water pipe

[Deleted member 139766]

The situation is thus:
Service panel upgrade 200amp. There is a Ufer directly below the panel.
The water main is metal and on the other side of the dwelling. The contractor wants to attach a #4 GEC to a hose bib near the panel and not go to the water main at the other side of the dwelling. The dwelling has copper water pipe.

I have not been able to convince the contractor that his approach is a code violation. The contractor has suggested that I ask the question here as he has great respect for the Mike Holt's Forum. So please let me know what you think.

 

[petersonra]

what NEC provision makes you think it is a code violation?

hint 250.68(C)

 

[augie47]

The only question I would have in in regard t:
Metal Underground Water Pipe. A metal underground water pipe in direct contact with the earth for 3.0 m (10 ft) or more
The copper interior water line does not necessarily indicate the presence of 10ft of metallic line in contycat with the earth.
To be sure, you would need to verify the type underground piping.

 

[tom baker]

If the water meter is at the street, is there copper on the meter outlet?
Older pluming codes required copper to extend 2 ft past the foundation, then could transition to plastic

 

[James L]

250.68(C)(1) states that a connection to an underground water pipe electrode shall be within five feet of where the pipe enters the building.

I'm not sure about other places, but around here it's not "only" within 5 feet. It's also before any fittings.

Not allowed to be connected anywhere after the main shutoff unless it's jumpered.

If you connect to a hose bib, any kind of plumbing repair would have your grounding disconnected and pose a shock hazard.

 

[kwired]

The situation is thus:
Service panel upgrade 200amp. There is a Ufer directly below the panel.
The water main is metal and on the other side of the dwelling. The contractor wants to attach a #4 GEC to a hose bib near the panel and not go to the water main at the other side of the dwelling. The dwelling has copper water pipe.

I have not been able to convince the contractor that his approach is a code violation. The contractor has suggested that I ask the question here as he has great respect for the Mike Holt's Forum. So please let me know what you think.

I agree you must utilize both the CEE and the water pipe electrodes because they both are present.

Though not normally practical to connect a water pipe on opposite side of house to the CEE via bonding jumper it would be compliant. Would be more typical (though maybe not in a dwelling) to connect the water pipe via a bonding jumper from building steel when present.