[Dylanewilliams]

I was taught the cold water main needs to be bonded within 5' of entering a home, and that the water heater needs to be bonded around separately and run back to the panel. I am looking throughout 250 and can't find either of those requirements, only that the cold water needs to be bonded somewhere and the other pipes can be bonded to one of the grounding electrodes, not necessarily back to the disconnect.

So what I'm understanding is that you can bond the CW wherever is most convenient to tie into it, and then bond around the water heater, saying that the CW line is a grounding electrode (since the lateral is buried for over 10') and therefore you don't need to bring the water heater bonding line back to the panel.

Am I wrong?

 

[bkmichael65]

The egc you run to the water heater is all that is usually required, although some places want a jumper between hot and cold.

 

[RIVETER]

I was taught the cold water main needs to be bonded within 5' of entering a home, and that the water heater needs to be bonded around separately and run back to the panel. I am looking throughout 250 and can't find either of those requirements, only that the cold water needs to be bonded somewhere and the other pipes can be bonded to one of the grounding electrodes, not necessarily back to the disconnect.

So what I'm understanding is that you can bond the CW wherever is most convenient to tie into it, and then bond around the water heater, saying that the CW line is a grounding electrode (since the lateral is buried for over 10') and therefore you don't need to bring the water heater bonding line back to the panel.

Am I wrong?

I believe that you may be confused about bonding the CW pipe. The cold water line...if it is in contact with the earth for at least 10 feet must be used as a grounding ELECTRODE. And it must be connected via proper clamps to the neutral of the service. That is not bonding...it is grounding.

 

[someonespecial]

What if the water from the well comes in on poly pipe, most of the plumbing is pex, but there is a copper line going out to a yard hydrant? Does that need to be bonded / grounded?

 

[Deep Cover]

If it's 10' or more, it needs to be used as an electrode.

 

[RIVETER]

If it's 10' or more, it needs to be used as an electrode.

The hydrant issue is interesting. Usually the water supply piping is grounded. The fact that a hydrant supply piping is not the supply to the premises may be up to discussion but not for me. I agree with you, it should be used as an electrode...and NOT just bonded.

 

[DIYer4Life]

I've never ran any type of ground to a water heater. What we always do is jump the hot and cold because somewhere in 250 it says it needs to be continuous or something like that.

 

[RIVETER]

I've never ran any type of ground to a water heater. What we always do is jump the hot and cold because somewhere in 250 it says it needs to be continuous or something like that.

Are you saying that you have not taken an EGC to the shell of the water heater?

 

[Magnettica]

Are you saying that you have not taken an EGC to the shell of the water heater?

Why would you do that? Is the shell likely to become energized?

 

[DIYer4Life]

Are you saying that you have not taken an EGC to the shell of the water heater?

That's what I said.

 

[RIVETER]

That's what I said.

Do you see the error of your ways?

 

[DIYer4Life]

Do you see the error of your ways?

No. Neither does the inspectors, the code, or common sense.

 

[RIVETER]

I've never ran any type of ground to a water heater. What we always do is jump the hot and cold because somewhere in 250 it says it needs to be continuous or something like that.

Are you talking about an electric water heater?

 

[DIYer4Life]

Are you talking about an electric water heater?

No, those things are only for silly people who don't have natural gas.

 

[RIVETER]

No, those things are only for silly people who don't have natural gas.

Now you're talking. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[360max]

Hot Water Heater
read last sentence of 250.104 (B) ('08 NEC)


Cold Water Pipe
last sentence 250.52(A)(1)