Aluminum Ground - Allowed??

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

The 5-foot rule seems dubious now that plastic is allowed as underground water supply piping.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Not dubious........it only applies if the water pipe is Metal....and atleast 10' within the ground....if not present...not used.....

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

How can you tell how far into the metal pipe extends before it changes to plastic?

[Paul W. Abernathy]

The plastic usually come all the way INTO the house and does not change out into the ground. So usually the location point is at the point of enterance of the water pipe systems.

Usually when plastic is being used it is again bought all the way into the dwelling....

[tdietrich1]

Originally Posted by kshepard

How can you tell how far into the metal pipe extends before it changes to plastic?

Once place where the NEC accepts reality as part of factor in determining what is 'OK' and what is not. If you use the water pipe as your grounding electrode (which is required if you can determine -sometimes as an educated guess since you can't see in the ground), then you still have to back it up with ground rod(s), ground plate, etc, etc...... So the water pipe seems to never be your sole grounding electrode.

Now back to what the HI can do. Contact the water department, find out if they use only metal supplies or switched over any time.

tom

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Originally Posted by tdietrich1

Once place where the NEC accepts reality as part of factor in determining what is 'OK' and what is not. If you use the water pipe as your grounding electrode (which is required if you can determine -sometimes as an educated guess since you can't see in the ground), then you still have to back it up with ground rod(s), ground plate, etc, etc...... So the water pipe seems to never be your sole grounding electrode.

Now back to what the HI can do. Contact the water department, find out if they use only metal supplies or switched over any time.

tom

Educational Moment - In many older homes guys you will see the water pipe as the only GE....sad but true.......However, you should suggest to them a supplimental grounding electrode be added...now if they do it...thats their problem but in my opinion it should be suggested as a enhancement.

[tdietrich1]

Originally Posted by pabernathy

in my opinion it should be suggested as a enhancement.

Good advice!

I can personally say, keeping voltage transients to a min will preserve sensitive electronics in your house.

tom

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

I always suggest a supplemental grounding electrode if the water pipes are the sole GE. It's too often that re-piping of the home and/or main disconnects the original GE.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Most certainly....and with the possible issue of connections being old and worn out, corroded and who knows....always a good suggesting to mention about the supplimental.....

[Darin Redding]

Recently found this in a water heater closet so I am guessing this is not good as the WH is in a closet some 30 feet from the water entrance located in the attached garage.

Aside from the fact that the rod was loose and I could move it easily.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

This is a bonding connection, not a grounding connection.

[Jim Port]

The requirement to be within 5' of the entrance is a fairly recent change. In the past any accessible portion was acceptable for the grounding.


Not sure why T-stat or doorbell wire was used or the purpose.