Grounding water and gas pipes, and heating duct in residential

[ILVikesfan]

The water lines entering the home, and most of the lines within the home are plastic. The inspectors require us to ground the copper portions of the water lines, as well as the gas lines and the duct work. My questions are: What size ground wire must I run, and do my grounding clamps need to be within 5 feet of where the water and gas lines enter the home (even though the water line is plastic where it enters the home)? Thank you for your help.

 

[augie47]

Wow! Tough rules.
Its' unusual to find a requirement to bond short sections of metallic piping and duct work. More like a local requirement or interpretation so it might be best to ask them the question.
If the piping sysyem is metallic (plastic fed) then your bond would need to be sized per 250.104(A) with the clamp at any accessible point. Gas lines are normally bonded per 250.104(B).
Before discussing it with them, familiarize yourself with NEC 250.104.

 

[jxofaltrds]

The water lines entering the home, and most of the lines within the home are plastic. The inspectors require us to ground the copper portions of the water lines, as well as the gas lines and the duct work. My questions are: What size ground wire must I run, and do my grounding clamps need to be within 5 feet of where the water and gas lines enter the home (even though the water line is plastic where it enters the home)? Thank you for your help.

Ask the inspectors what electric lines he thinks are going to come into contact with the 'short' pieces of pipe so you know how to size the bond. Tell him nothing in the NEC tells you how to size this. Then ask him to please show you in the NEC so you can comply.

Gas lines black iron or CSST?

Duct work. Use above example for water lines.