Is gas pipe being used as electrode

[hhsting]

I have metal gas pipe bonded to service panleboard ground bus. The metal pipe right where bonding jumper is has grounding electrode conductor with ground rods. By putting that grounding electrode conductor am I not using metal gas pipe as grounding electrode?

 

[mtnelect]

This might help to explain.

 

[hhsting]

This might help to explain.

So then in my case metal gas pipe is grounding electrode?

 

[mtnelect]

NEC (National Electric Code) Section 250.52(B)(1) ... Not permitted for Use as Grounding Electrodes:
The following systems and materials shall not be used as grounding electrodes:
1) Metal underground gas piping system
2) Aluminum

 

[mtnelect]

However,
since the metal gas piping inside of the home could
inadvertently become energized, each aboveground
portion of a gas-piping system upstream from the
equipment shutoff valve shall be electrically continuous
and bonded to the grounding electrode system,
Section 250-104(b).

 

[mtnelect]

So then in my case metal gas pipe is grounding electrode?

Also, sheet metal screws are not permitted to be used
as a means of connecting grounding conductors to
enclosures, Section 250-8. Sheet metal screws do not
have the same fine thread that 10/32 machine screws
have, which match the tapped 10/32 threaded holes
in outlet boxes, device boxes, and other enclosures.

 

[mtnelect]

So then in my case metal gas pipe is grounding electrode?

No ...

 

[mtnelect]

Southern California Gas Company now install insulated fittings where the piping enters the building.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Most utilities have a di-electric fitting that isolates the underground gas line from the above ground. If it is bonded to the line side of the gas meter then that would be non-compliant.

 

[tom baker]

And new gas piping installed by gas companies us non metallic HDPE. There is a dialectric union at the gas meter for metal gas piping. Gas company does not want electrical bonded to their piping as it interferes with cathodic protection

 

[infinity]

If it is bonded to the line side of the gas meter then that would be non-compliant.

This. You'll need to determine where the connection is made to determine if the pipe is actually connected as an electrode or just bonded.

 

[tortuga]

The metal pipe right where bonding jumper is has grounding electrode conductor with ground rods. By putting that grounding electrode conductor am I not using metal gas pipe as grounding electrode?

The gas pipe it self cant be part of the ground fault path, you cant use it like a ground bar. so you cant have a say a #6 from a ground rod to a clamp on a gas pipe then a 2nd clamp on the gas pipe with a GEC to a water pipe, then a 3rd GEC from gas pipe to the service.
You can have a have a continuous unspliced loop of bare copper that hits the water pipe, ground rods and gas pipe.

 

[Fred B]

You can have a have a continuous unspliced loop of bare copper that hits the water pipe, ground rods and gas pipe.

Such an act may draw attention of an inspector with an appearance that it is being used as a GE. OP should Review 250.104(B)

 

[mtnelect]

The gas pipe it self cant be part of the ground fault path, you cant use it like a ground bar. so you cant have a say a #6 from a ground rod to a clamp on a gas pipe then a 2nd clamp on the gas pipe with a GEC to a water pipe, then a 3rd GEC from gas pipe to the service.
You can have a have a continuous unspliced loop of bare copper that hits the water pipe, ground rods and gas pipe.

This might help to explain.

 

[tortuga]

This might help to explain.

I believe this depicts what the op is asking about, a GEC that hits a water main then a gas main then other metal pipes, in any order.
This is a more up to date diagram of what grounding and bonding should be inspected by an AHJ such as @hhsting when a EC pulls a permit that includes upgrading the grounding electrode system in the scope, such as a typical residential service change. All the elements of the grounding system should be evaluated and it should be verified new and old systems are bonded.

 

[mtnelect]

Looks like you found an update to the original publication.