The GEC must connect to the water pipe within the first 5 feet of the pipe after it emerges from underground. Connecting the GEC to the water pipe at a point greater than 5 feet from where the piping enters the building was a code violation.

Can you bond water pipe anywhere?

This bonding can be done anywhere along the metal water piping system and is not required to be done within the first 5 feet where the piping system enters the building.

Where do you bond the water line?





The metal water pipe can be bonded to the electrical service enclosure, the grounded conductor at the service, the grounding electrode conductor where it is of sufficient size, or to one or more of the grounding electrodes for the service.

Do copper water pipes need to be grounded?

Answer: Most electrical codes require a home’s electrical system to be grounded through the copper or galvanized-iron water supply pipes that lead from the water main to your faucets. This is done by clamping the ground wire from the panel to a pipe.

Do I have to ground the water pipe?

The NEC requires that water pipes be bonded to ground, even if these metal pipes are not used as part of the grounding system.

Does water pipe need to be bonded?

Since Section 250.104(A) requires all water-piping systems to be bonded back to the service, and hot or cold water lines are not specifically mentioned, both hot and cold water lines must be bonded and connected back to the building service.

Do plastic water pipes need bonding?





If the pipes are made of plastic, they do not need to be main bonded. If the incoming pipes are made of plastic, but the pipes within the electrical installation are made of metal, the main bonding must be carried out.

What size does a water bond need to be?

The correct answer is 2 AWG, as per Table 250.66. Where hot and cold water pipes are electrically connected, you need only one bonding jumper — to either the cold- or hot-water pipe. Otherwise, use a single bonding jumper sized per 250.104(A)(1) to bond the hot- and cold-water piping together.

What is the difference between grounding and bonding?

Bonding is the connection of non-current-carrying conductive elements like enclosures and structures. Grounding is the attachment of bonded systems to the earth. Both are necessary to safeguard people and property from electric hazards.

Why do water pipes need to be earthed?

If the pipe is earthed, the earth leakage will trip as soon as it happens. Without earth, the whole length of the pipe would be at 240V; so not great for turning your taps on. Many other examples of where it could be useful, but nowadays there is so much plastic used in plumbing this is not a required practice.

Can I use a cold water pipe as a ground?



Popejoy, a licensed electrical contractor in Sacramento, California, replies: To answer your second question first, no, you can’t grab a ground from a cold-water pipe.

What does bonding a pipe mean?

Corrosionpedia Explains Bonding
Bonding is a technique by which two electrical conductors are joined together. This technique can be applied on two wires, a wire and a pipe or other pieces of equipment.

Does PEX water line need to be grounded?

In Closing. Proper home grounding is required with PEX plumbing. To ensure occupant safety, prevent fire, and protect appliances and electronics, use an 8-foot grounding rod. Refer to local code and consult a licensed electrician or plumber where needed.

When should I bond my water pipes?



As long as the Water pipe, Gas pipe or Oil pipe, coming into your property are metallic, Main Bonding is compulsory in all circumstances even when the rest of the pipes in your house are plastic.

Do gas and water pipes need bonding?

Protective bonding reduces the risk of life-threatening electric shocks and electrical fires in your home. It’s typically needed in older buildings where gas and water pipes are made from metal rather than plastic.

Do central heating pipes need to be bonded?

CH pipework only needs main bonding if it forms an extraneous-conductive-part (see definition in part 2 of BS7671) – that is if it is liable to introduce a potential, usally earth.

Do boiler pipes need to be bonded?

If you have MDPE as your supply, and copper afterwards, strictly speaking you do not need to main bond, but the NICEIC still prefer you to do so, and most sparks still will. Cross bonding under the boiler was never required in the 16th, and certainly not in the 17th.

Is earth bonding a legal requirement?



As of 2008, earth bonding is a legal requirement for any electrical installations in rooms that contain a shower or bath. The term ‘earth bonding’ refers to the use of a thick green and yellow copper cable to connect your gas meter or consumer unit to incoming supplies such as your gas pipe.

Do you need to cross bond pipes at boiler?

You don’t necessarily have to run 10mm2 G/Y back to the MET to main bond – it is permitted (if not wise) to use metallic water (but not gas) pipes etc. for part of the run, so “cross-bonding” say the cold water supply pipe to the flow & return at a combi boiler in 10mm2 could be necessary & sufficient.

Is bonding required?

Rather, bonding is required because experience has shown that when people are entrusted with the money or property of another, there will be instances when individuals will cause a loss through fraud or dishonesty. Bonding is therefore required to insure the union against such a loss.

Where do you bond the gas pipe?

Corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) gas piping systems shall be bonded to the electrical service grounding electrode system at the point where the gas service enters the building. The bonding jumper shall be not smaller than 6 AWG copper wire or equivalent.