[Heathkit] Gadzooks, when is a ground a ground?

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 6 Dec 2007 at 10:40, Ian wrote:

> San Jose, CA area, circa 1980.
> 
> When I did some rewiring (with proper permits) I was told that I had
> to have a COLD WATER PIPE ground.

That is sort of odd. As I read the NEC, there is a choice 
between one or more DEDICATED ground rods, OR a cold 
water pipe that is contiguous. I know when I put in a new 
200 amp panel in our home, a new service entrance, a new 
meter base, and rewired everything I could reach with new 
Romex, the electrical inspector REQUIRED a separate, 
dedicated ground rod. I put in two.


>  They wanted heavy copper wire to
> the pipe which was a long way away from the service entrance. 

Hmmm...that sounds to me like a local requirement. Water 
pipes make pretty poor grounds, even when they weren't 
mostly plastic.

> 
> I ended up doing some trenching and putting in some extra hose bibs
> and running the cold water pipe by the service panel.

Good thinking! :-)

> 
> Much cheaper.  They would NOT accept a ground rod of any sort.

MOST odd... I wonder if they have read the new NEC?

> 
> Look at alternatives to make the job least costly.

Agreed.

Ken W7EKB