Within 5 feet

[Doc13067]

If I am using a water pipe as a grounding electrode, does my actual GEC need to terminate within the first 5 feet or can I just run it to the nearest pipe and then install a bonding jumper? I’ve always thought the bonding jumper at the water meter allowed me to run my GEC to the most convenient section of pipe but now I’m second guessing and thinking I’ve got a lot of code violations out there, some of which were even approved by inspectors

 

[infinity]

With the water pipe as an electrode it has to connect within 5' of where the pipe enters the building. It can connect on either side of the water meter and a bonding jumper around the meter is required regardless of which side it connects to the water pipe.

 

[tortuga]

I was just looking for the code reference, I think that requirement is buried in 250.68

 

[Doc13067]

So if by chance you have to run a new grounding electrode conductor in and finished house, you are now ripping open the walls in order to get to the water service entrance. That is rough In some cases

 

[Doc13067]

I was just looking for the code reference, I think that requirement is buried in 250.68

I have definitely seen it and read it. I just didn’t know if the bonding jumper over the meter negated it. For a long time I was operating under the assumption that it did for some reason.

 

[jaggedben]

250.68 is sort of weirdly written in that it does not actually say that the water pipe GEC has to be connected within the first 5ft, only that the first 5ft shall be permitted to be used to bond different electrodes and such together. But in my experience that's how it's interpreted.

 

[Buck Parrish]

We never bond around the water meter. Never been required to. I've heard some water meters have rubber ends specifically not allowing continuity between customers.

 

[tom baker]

Does the water pipe qualify as a grounding electrode?

 

[Doc13067]

Yes. It almost always does where I work.

 

[tortuga]

Does the water pipe qualify as a grounding electrode?

What do you mean by qualify? Just that its metal?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

What do you mean by qualify? Just that its metal?

It must be in contact with the earth for 10' or more. Of course you never know whether it was torn up and partially replaced with plastic

 

[tortuga]

Of course you never know

250.50 says all electrodes that are present.
Seems like you'd need to dig it up to prove its not present.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

250.50 says all electrodes that are present.
Seems like you'd need to dig it up to prove its not present.

Right so connect it up is cheaper and then add the rods. That is probably why you need to supplement the water pipes. At any time it could be replaced,

 

[tortuga]

I suppose any metal water pipe's days are numbered in 2022.
Probably a matter of time before all are pex.

 

[jaggedben]

I suppose any metal water pipe's days are numbered in 2022.
Probably a matter of time before all are pex.

I don't know about that. I don't see them changing much at all around here. Civilization might collapse first.

 

[Doc13067]

Civilization will collapse first for sure. The most you’ll get is PEX after the water meter but no way society holds on long enough for the entire service entrance to be PEX on a large scale.

 

[qcroanoke]

It must be in contact with the earth for 10' or more. Of course you never know whether it was torn up and partially replaced with plastic

This is my understanding.

 

[retirede]

Civilization will collapse first for sure. The most you’ll get is PEX after the water meter but no way society holds on long enough for the entire service entrance to be PEX on a large scale.

It may not be PEX, but it will be some type of polymer. Every new water service installed here in the past 25 years has the meter buried in the yard with a 1” HDPE line run to the house. Mine is that way (built in 1997).