set me straight on grounding

[WV Sparktition]

OK, when i went to school, a whopping year a half ago, my instructor told us that the main grounding electrode should be either the metal building frame or cold water pipe, and shall be supplemented by either a rod or other means. But recently i was told by an inspector that the rod is the main electrode, and a water pipe is a supplemental, she said thats what the code says. but i read today in 250.53(d) (2) that

when cold water pipe is used a supplementing electrode of a rod or ring or other type shall be used in conjunction with

Am i right about the water being the main or a rod???

I know AHJ is always right...lol jk...but i still wanna know if i stand a chance on running #6 to my ground rods and 4 bare to my main cold water [/code]

 

[roger]

Sounds as though your inspector needs to take some grounding classes and read article 250 a little slower.

Roger

 

[don_resqcapt19]

There is no "main" grounding electrode in the code. The only reason this come up, is because if you have only a metal underground water pipe available at the building, then you must supplement the water pipe grounding electrode with a "made electrode", most commonly a ground rod. The water pipe requires a supplemental grounding electrode, not because it is not a good electrode, but because of the very real possibility that the water pipe may be repaired using non-metallic parts
Don

 

[celtic]

Re: set me straight on grounding

...i still wanna know if i stand a chance on running #6 to my ground rods and 4 bare to my main cold water

I guess that will depend on what size service you are talking about.

 

[romeo]

Well said Don I agree with you. Also 200amp service #4 to the water pipe # 6 to the grd rod or rods

 

[WV Sparktition]

So i would be correct in saying that the code requires a cold water ground

her exact statement was that th code doesnt require a cold water, that 2 ground rods would be sufficiant, i dont have a problm with that, exept what i was taught, i told her, and she kinda said i was wrong, which i dont like to often.

I jus wana know if i was correct in stating that the code requires a cold water ground

 

[roger]

So i would be correct in saying that the code requires a cold water ground

her exact statement was that th code doesnt require a cold water, that 2 ground rods would be sufficiant, i dont have a problm with that, exept what i was taught, i told her, and she kinda said i was wrong, which i dont like to often.

I jus wana know if i was correct in stating that the code requires a cold water ground

Now, with that post I have to revisit my earlier post, she probably has a good understanding of 250.

She is correct in saying "that the code doesnt require a cold water GE, that 2 ground rods would be sufficient,".

Along with Don's post, 250.50 says,

250.50 Grounding Electrode System
All grounding electrodes as described in 250.52(A)(1) through (A)(6) that are present at each building or structure served shall be bonded together to form the grounding electrode system. Where none of these grounding electrodes exist, one or more of the grounding electrodes specified in 250.52(A)(4) through (A)(7) shall be installed and used.

and if the water piping did not meet the criteria of 250.52(A)(1)

(1) Metal Underground Water Pipe A metal underground water pipe in direct contact with the earth for 3.0 m (10 ft) or more (including any metal well casing effectively bonded to the pipe) and electrically continuous (or made electrically continuous by bonding around insulating joints or insulating pipe) to the points of connection of the grounding electrode conductor and the bonding conductors. Interior metal water piping located more than 1.52 m (5 ft) from the point of entrance to the building shall not be used as a part of the grounding electrode system or as a conductor to interconnect electrodes that are part of the grounding electrode system.

it would not exist as a Grounding Electrode.

The interior water piping if metalic would still need to be bonded per 250.104

Roger

 

[WV Sparktition]

Thanx that answered it

 

[Stu Goforth]

Here in Wyoming there MUST be a Concrete encased electrode and then when metal water pipe is present (direct contact with earth for 10') it also must be used. No Other ground electrode is required that way.