Unused Galvanized Water Line

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eds

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Discarded galvanized waterline with more then 10' in the ground. Does it still qualify as a grounding electrode?
 
If I understand you correctly you are saying the piping is ug but you are not using it for the water system. Imo, it is still an electrode and certainly should be utilized if it is within the building, however I don't think it has to be used.
 
Guess it would have to be considered 250.52(A)(8) "other local metal underground systems or structures".
 
"A metal underground water pipe in direct contact with the earth for 3.0 m (10 ft) or more (including any metal well casing 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 conductor(s) or jumper(s), if installed."

I don't see anything in that language that implies it must be in use. It's still a water pipe isn't it?
 
Joe.B said:
"A metal underground water pipe in direct contact with the earth for 3.0 m (10 ft) or more (including any metal well casing 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 conductor(s) or jumper(s), if installed."

I don't see anything in that language that implies it must be in use. It's still a water pipe isn't it?
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I think water piping has it's own section because they were once part of a fairly large network of piping and were likely to have multiple connections to electrical grid as well, meaning possibly pretty low impedance earthing connection when compared to some other more limited underground piping systems.

non metallic underground water piping has become more common but there is a lot of metal still existing.
 
Joe.B said:
"A metal underground water pipe in direct contact with the earth for 3.0 m (10 ft) or more (including any metal well casing 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 conductor(s) or jumper(s), if installed."

I don't see anything in that language that implies it must be in use. It's still a water pipe isn't it?
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If there isn't any water in it then it is not a water pipe, IMO.
 
I made provisions to use it along with driving 2 ground rods just because i don't know for sure it is 10 feet. Based on where the meter pit is, its likely 10 feet.
 
Yeah I guess it's just semantics and opinions... There's never going to be a definitive answer, nor should there need to be. It is an interesting discussion though. How would the presence (or absence) of water change the properties of the pipe as an electrode? When does pipe meant for water become a water pipe, and when does it stop being a water pipe? Is a wire only a conductor when it's carrying current? I.e. if you turn off a light switch does it change what the wire is? If you disconnect a conductor from the load and the source have you somehow changed what the conductor is? Or just what it does? Very interesting, thanks for the brain exercise.
 
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