Is this a required bonding jumper

P

Pinnie

Senior Member
Location
Ohio
Occupation
Commercial Electrician
Is this a required bonding jumper? I know where the water line enters the building if it’s metal it must be grounded, but as far as I understand this jumper is unnecessary.
 

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Here in NJ a bonding jumper connecting the hot and cold water pipes is required. The NEC is unclear on whether or not it's required. I wrote a PI to clarify that it was NOT required but the CMP rejected it.
 
Can't speak for other areas, but at least in Cleveland it's common to see the cold, hot, and gas all bonded together right above the water heater.
 
I had been taught to bond hot and cold together and never questioned it until today. Turns out it's not necessarily required in Washington State either.

WAC 296-46B-250 090 Bonding
(8) Hot and cold water plumbing lines are not required to be bonded together if, at the
time of inspection, the inspector can determine the lines are mechanically and electrically joined
by one or more metallic mixing valves.
Click to expand...

Rob G
Seattle
 
Common around here for AHJs to expect this. There are other ways of complying with those parts of 250.104 but this is typically their way of enforcing it.
 
required or not (actually a question for your local AHJ), it's certainly not hurting anything. if anything, it's helping.

keep in mind, the NEC is simply the bare minimum required by a code panel. local jurisdictions may require more, and owners can always choose to go beyond.
 
IMO this should be required and the NEC should explicitly say so. Even the CMP seems to think that relying on metal mixing valves isn't a good idea. From the PI rejection:

Committee Statement
Resolution: Plumbing fittings and fixtures may not always provide reliable bonding between hot and cold water lines.
Click to expand...
 
Most water heater tanks are metal although there are plastic tanks (Rheem has one). A lot of faucets are connected by hoses and are ungrounded. Probably the shower valve is doing the job
 
Many of the SF Bay Area jurisdictions required a Cold/Hot/Gas bond at the water heater for a long time with the exception of San Jose, one of the few cities that has actual electrical inspectors. They specifically say there is no reason for it since the hot and cold are bonded together at multiple points by mixer valves and the support straps typically used at sink stub outs. We never install the bond unless called on it. Have not had an inspector say anything for many years so I guess they are following SJ's role model.
 
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