Copper pipes in crawlspace grounding

[jeffdmc1]

Hello all,

The water supply from my water meter to the house is rubber pipe, but my water lines in the crawlspace are copper . Is it code to have a ground wire from the main electrical panel to the copper lines, since there is no metallic pipe to the house, which would provide a ground source? Currently, there is a #4 that does connect the panel to the copper pipes.

Possibly a ground is necessary in case of a lightning strike that finds the copper pipes in crawlspacex or the metal hose bib on the outside of the house.

The reason this came up is that the section of pipe where the ground is attached to has been replaced with pex thus ending the ground. I have to extend the #4 another 8 feet to connect to the copper again. Which brings up another question. Can the #4 ground wire, per code, be extended 8 feet using a split bolt or is a irreversible connecter need to be used?

Hopefully, this is the correct forum and method for DIYers.

Thank You
Jeff

 

[westward10]

You got there. I have moved this to the American section where hopefully @Megawatt one of our US members will pick it up.

 

[jeffdmc1]

You got there. I have moved this to the American section where hopefully @Megawatt one of our US members will pick it up.

Where do I locate the American section or does moderator make the selection?

 

[westward10]

Where do I locate the American section or does moderator make the selection?

Is already done.

 

[Megawatt]

Hello all,

The water supply from my water meter to the house is rubber pipe, but my water lines in the crawlspace are copper . Is it code to have a ground wire from the main electrical panel to the copper lines, since there is no metallic pipe to the house, which would provide a ground source? Currently, there is a #4 that does connect the panel to the copper pipes.

Possibly a ground is necessary in case of a lightning strike that finds the copper pipes in crawlspacex or the metal hose bib on the outside of the house.

The reason this came up is that the section of pipe where the ground is attached to has been replaced with pex thus ending the ground. I have to extend the #4 another 8 feet to connect to the copper again. Which brings up another question. Can the #4 ground wire, per code, be extended 8 feet using a split bolt or is a irreversible connecter need to be used?

Hopefully, this is the correct forum and method for DIYers.

Thank You
Jeff

Yes you can extend your # 4 8 feet. All copper and galvanized piping must be bonded to the main service. The ground wire is not for lighting, there has been many times a person has crawled under a house and grab the piping and got electrocuted. All metallic boxes, and piping must be bonded

 

[jeffdmc1]

Yes you can extend your # 4 8 feet. All copper and galvanized piping must be bonded to the main service. The ground wire is not for lighting, there has been many times a person has crawled under a house and grab the piping and got electrocuted. All metallic boxes, and piping must be bonded

Thank you for your answer and it does make sense. Can it be extended using a slit bolt? Also, could you give a couple of examples how the copper pipes in a crawlspace can become charged? Thank you once again.

 

[jeffdmc1]

In addition to this post that I started.
The electrical inspector in my county said that it is permissible to extend the #4 ground wire 8 feet, that connects to the copper pipe in the crawlspace, by using a split bolt. I've read where it is necessary to use two types of tape to wrap the connection securely and to protect against the bolt wearing through the tape.
If this is code and makes sense, what type of tapes would the forum users suggest?
Thank you for helping out with this project.

 

[Megawatt]

In addition to this post that I started.
The electrical inspector in my county said that it is permissible to extend the #4 ground wire 8 feet, that connects to the copper pipe in the crawlspace, by using a split bolt. I've read where it is necessary to use two types of tape to wrap the connection securely and to protect against the bolt wearing through the tape.
If this is code and makes sense, what type of tapes would the forum users suggest?
Thank you for helping out with this project.

The split bolts, you have to tape first with varnish tape, then rubber tape, and last you use scotch 33 tape. That is for split bolts for live wires. What you are doing does not require tapping. Good luck with your project