Interior metal Water Pipe as Grounding Electrode

[corvalan]

Interior metal water pipe as grounding electrode.
Question: If a 10 ft underground metallic and electrically continuous pipe emerges from ground inside the periphery of the building and continues inside the building for 5 feet without interruption and branching and preserving electrical continuity on all this length, can the 5 feet of this exposed and interior water pipe be considered part of the grounding electrode? Or only the underground portion (the 10 feet) of underground portion be considered the grounding electrode and the 5ft of exposed and interior pipe be considered only as a valid connection point?

 

[earlydean]

Re: Interior metal Water Pipe as Grounding Electrode

Only the pipe in the ground is the GEC. The interior pipe is a connection point.

 

[rickg]

Re: Interior metal Water Pipe as Grounding Electrode

earlydean is correct, you need at least 10 feet of pipe in contact with the earth, & must attach the conductor within 5 feet of where the pipe enters the building.