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Easy grounding question (I hope)

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  • Easy grounding question (I hope)

    Im working on solar self install and I dont want to pull a ground all the way to a water spigot. I have the gas pipes nearby. I tried to find some sort of CFC (250.53) or CEC (605ish) code that have to do with bonding to a gas pipe to see if there is a problem with it. All I can find is that it cannot be aluminum and the bond cant be underground. But I am not an electrician so I am not sure if there are other codes.

    So my question is; Are there any issues with bonding to the outside gas pipe that is coming into my house and then ground that with a couple of rods? Or does it have to be a water bond?

    Thanks in advance.

  • #2
    What are you installing? Grid-tie? Off-grid? New construction?
    CS6P-260P/SE3000 - http://tiny.cc/ed5ozx

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    • #3
      Originally posted by sensij View Post
      What are you installing? Grid-tie? Off-grid? New construction?
      Grid tie, rooftop, no new construction.

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      • #4
        Your existing ground rod for your service panel may be all that you need, if you have one. How is your service grounded now?

        CS6P-260P/SE3000 - http://tiny.cc/ed5ozx

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        • #5
          Originally posted by sensij View Post
          Your existing ground rod for your service panel may be all that you need, if you have one. How is your service grounded now?
          There is a single ground coming out of a smaller panel near my service panel but I am not 100% sure that its going to the service panel. It wouldnt take much for me to add the bond to the gas pipe, it is literally 2 feet below the service panel and the ground there is not concrete so I can put in a couple of rods without any issues.

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          • #6
            Leave the gas pipe out of this. If you don't trust your existing ground, one approach would be to sink a couple of rods (more than 6 ft apart), bond them together, and run a new ground wire from them to the ground bus in your main service panel. (Where your existing ground electrode conductor comes in).
            CS6P-260P/SE3000 - http://tiny.cc/ed5ozx

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            • #7
              Originally posted by sensij View Post
              Leave the gas pipe out of this. If you don't trust your existing ground, one approach would be to sink a couple of rods (more than 6 ft apart), bond them together, and run a new ground wire from them to the ground bus in your main service panel. (Where your existing ground electrode conductor comes in).
              Ok cool. I thought it had to be bonded to a water pipe for some mysterious reason. Your solution is easy enough.

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              • #8
                Its a code violation to use a gas pipe as a ground electrode. Don't do it (the gas pipe should already be bonded but it itself cannot be the ground electrode) . Since it is self install have a quick chat with the local building department and ask them how they prefer you handle 690.47(D) and follow what they say to do.

                Edit - for those interested in the code section, 250.52(B)
                (B) Not Permitted for use as Grounding Electrodes.
                The following systems and materials shall not be used as grounding electrodes.
                (1) Metal underground gas piping systems.
                (2) Aluminum
                Informational Note: See 250.104(B) for bonding requirements of gas piping.
                Last edited by tyab; 09-09-2017, 12:33 PM.

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                • #9
                  Los Angeles County does not allow a gas pipe as a ground. Often, the lines in the street are plastic.
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