Has anyone seen this type of main water line? Grounding wire is attached to main water shut off that is attached to this going into ground. I have not see it before and was wondering is it coated copper?
Is that blue pipe metal? That looks like some kind of compression fitting on it.
That’s what I could not tell. A magnet would not stick to it so it would make me think that his copper. all outlets throughout the house show that they are properly grounded. The only grounding wire I could find was attached to the main water shut off that was attached to that light blue water line. Maybe it is coated copper? I have not seen it before. It was stiff and non malleable
I would not expect that to be steel. When in doubt, I tap it with my screwdriver. While I have rarely had to tap piping like this, there is no doubt if it is metal or PEX. I have not seen coated copper used like this, so I suspect PEX, so of course, that would not be an adequate grounding bond it that is the case.
It does not even appear to be fastened to anything in that picture and Your water Main appears to be non-metallic
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Have any further back pics? Where is the meter? What does that tag say? Might be different in other areas, but I don’t usually see the main traveling that far vertically before the meter. Maybe the picture is deceiving though.
The pipe may be similar this, coated copper. Too bad the manufacturer did not stamp it. Makes me think it is some China knock-off 
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I bet this is it, thank you!
Verrry interesting…
Maybe. On my link the product description makes two interesting points. However, I did not check and see if it is “formally approved” by any code standard.
One point is why it is coated. Second point is about markings.
I’ve seen coated copper pipe used in commercial/industrial settings but not residential. The use of compression fittings like that isn’t all that unusual though. If it’s copper tubing that came in a roll, it was likely slightly oval. If the plumber didn’t have the right type of shaping tool to make it round enough for a soldered fitting, a compression fitting would work to seal up the connection.
Were there any markings on the blue pipe?
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Can’t tell from the photo but if the metal water pipe is a grounding electrode then the connection of the GEC to the electrode must be within 5’ of where the pipe enters the building.
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Just so you know, this has nothing to do with the GEC. As long as the grounding conductors in the home are bonded at the panel, testers will still show ‘grounded’.
Whenever I only find the GEC to the water main, I always call out that if the service line is ever replaced, it may be plastic, and no longer conductive. I also recommend an electrician add a secondary grounding means (typically two ground rods) to bring to current codes.
So it should be called out anyways, IMO
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Noting written on it…
If it was plastic then the house would not be grounded?
Thank you!
The house would still be grounded at the transformer through the neutral. The GEC is really just for overcurrent/surge protection from a lightning strike nearby
But, yes, if it is plastic, then there is no GEC to earth
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I’m use to seeing bare strand copper or Aluminum cable, not bare solid copper wire.
Looks like bonding cable to bond metallic equipment & system in the residence.
Where bare solid copper cable goes into the earth/ground, might be due to an Ufer grounding system like a concrete-encased electrode.
Thanks for sharing.
Robert
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