In article om, John Ross wrote:

If it does trigger the new code, what are the restrictions in doing
this? Can you find where the old wire connected to the pipe and then
splice that to new wire and run it to within 5 feet?

Short answer:

You can splice it, if you do it the right way [see (1) below], or you can
connect the existing conductor to a busbar instead of the pipe, and connect a
jumper between the busbar and the pipe within 5' of the entrance.

Long answer:

"Grounding electrode conductors shall be installed in one continuous length
without a splice or joint, except as permitted in (1) through (4):
(1) Splicing shall be permitted only by irreversible compression-type
connectors listed as grounding and bonding equipment or by the exothermic
welding process.
(2) Sections of busbars shall be permitted to be bonded together to form a
grounding electrode conductor.
(3) Bonding jumper(s) from grounding electrode(s) and grounding electrode
conductor(s) shall be permitted to be connected to an aluminum or copper
busbar not less than 6mm x 50mm. The busbar shall be securely fastened and
shall be installed in an accessible location. Connections shall be made by a
listed connector or by the exothermic welding process.
(4) [installation req'mts for aluminum busbars]"

[2005 NEC, Article 250.64(C)]

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.