Originally posted by Dspark:
>[b]an extra rod must NOT be used, or it could render the breaker inoperative.
Now that sounds scary! It obviously is not failsafe.[/B]
It can actually get a lot more complicated that just not installing an extra rod, because any parallel ground path could desensitize the ELCB.
If someone were to run a copper pipe underground to bring water to the garage, and a water heater was installed, the ground connection via the pipework could cause problems.
That's one of the reasons why this type of ELCB was/is so problematical and they are no longer made.
Fortunately, I've been able to "educate" the local plumber I work with regularly so that he can identify these units and advise the customer to get it checked or changed if he's run new pipes.
