I recently replaced a section of copper pipe in my hot water line going to the kitchen. The pipe had eroded and was leaking in two places close to a joint. While working on the line I noticed a slight tingle like electricity so I installed a ground wire to the cold water pipe nearby. All of the pipes in my home are copper with some brass fittings. Could my pipe have been eroded by electrolysis or does copper pipe wear out like this?
COMMUNITY FORUM
I was just looking for facts on water consumption via copper tubing and read that grounding electricity through a copper water tube will cause erosion of the tube and put more copper in the water, which is not healthy to drink, and causes erosion of the copper tube quicker.
Cold water copper lines are commonly used for a ground with no problems.
If copper fails near a joint the causes could be
1- Faulty installation (no reaming)
2- The use of self cleaning fluxes that are not properly flushed out after soldering as the acid keeps attacking the copper joint or surrounding area
3- Excessive velocity especially on hot water
Many appliances say to connect to a copper water line NEVER to a gas line
If copper fails near a joint the causes could be
1- Faulty installation (no reaming)
2- The use of self cleaning fluxes that are not properly flushed out after soldering as the acid keeps attacking the copper joint or surrounding area
3- Excessive velocity especially on hot water
Many appliances say to connect to a copper water line NEVER to a gas line
"Many appliances say to connect to a copper water line NEVER to a gas line"
I don't understand what kind of connection that you are talking about.
If I had a gas furnace I would certainly want it connected to the gas line not the water line.
If you are talking about using a copper water line for grounding an applicance that is FORBOTTEN!
Code used to allow it, but has been illegal for many years.
Ground connections are only allowed withing the first 5 ft of where a metallic water line enters the building.
There are several reasons for the change.
One of which is that if the applicance has a defect and leaks current through the ground wire a plumber that happens to be working on that part of the line can become the ground path.
I understand that makes the plumbers very testy, if they survive.
I don't understand what kind of connection that you are talking about.
If I had a gas furnace I would certainly want it connected to the gas line not the water line.
If you are talking about using a copper water line for grounding an applicance that is FORBOTTEN!
Code used to allow it, but has been illegal for many years.
Ground connections are only allowed withing the first 5 ft of where a metallic water line enters the building.
There are several reasons for the change.
One of which is that if the applicance has a defect and leaks current through the ground wire a plumber that happens to be working on that part of the line can become the ground path.
I understand that makes the plumbers very testy, if they survive.
Bill, I always tell my employees when ever disconnecting a water meter etc use battery jumper cables before cutting /removing a section of piping.
Some of older buildings Circa 1922 have new appliances installed and the outlets are not provided with 3 prong so the use of a grounding wire is still common place
On many lead mains the grounding wire has been missing for years.
SEE the April 2000 article below
http://www.masterplumbers.com/plumbviews/2000/shock.asp
Some of older buildings Circa 1922 have new appliances installed and the outlets are not provided with 3 prong so the use of a grounding wire is still common place
On many lead mains the grounding wire has been missing for years.
SEE the April 2000 article below
http://www.masterplumbers.com/plumbviews/2000/shock.asp
