grounding gas pipes

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shockingthemonkey

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How do I know what size wire to use to ground the gas pipes. I'm working on a commerical resturant, with gas kitchen equipment and gas water heater.

Above the water heater I have a xfmer hanging in the ceiling. Can I spilt-bolt off of the ground wire going to bldg steel. It's a #4wire.
 
Unless it's CSST (flex pipe), most gas pipe is considered to be bonded by the appliances it feeds thru the GEC to those appliances.
If the building steel qualifies as a grounding electrode {250.52(A)(2)} then the connection you suggest should be o.k.
For CSST piping there are specific mechanical requirements.
 
the Inspector is asking me to ground the pipe . I was gonna ground it in two locations. the first by the water heater. and where it enters the unit, just not sure what size wire to use?
 
Since you are second guessing it's difficult to say. 250.104(B) is your guide.
Locally a lot of E/Cs bond cold water, hot water and gas together with a #4 at the water heater.
 
our inspector makes us use #6 to ground both hot and cold water pipes at the water heater,and the gas line any where
 
the city is about 55000 people,he is the only electrical inspector,but get this the plumbing and hvac inspectors have done electrical inspections also
 
we have always use #6 to ground the water heater lines and gas lines no matter how big the service,per our inspector
 
arits74 said:
we have always use #6 to ground the water heater lines and gas lines no matter how big the service,per our inspector
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If I were you I would do it to code regardless of what the inspector says. #6 to the ground rod but Table 250.66 is there for a reason. :roll:
 
250.66 sizes the grounding electrode conductor not the conductor size for bonding the wh lines or gas lines ,right?
 
arits74 said:
250.66 sizes the grounding electrode conductor not the conductor size for bonding the wh lines or gas lines ,right?
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Correct, But it is also for sizing the bonding conductor to water piping if it isn't used as a grounding electrode.

There is no requirement to bond hot and cold water pipes at a water heater nor is there a requirement that you have to bond gas piping no matter what any inspector tries to tell you.

Gas piping is only required to be bonded IF it is likely to become energized. Unless you can see the future there is no way you can say it will become energized and under normal circumstances it never will.

All that aside, the inspector is clearly confused to say the least.
 
arits74 said:
250.66 sizes the grounding electrode conductor not the conducor that bonds the WH and gas lines,right?
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As Scott said it is for the electrode but it is also for bonding water pipes that are not an electrode, building steel, etc. We have never bonded the water heater. The egc from the branch circuit will ground the water heater. If you wanted to bond the hot water then you would have to use a #4 copper for a 200 amp service not #6.

Read 250.104(B) & 250.104(A)(1)

250.104(B) Other Metal Piping. Where 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 the service equipment enclosure, the grounded conductor at the service, the grounding electrode conductor where of sufficient size, or the one or more grounding electrodes used. The bonding jumper(s) shall be sized in accordance with 250.122, using the rating of the circuit that is likely to energize the piping system(s). The equipment grounding conductor for the circuit that is likely to energize the piping shall be permitted to serve as the bonding means. The points of attachment of the bonding jumper(s) shall be accessible.
FPN: Bonding all piping and metal air ducts within the premises will provide additional safety.
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250.104 Bonding of Piping Systems and Exposed Structural Steel.
(A) Metal Water Piping. The metal water piping system shall be bonded as required in (A)(1), (A)(2), or (A)(3) of this section. The bonding jumper(s) shall be installed in accordance with 250.64(A), (B), and (E). The points of attachment of the bonding jumper(s) shall be accessible.
(1) General. Metal water piping system(s) installed in or attached to a building or structure shall be bonded to the service equipment enclosure, the grounded conductor at the service, the grounding electrode conductor where of sufficient size, or to the one or more grounding electrodes used. The bonding jumper(s) shall be sized in accordance with Table 250.66 except as permitted in 250.104(A)(2) and (A)(3).
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electricmanscott said:
Correct, But it is also for sizing the bonding conductor to water piping if it isn't used as a grounding electrode.

There is no requirement to bond hot and cold water pipes at a water heater nor is there a requirement that you have to bond gas piping no matter what any inspector tries to tell you.

Gas piping is only required to be bonded IF it is likely to become energized. Unless you can see the future there is no way you can say it will become energized and under normal circumstances it never will.

All that aside, the inspector is clearly confused to say the least.
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You might want to read what the USBC says about gas pipe bonding BEFORE you go saying things like this.
 
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