Can you use a copper water pipe as an eletrical ground without causeing problems? I need to setup a ground for a computer in a older house that does not have grounded plugs.
2006-12-03 02:35:24 · 12 answers · asked by falcon10_98 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Daffy is correct you can use it for the ground, but you have to make sure there is at least four feet of copper pipe that goes into the ground its self, because if they came from your water hook up with plastic pipe, you will have NO ground, if it doesn't you can drive a ground rod at the closest point you want to ground your PC and run the ground wire to it you can get a ground rod at Lowes or Home depot, don't forget the ground clamp too.
2006-12-03 03:28:00 · answer #1 · answered by Ray D 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes but it won't be the most effective. If nothing else use it. Try to stick with steel. Make sure it is not a gas or water pipe if you do use it.
Before you ground it, especially on a pipe, take some sand paper and sand the area you are going to connect your ground to. Make sure you sand it very well. After that wash it off with water. Allow it to dry. Then connect your ground. This will allow a cleaner connection, reducing noise and interference.
2006-12-03 10:40:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, that is commonly done. But you must have metal pipe going into the ground. Sometimes the house may be fed with Poly pipe (black plastic pipe), in that case you will need to use a grounding rod.
2006-12-03 11:03:15 · answer #3 · answered by daffyduct2006 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some clothes washers still come with connections to allow them to be grounded to metal plumbing.
I think any grounding system has the potential for "Stray currents" to be present. I don't know for sure but I suspect surge protectors will protect against surges in the grounding system caused by the likes of lightning strikes as long as the grounding goes through the surge protector.
2006-12-03 10:44:51 · answer #4 · answered by Coach 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might notice copper pipes being used as grounds if you check. It's a very common thing. An electrician might tell you something like make it close to the ground, i.e. don't use a copper water pipe on the second floor as a ground, i dunno. I wonder if you'd get shocked...
2006-12-03 10:39:26 · answer #5 · answered by Lobster Dinosaur 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because water lines often have plastic isolaters inline, waterlines are not considered a ground!
Install a ground rod outside run it to the breaker box, then go from there!
2006-12-03 10:42:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anarchy99 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it can be used as a ground. But it should not contain water.
2006-12-03 10:36:55 · answer #7 · answered by M.R.Palaniappa 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
no, because in the event of a short, the piping would become electrified.
2006-12-03 10:37:17 · answer #8 · answered by shoby_shoby2003 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes
2006-12-03 10:37:43 · answer #9 · answered by info click 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
shure can drive it down deep
2006-12-03 10:37:43 · answer #10 · answered by wofford1257 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋