Where Should Ground Connection Be In Relation To Water Service Entance

Submitted by DonHester on Monday, ten/22/2012 - 09:16.

Grounding to Water Pipes- Electrical Inspections- Wenatchee and Quincy Home Inspections

When performing a home inspection and evaluating the electrical system I am always trying to confirm if a grounding organization is proper.

The Washington State Home Inspector Standards of Practice states ( WAC 308-408C-110 Electric system.)-
A habitation Inspector must:
( b) Report (i) The existence of a continued service-grounding conductor and service-grounding electrode when same can be determined. (2) When no connection to a service grounding electrode can be confirmed.

The purpose of the grounding electrode is to be connected to earth and to the electric equipment and then information technology establishes a zero difference of potential between the earth and the electrical equipment. This zero difference of potential helps stabilize voltage for the electrical system.

In improver the grounding electrode organization is used to limit the voltage imposed on the electrical system by lightning, line surges, or unintentional contact with higher-voltage lines.

Now during a home inspection it may not be easy to locate and I may not find it. Grounding electrodes can be cached and oftentimes not visible.

In many older homes it is common to use the water pipe as the primary grounding electrode. But often not within v feet of the entrance of the home.

Proper Grounding using water pipe -Wenatchee Home Inspection

The National Electrical Lawmaking states (per 2005/2008 NEC)-
250.52 Grounding Electrodes. (A) Electrodes Permitted for Grounding.
(i) Metallic Underground Water Pipe. A metal underground h2o piping in direct contact with the world for 3.0 chiliad (10 ft) or more (including any metal well casing bonded to the pipe) and electrically continuous (or fabricated electrically continuous by bonding around insulating joints or insulating pipe) to the points of connectedness of the grounding electrode conductor and the bonding conductors. Interior metallic h2o pipe located more 1.52 m (5 ft) from the bespeak of archway to the building shall not be used as a function of the grounding electrode system or as a conductor to interconnect electrodes that are part of the grounding electrode system.

At that place is a good reason for the 5 foot rule. Ofttimes in these older homes the plumbing has been modified and replaced with materials that are non conductive such as plastics. Also you want to make sure that if you take a removable component such as a pressure reducing valve or meter etc… that you do not lose footing during replacement or servicing.

Hither we have a perfect example of why this rule is so important. On this home inspection I found the footing has been severed when re-piping was performed. This home is now without a ground and is a safe consequence.

Grounding lost from re-piping Quincy Home Inpections

Beingness "Grounded" is e'er a practiced thing.

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