Electrical grounding question.

ralfwho · Mar 2, 2011

I have a room addition that is supplied by PVC lines. From those I use copper to the vanity and shower fixtures. Is is necessary to ground the fixtures since there is no electrical continuity because of the PVC?

Thanks,
Stuart

havasu · Mar 2, 2011

I would say it's not necessary. People also run PEX and don't ground the pipes, so why would you need to?

CHRISM · Mar 5, 2011

"Hello",

I am NOT trying to `contradict` Havasu - But - It is NOT the Pex Pipes that need to be `Grounded`[Earthed - U.K.] - BUT ALL Metal Fixtures & Fittings should be `Grounded` within a Bathroom or Shower Room - AND other `locations` - E.G. Kitchen Sink & Pipework - PLUS other `Instalations - such as Gas Meters & Pipework.

Perhaps this will be helpful:

In the U.K. the Electrical REGULATIONS state that ALL Metal Fittings / Fixtures within a Bathroom or Shower Room etc. MUST BE `Earthed` [ `GROUNDED`] - IF Copper Pipework is used to all Fittings / Fixtures - Bath Taps [Faucets] Shower Valve - Vanity Basin Taps - Bidet - Towel Rail & Radiator Pipework - Metal Waste Pipework etc. - it MUST ALL be `Earthed`/ `Grounded`.

These Pipes and Metal Items are `Cross Bonded` = Earth Ground Wires [Of correct Core Size for Regs] are Connected together from EACH Pipe - then run back to the `Consumer Unit` EARTH / GROUND Terminal.

Even without Copper / Metal Pipework - I would suggest that You DO need to `Ground`[Earth] ALL Metal Items in Your Bathroom - This would include the `Waste Water Pipework` - IF it is Metal.

As You will know if a situation occurs where a person touches a Metal Object that has `somehow` become Electrically `Live`- and which is NOT `Grounded`/ `Earthed` - THEY become the `Path to Earth`[Ground] - This often leads to DEATH ! !

IF the Electrical Codes [Regulations] in the U.S. do NOT `SPECIFY` this - I would be `SHOCKED` - "Excuse the Pun`.

IF the U.S. `Regulations`/ Codes do NOT specify this - Because the Cost of `Earth`/ `Ground` Wire and some `Ground`/ `Earth` Wire Clamps / `Clips` - is NOT MUCH [U.K.] - I would Advise You to carry out this possibly `Life Saving` task to your Bathroom Kitchen - Gas Meter etc.

In the U.K. we also have Regulations / Codes that `Restrict` where Electrical Items can be positioned within a Bathroom / Shower Room etc. - AND where `Low Voltage` items would be `Allowed` - where 235 Volt would not.
These Regulations apply to `Power Outlets` - Lights - Fans - Heaters etc. - and there are `ZONES` within which various of the above are `Prohibited` or `Allowed` - I am `Guessing` that similar applies in the U.S. Electrical Codes / Regulations - ???

I hope that this is `Helpful`.

"Regards",

CHRISM. - [ U.K. Building Services Engineer]

ralfwho · Mar 10, 2011

My thanks to all that have responded.

AllAces777 · Mar 12, 2011

Sounds like an electrician question.

Dammit Jim, Im a plumber not an electrician!

jwwing · Apr 14, 2012

ralfwho: I am fairly certain that you should ground the plumbing in the US. The plumbing is not to be used as the electrical ground as it once was and should not be connected to the neutral wire as it once was.

FYI I checked the plumbing in my house built in 2005 and found resistance readings of 0 ohms between the ground of the outlets to the copper pipes at all faucets etc., but readings of nearly 100 megohms to the metal handles of the faucets. I found a ground wire clamped to the cold water line prior to the shutoff for the hotwater heater (gas) - I don't know if there are other ground clamps (doubt it). The stainless steel kitchen sink was nearly 100 megohms to the ground and had similar readings to the stainless steel faucet on the sink.

If there happened to be a fault where 110 vac was allowed to reach the ground wire system so that the ground attempted to rise above 0 vac, there would be a big pop as the wires fried (arc burned up to open) and anyone touching the steel sink or metal faucet at that moment might actually feel a slight tingle.