After receiving this recent request, "…I have CSST that I believe is not grounded and would like an estimate for grounding it…", we decided to write this blog and explain proper grounding for CSST and other gas supply lines. BUT that does not mean they are safe. Other organizations maintain similar rules for bonding gas lines, including the National Electrical Code. This meant that CSST manufacturers had to perform even more rigorous testing on direct bonding, in order to be sure that there is going to be a massive reduction in possible damage caused by CSST, if lighting strikes happened. 250-104(c) in the 1999 NEC (previously Sec. Nearby lightning strikes can also result in an electrical surge and can potentially puncture a hole in the CSST. As compared, CSST is sheathed and the corrugation is not highly visible. 2009 – Gas codes upgraded, requiring direct bonding of CSST. These homes may, or may not have bonded gas lines. As for bonding the gas pipe, according to the National Electrical Code, metal piping systems that are "likely to become energized" must be bonded (250. It is important to hire experienced contractors with knowledge about bonding and grounding requirements when installing or repairing any gas line in order to ensure maximum safety. If you find CSST after inspecting your home or business, it is strongly recommended that you determine if the CSST system is properly bonded and grounded.
Bonding Gas Line To Electrical Panel Parallels
Millions of Americans rely on natural gas each day to make their lives easier and more comfortable. It requires a bonding conductor (most commonly braided or solid copper wiring such as #6 AWG copper or #4 aluminum) to be connected to the gas line and then connected to the home's electrical grounding system (normally to a grounding terminal in the home's main breaker panel). Past requirements called for the bonding connection to be made at the upstream-most point of CSST but this is no longer the case. This bond ensures that all portions of the system are at the same electrical potential, reducing the risk of an electrical shock. Look for flexible tubing with a yellow or black jacket that covers the ridges. All CSST manufacturers today recommend the bonding of CSST with the electrical ground system of the house should be completed with a copper 6 AWG wire or similar. Modern electrical and building standards require gas piping to be able to withstand the energy of a lightning strike, whether the strike is direct or indirect. How else to Identify FAC: - FAC does not require bonding.
Gas Line Bonding Wire
CSST is approved for use both with natural gas and LP (propane). Another benefit of this material is the amount of installation time it saves. If you own a newer home or you've recently added gas lines to your home, there's a good possibility that someone used CSST. The NEC states in Section 250. TracPipe® CounterStrike® has been designed with a proprietary jacket material in place of the standard yellow jacket. A bonding device should be installed on your natural gas system in order to reduce the chances of a natural gas leak or fire. Is Gas Pipe Grounding Legal?
Bonding Gas Line To Electrical Panel On Climate Change
The other end of that wire shown above went into the main electric panel. Grounding conductor, equipment: The conductor used to connect the noncurrent-carrying metal parts of equipment, raceways, and other enclosures to the system grounded conductor, grounding electrode conductor, or both; at the service equipment or the source of a separately derived system. 250-52(a) of the NEC, which states: "You must not use an underground metal gas piping system as a grounding electrode" No wonder so many people are uncertain. The process also prevents sparking by giving electricity a safe place to go and preventing build-ups or arcs that could potentially damage gas lines. My question is.. where should i move the existing ground wire to in the panel? Depending on where you're working, you should check with the AHJ for their official interpretation. This bond must also meet all applicable local and national code requirements. Nobody cares about any of this stuff until it concerns a house you own or you're buying, and then it's really important. This change makes it much easier to properly bond CSST. As you can see, there is a significant multi-year gap in which Building Codes did not require proper bonding of flexible gas lines. Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) is a flexible, stainless steel pipe used to supply natural gas and propane in residential, commercial and industrial structures. Homes without updated electrical installed, for example, those that rely on knob-and-tube wiring systems or have a plethora of two-prong outlets, may not have a ground wire.
If there is a power surge during a lightning storm, or if there is a fault in the wiring system, the electricity has a place to go through the backup pathway the ground wire provides. If CSST is installed without being properly bonded to current standards, you have an increased risk for damage to the material from a nearby lightning strike. 2011- NFPA 70 National Electric Code added CSST bonding reference. When building officials have asked the manufacturer how much distance is required, the manufacturer has left it up to the building official. For more about CSST, read our article The California Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing Act. This article details a potential hazard related to Flexible, Yellow, Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) Gas Lines within your home. The installation requirements for gas pipe and gas appliance connectors are very different.