence with a 200amp electrical service? Is a bare grounding wire suitable ran underground? If so, how deep should the bare grounding wire be buried? This grounding wire would not have any energized wires with it. Only the grounding wire. Would it be a #6 equipment grounding conductor for the propane tank according to table 250.122?

I would not connect it to the electrical/grounding system at all. Waste of time,money, and materials.

By attaching it and it having no other electrical connections you can actually run the risk of it becoming a big energized tank in the yard with a loose neutral.

 

[difowler44]

Most of what i am reading on the internet says that they don't have to be grounded. Maybe nothing is specifically written about propane tanks in the code book. I guess there might just be manufacturers recommendations.

 

[Dsg319]

Most of what i am reading on the internet says that they don't have to be grounded. Maybe nothing is specifically written about propane tanks in the code book. I guess there might just be manufacturers recommendations.

I’m unsure as to why the manufacturers would want an EGC ran to it with no other electrical connection.

If they were worried about static discharge or something I would assume to just run a wire from it to an electrode in the earth.

Seems like a lot of time manufactures recommend a lot of useless stuff that serves no functional purpose. Especially with grounding. I’d say a lot of it has to do with them not understanding electrical theory/fundamentals.

To people who haven’t been taught better. The earth/dirt fixes every problem.

 

[Fred B]

What size equipment grounding conductor is necessary for a propane tank on a residence with a 200amp electrical service? Is a bare grounding wire suitable ran underground? If so, how deep should the bare grounding wire be buried? This grounding wire would not have any energized wires with it. Only the grounding wire. Would it be a #6 equipment grounding conductor for the propane tank according to table 250.122?

2017 NEC 250.104(B) Other Metal Piping.
If installed in or attached to a building or structure, a metal piping system(s), including gas piping, that is likely to become energized shall be bonded to any of the following:

• (1) Equipment grounding conductor for the circuit that is likely to energize the piping system
• (2) Service equipment enclosure
• (3) Grounded conductor at the service
• (4) Grounding electrode conductor, if of sufficient size
• (5) One or more grounding electrodes used, if the grounding electrode conductor or bonding jumper to the grounding electrode is of sufficient size

The bonding conductor(s) or jumper(s) shall be sized in accordance with Table 250.122, and equipment grounding conductors shall be sized in accordance with Table 250.122 using the rating of the circuit that is likely to energize the piping system(s). The points of attachment of the bonding jumper(s) shall be accessible.

Key words for bonding requirement "likely to become energized". Is your propane tank likely to become energized? What is circuit rating that is likely to energize the pipe to the tank?
But like don said:

The NEC does not require the tank to be bonded.

 

[jap]

I would not connect it to the electrical/grounding system at all. Waste of time,money, and materials.

By attaching it and it having no other electrical connections you can actually run the risk of it becoming a big energized tank in the yard with a loose neutral.

If a copper line is run from the tank inside to a propane stove with a 120v blower that is plugged into the wall there is already a connection to the service ground.

JAP>

 

[Joethemechanic]

If a copper line is run from the tank inside to a propane stove with a 120v blower that is plugged into the wall there is already a connection to the service ground.

JAP>

I was just thinking that

 

[Dsg319]

If a copper line is run from the tank inside to a propane stove with a 120v blower that is plugged into the wall there is already a connection to the service ground.

JAP>

That’s true.