Grounding electrode Conductor sizing

[Sierrasparky]

Hey I had a conversation with a fellow contractor.
We don't understand why you need to size a underground water pipe as per table 250.66. ( residential)
A CEE or Uffer you need not go larger than #4
and a Ground rod no larger than #6.

With so many water lines being switched to plastic after construction why do we still need to size this like that?
If one does a service change they have no Idea what is in the ground.


Just thinking. ( sorry)

 

[GoldDigger]

Hey I had a conversation with a fellow contractor.
We don't understand why you need to size a underground water pipe as per table 250.66. ( residential)
A CEE or Uffer you need not go larger than #4
and a Ground rod no larger than #6.

With so many water lines being switched to plastic after construction why do we still need to size this like that?
If one does a service change they have no Idea what is in the ground.


Just thinking. ( sorry)

Because at one time, long ago, it was very likely that the water piping system had a much lower electrode to earth resistance than even a CEE.
Should the code change just because the world has changed?

 

[iwire]

I agree with GoldDigger

 

[david]

With so many water lines being switched to plastic after construction why do we still need to size this like that?
If one does a service change they have no Idea what is in the ground.

Most of the water supply lines here even for new construction are 3/4 (copper) has that changed in your area?

I would say you are correct at a service change you could not verify how long the copper line is or if it has been changed underground. Do you see a lot of building water supply being change from copper in your area?

 

[electrofelon]

Because at one time, long ago, it was very likely that the water piping system had a much lower electrode to earth resistance than even a CEE.
Should the code change just because the world has changed?

But just for the sake of discussion....The grounding electrode's purpose isn't to carry high fault currents right? I mean yes it could in the case of copper ultimately bonding back to the transformer through your neighbors house, but just seems like that's not it's purpose...

 

[iwire]

But just for the sake of discussion....The grounding electrode's purpose isn't to carry high fault currents right? I mean yes it could in the case of copper ultimately bonding back to the transformer through your neighbors house, but just seems like that's not it's purpose...

I think the idea is that they wanted the GEC to hang in there if an service conductor shorted to a service enclosure or the neutral even if the neutral was open at the far end.