Originally posted by pauluk:
The use of a water pipe as a grounding electrode was outlawed by the IEE here as far back as the 1966 edition due to the increasing use of plastic pipes and couplings. Even the 1955 notes state that caution should be used and to check.
According to 250-130(c), it is permissible to do this, I have always thought it strange because in article 300-3(b)'all conductors of the same circuit and when used grounded and equipment grounding conductor shall be ccontained in the same raceway.
250-130(c) for Nongrounding receptalce replacement or brancch circuit extension, they list 3 conditions, most telling is no.3 which says, An equipment grounding conductor is connected between the receptacle grounding terminal and any accessible point on the grounding electrode system, ergo the water pipe. which is tied back to the panel by the electrode grounding conductor.
