Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: ground rod

  1. #1
    Kevin Rutledge's Avatar
    Kevin Rutledge Guest

    Default ground rod

    I'm sorry, but I am new. Please have patience with me. I am confused, if you have a ground wire on the metal water pipe from the main panel, do you have to have a ground rod also? Thanks in advance.

    Similar Threads:
    Member Benefits1

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Atlanta, Georgia
    Posts
    1,088

    Default Re: ground rod

    Depends.

    Is the metal water pipe completely metal or did someone patch in some plastic and break the continuity?

    Does the metal pipe go at least 20 feet horizontal underground?

    If the metal pipe truely goes to ground, a driven rod is not needed. If the metal pipe does not go to ground, then the metal pipe does not ground the electrical system and there would need to be a driven rod.

    "The Code is not a peak to reach but a foundation to build from."

  3. #3
    Kevin Rutledge's Avatar
    Kevin Rutledge Guest

    Default Re: ground rod

    Thank you. I was getting some conflicting answers on that one.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Caledon, Ontario
    Posts
    4,982

    Default Re: ground rod


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,970

    Default Re: ground rod

    Quote Originally Posted by Bruce Ramsey View Post
    Depends.

    Is the metal water pipe completely metal or did someone patch in some plastic and break the continuity?

    Does the metal pipe go at least 20 feet horizontal underground?

    If the metal pipe truely goes to ground, a driven rod is not needed. If the metal pipe does not go to ground, then the metal pipe does not ground the electrical system and there would need to be a driven rod.
    The metallic pipe is only required to be in direct contact with earth of 10 feet, not 20.

    250.53(D)(2) also requires a supplemental electrode of which the rod is one way to satisfy this requirement.

    Expected you to catch this Jerry.


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: ground rod

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Port View Post
    Expected you to catch this Jerry.

    Jerry just now read this thread.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  7. #7
    John Steinke's Avatar
    John Steinke Guest

    Default Re: ground rod

    Grounding is a topic where the 'right' answer is determined by both age and locale.

    A pre-WW2 home, with a fuse box, was likely installed with a water bond only as the grounding means.

    If the service has been upgraded since then, or the home was built between WW2 and this millenium, it should have some manner of grounding electrode, in addition to the water bond. This grounding electrode is most often a ground rod; many places required at least two, set at least six feet apart. There are, however, other acceptable ways to make this electrode.

    In the past decade, many places are requiring the use of a "Ufer" type ground on new construction.


Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •