John Grabowski wrote:

"blueman" wrote in message
...

"John Grabowski" writes:

"blueman" wrote in message
...

When we had our electric service upgraded, the electrician (as
expected) ran a ground wire from the cold water main inlet to the
ground on the panel.

I read somewhere that one should also run a similar grounding wire to
the natural gas pipe inlet but the electrician didn't do that.
- Is it required by code?
- Is it recommended?
- Should one use the same gauge wire as for the water pipe?
- Any special considerations?
- Can I daisy chain it from the water pipe or do I need to run a
separate ground back to the panel?

Thanks

The correct term is "Bonded". The current code as written requires that

all

interior metal piping be bonded together. This can be accomplished by

using

#6 copper wire and approved clamps. It is common in New Jersey to bond

the

hot and cold water pipes together at the water heater location. It would

be

very easy to continue the bonding wire to the gas pipe at the water

heater.

Some jurisdictions do not require that the gas pipe also be bonded.

Some

gas companies do not want their pipes bonded. The electrical inspector

would

have noticed this and would have failed the job if it wasn't done

correctly.

Did the electrician also install at least one (Preferably two) ground

rod?

The electrician installed one exterior copper rod sunk in the ground
and attached directly to the 200A main breaker (which is exterior to
the house in a box with the meter) and then a second copper wire
running from where the water source enters the house (old galvanized
1" metal pipe) to the grounding strip within the 200A Subpanel.

Service Entrance
200A Main Breaker 200A Subpanel 100A Subpanel
Neurtral-----[----------]----------[-----------]---------[-----------]
[ | ] [ ] [ ]
Earth grnd --[--------- ]----------[-----------]---------[-----------]
|
Water pipe -----|

Note that all other subpanels feed off of the 200A Subpanel.
Note I have also shown where the neutral and grounds are bonded at the
main breaker.

Does this make sense and is it legal?



I think that the water pipe grounding conductor should have been connected
at the same point as the ground rod conductor at the main breaker in order
to be code compliant.


I agree. The NEC requires the water service pipe (if 10 ft or more
length underground) to be connected to the ground/neutral at the service
disconnect, along with the ground rod. Also connecting it to the ground
bar in the subpanel is OK.

bud--