Sprinkler Pipe as Grounding Electrode

Status
Not open for further replies.
joebell

joebell

Senior Member
Location
New Hampshire
I had a co worker call me today asking if it is a code violation to use sprinkler piping as a grounding electrode. He explained that the job he was on someone had run a GEC from a transformer to the spinkler pipe.

I read 250.52(A)(1) and the only way i could come close to saying this is alright is by applying the exception but I do not believe that is the intent of this section.

also I believe sprinkler piping is put toghter with a rubber gasket type bracket which would bring into question the continuity.

Any thoughts
 
I always thought it was a piping system to be used in accordance with 250.50. I figured the reason nobody around here used it was because they hadn't thought of that. :)
 
Here we require that it be bonded within 5 feet of entering the building if you rerence NFPA 2007 articles 10.6.7 and 10.6.8 you will see it is only an issue with dissimilar metals in which case they tend to use a dielectric fitting and in that situation it cannot be "used as a grounding electrode for electrical systems". Dielectric fittings are often used for security reasons on other piping systems.
 
Sprinkler Pipe as Grounding Electrode

barbeer said:
Not for use as an electrode but must be bonded as is steel. 250.104
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing, sounds like it would require a lot of jumpers around the isolating connections on a large system. Has anyone ever done that?
 
unless he attached to the supply side of the pump i believe this is a violation 250.50(A)(8) (i.e.- the pump can be removed losing your ground)

sprinkler pipes are not listed in specifically in the grounding electrode list
 
nunu161 said:
unless he attached to the supply side of the pump i believe this is a violation 250.50(A)(8) (i.e.- the pump can be removed losing your ground)
Click to expand...
Not sure what you're saying.

sprinkler pipes are not listed in specifically in the grounding electrode list
Click to expand...
What about 250.52(A)(1)?

rcarroll said:
We thought of it, the fire authority won't allow it.
Click to expand...
Such party crashers. :D
 
thats why i said on the line side of the pump because if he took the ground wire to a sprinkler pipe in the cieling i would consider that an nec violation basically like having to jump the water meter
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top