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Dielectric union / coupling at gas meter Smarty 11-08-2006
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Posted by Smarty on November 8, 2006, 8:40 am


Is it necessary or desirable to use a dielectric union or coupling when
connecting new gas lines to a gas meter? I have seen this done in some
installations but not others.

What is the correct thing to do?

Thanks for any replies / assistance.

Smarty



Posted by Jeff Wisnia on November 8, 2006, 10:39 am


Smarty wrote:
> Is it necessary or desirable to use a dielectric union or coupling when
> connecting new gas lines to a gas meter? I have seen this done in some
> installations but not others.
>
> What is the correct thing to do?
>
> Thanks for any replies / assistance.
>
> Smarty
>
>

It depends upon whether your gas utility uses metal supply lines with
"active cathodic protection" or not.

If they do, then they apply a low voltage to their pipes to prevent
electrolytic corrosion and the dielectric unions are needed to avoid
shorting that voltage to ground through the home's plumbing and/or
electrical grounding system.

Best to check with your gas utility and do what they say. AFAIK
nonmetalic supply lines are the defacto stardard for new installations
nowadays.

HTH,

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.


Posted by EXT on November 8, 2006, 10:49 am


In most cases an insulating coupling is part of the meter set supplied by
the utility, of course, this may vary in some localities.

> Smarty wrote:
>> Is it necessary or desirable to use a dielectric union or coupling when
>> connecting new gas lines to a gas meter? I have seen this done in some
>> installations but not others.
>>
>> What is the correct thing to do?
>>
>> Thanks for any replies / assistance.
>>
>> Smarty
>
> It depends upon whether your gas utility uses metal supply lines with
> "active cathodic protection" or not.
>
> If they do, then they apply a low voltage to their pipes to prevent
> electrolytic corrosion and the dielectric unions are needed to avoid
> shorting that voltage to ground through the home's plumbing and/or
> electrical grounding system.
>
> Best to check with your gas utility and do what they say. AFAIK nonmetalic
> supply lines are the defacto stardard for new installations nowadays.
>
> HTH,
>
> Jeff
>
> --
> Jeffry Wisnia
> (W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
> The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.
>



Posted by Smarty on November 8, 2006, 12:58 pm


Thanks also for your reply, EXT.


> In most cases an insulating coupling is part of the meter set supplied by
> the utility, of course, this may vary in some localities.
>
>> Smarty wrote:
>>> Is it necessary or desirable to use a dielectric union or coupling when
>>> connecting new gas lines to a gas meter? I have seen this done in some
>>> installations but not others.
>>>
>>> What is the correct thing to do?
>>>
>>> Thanks for any replies / assistance.
>>>
>>> Smarty
>>
>> It depends upon whether your gas utility uses metal supply lines with
>> "active cathodic protection" or not.
>>
>> If they do, then they apply a low voltage to their pipes to prevent
>> electrolytic corrosion and the dielectric unions are needed to avoid
>> shorting that voltage to ground through the home's plumbing and/or
>> electrical grounding system.
>>
>> Best to check with your gas utility and do what they say. AFAIK
>> nonmetalic supply lines are the defacto stardard for new installations
>> nowadays.
>>
>> HTH,
>>
>> Jeff
>>
>> --
>> Jeffry Wisnia
>> (W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
>> The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.
>>
>
>



Posted by Smarty on November 8, 2006, 12:57 pm


Thanks Jeff (and 73's) - I was unaware that the utilities used an active
method to fight electrolytic erosion / transfer. This is a retrofit to an
existing meter and a 50+ year old underground supply line, so I think it
best I put the dielectric union in "just in case".

Thanks again,

Smarty (another older, retired E.E.)


> Smarty wrote:
>> Is it necessary or desirable to use a dielectric union or coupling when
>> connecting new gas lines to a gas meter? I have seen this done in some
>> installations but not others.
>>
>> What is the correct thing to do?
>>
>> Thanks for any replies / assistance.
>>
>> Smarty
>
> It depends upon whether your gas utility uses metal supply lines with
> "active cathodic protection" or not.
>
> If they do, then they apply a low voltage to their pipes to prevent
> electrolytic corrosion and the dielectric unions are needed to avoid
> shorting that voltage to ground through the home's plumbing and/or
> electrical grounding system.
>
> Best to check with your gas utility and do what they say. AFAIK nonmetalic
> supply lines are the defacto stardard for new installations nowadays.
>
> HTH,
>
> Jeff
>
> --
> Jeffry Wisnia
> (W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
> The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.
>



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