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Steam pipes

jackchips_2
jackchips_2 Member Posts: 1,338
a shocking reminder, Alan.

Many years ago, when starting to replace a 4" CI soil stack, I put the sawsall to it and was zapped pretty good. The entire stack was alive from a wire.

Not just heating pipes and I bet there are many of us who have had similar experiences with all kinds of piping.

Looking forward to wireless power. :-))

Jack

Comments

  • Jerome
    Jerome Member Posts: 1
    Steam Pipes

    Are steam pipes supposed to be grounded with some sort of jumper from the pipe(s) to the house ground?

    I understand the boiler itself is grounded, but what about the network of piping running around the perimeter of the cellar. Should a copper jumper cable be attached someplace directly between a steam pipe and bonded to the house's grounding system independently of the boiler's ground?

    I have heard and seen conflicting theories on this.

    What do you experts have to say?

    Thanks
  • Never

    thought about it, but it's probably not a bad idea. If, for any reason a live wire were to come in contact with a heating pipe, the piping would become "live" and you could get a shock from it. If the pipes are grounded, it would blow the circuit breaker instead of electrifying the pipe.

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  • Hank
    Hank Member Posts: 1


    Doesn't that create an alternate grounding loop/path that could defeat the boiler's ground?
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