Master Brian
DIY Senior Member
I had an electrician change my 65amp panel to a 200amp panel. If it matters, there is also a subpanel that was installed in my basement and a subpanel installed in my garage. Being that I like to know what and why is going on, I tried to pay a bit of attention.
I know that the 200amp panel is grounded to a grounding rod outside, I also know he ran some bare wire to the copper waterlines in my house. The copper wire runs about 30-40' and is secured to the copper pipe near my hot water tank. I questioned why he ran it so far accross the house, when there was a copper water line closer, but don't remember what he said. When the inspector came out, he also questioned it, but said what he did was fine.
I am wanting to install a new hot water tank and will be installing to a new location. I am also replacing some of the copper with pex, just to clean things up, so I can finish off the basement ceiling. My question is, if the copper water lines will now be further away, can I add to the copper grounding wire to make it longer? If so, what is the best method to do this? I am not sure what gauge the wire is, but can probably find out and I'll be moving this about 10', thought not sure I would need 10' of wire. Or do I need to run a complete new wire?
One other thing while on the subject, I will also be moving the copper line that the phone company grounded to as well as the cable company. Can I splice into those grounds to move them 20' over? ....or do I need to run all new grounding wire? Is there a certain gauge I need for the runs?
I know that the 200amp panel is grounded to a grounding rod outside, I also know he ran some bare wire to the copper waterlines in my house. The copper wire runs about 30-40' and is secured to the copper pipe near my hot water tank. I questioned why he ran it so far accross the house, when there was a copper water line closer, but don't remember what he said. When the inspector came out, he also questioned it, but said what he did was fine.
I am wanting to install a new hot water tank and will be installing to a new location. I am also replacing some of the copper with pex, just to clean things up, so I can finish off the basement ceiling. My question is, if the copper water lines will now be further away, can I add to the copper grounding wire to make it longer? If so, what is the best method to do this? I am not sure what gauge the wire is, but can probably find out and I'll be moving this about 10', thought not sure I would need 10' of wire. Or do I need to run a complete new wire?
One other thing while on the subject, I will also be moving the copper line that the phone company grounded to as well as the cable company. Can I splice into those grounds to move them 20' over? ....or do I need to run all new grounding wire? Is there a certain gauge I need for the runs?