ACTUALLY they don't. Read it closer.

s


"George" wrote in message
...
Steve Barker wrote:
just fyi, using copper supply line for a ground does indeed meet code as
long as there's at least 15 feet of copper outside the foundation. In
fact, in our jurisdiction, that is 'all' that is required. All the lines
in our town are required to be copper from the house to the meter.

s


"Mark" wrote in message
...
Arron, You've had a lot of comments and suggestions already. Here is a
description of the parts in your picture. Starting from the left:

The valve - that is apparently what you are planning to replace. Any
reason? It doesn't appear to be leaking and seams fairly new. Is it a
case that it doesn't shut off completely?

Ground wire / clamp - In older homes (as mine is) they use to ground the
entire electric system to the cold water supply. Look for this:
somewhere near your electric panel is there a similar wire coming out of
the panel and connecting to a cold water pipe? If so, that is the main
ground for your electric. That's not code today, but may be
"grandfathered" in as long as you don't upgrade the electric which would
require you bring it up to code. Regardless, as another poster has
mentioned, it is also necessary to ground the plumbing system. It
should connect on the other side of the meter. It was mentioned that
this was in case the meter was removed, but it is also necessary in many
cases, and yours looks to be one of them, the meter is largely plastic
and therefore doesn't provide an adequate ground.

The Blue cap - that is a tamper device intended to prevent you from
removing the meter, or more likely tell the water company that you might
have done so. Less scrupulous people will try anything to save a buck
and will pull the meter and put in a piece of pipe to get water for
free. Note that if you are planning to remove the meter to do your valve
replacement you may want to contact the water company. They will take a
reading, want to put a tamper device back on afterwards.

The meter - Yup! That's what tells the water company how much you use.
Lots of hi-tech comments on what the coiled wire is, but since your
meter looks pretty much like mine, I'd bet you simply have a remote
outside reader. Follow the wire up the wall to where it exits the house
and probably somewhere near there on the outside you will see a small
meter. The meter reader still walks the neighborhood, but only has to
read the dials on this outside meter to tell your usage. However, these
have been know to get out of sync with the inside meter, so it is a good
idea to check them both occasionally and make sure the numbers match.
A neighbor of mine had a case where theirs was way out of sync in the
water company's favor and they got a $300 water bill.




"Aaron Fude" wrote in message
...
Hi,

This is related to the earlier post where I was asking about replacing
valves on my water supply line. Here's a picture of what that area
looks like:

http://freeboundaries.com/thing.jpg

I know what the #4 copper wire is for, but what the heck is that ugly
devide in middle for and can I cut it out?

Many thanks in advance,

Aaron


Sounds like your location might be pretty unique. The NEC has required
supplemental grounding electrodes for quite some time.