"Steve Barker" wrote in message
...
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.

NEC 250.53 Requires a supplemental electrode for an underground water
pipe