In Reply to: Re: I guess I am missing your point too posted by danlaudionut on April 27, 2007 at 10:57:46:
But I can't abide telling someone to break them in an open public forum.Yes, you are correct that the neutral, ground rods, and utility service pipes (even building steel in some cases) should all be bonded together. But the important point is that they are to be bonded together at one place and with one unbroken wire. Just like in your amp you don't establish one main star ground point and take half your grounds there and just solder the other half to the chassis any old place. That leads to ground hum due to a differnt impedance (or potential) to ground even though the chassis is a large conductor compared to the currents involved.
Now if unknown to you, said water pipe had a high impedance for any number of reasons....like a poor screw/solder joint....or a bit of plastic pipe...or whatever....it could indeed have a high enough impedance to prevent the breaker from tripping. 120volts/20amps=6ohms so if you have anywhere near 6 ohms difference between water pipe and neutral the circuit breaker would not work....plus if someone was in the tub bad news. Also keep in mind that during a true short circuit said breaker will actually develop fault currents near 10,000 amps....and that is no small current. Best to follow code and have all grounds originate and terminate in one location.
Russ
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Follow Ups
- I don't make the codes - Russ57 12:03:46 04/27/07 (1)
- Re: I don't make the codes - danlaudionut 15:21:22 04/27/07 (0)