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Ground current through water main/meter Proctologically Violated©® 10-30-2006
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Posted by Proctologically Violated©® on October 30, 2006, 11:20 am


Awl--

How much is acceptable?
An amp-probe reveals between 2 and 6 amps, depending on how balanced the
load is on each leg of the main panel.
I'm hearing that the neutral from the panel is connected to a *steel* cable
outside, while the hots are indeed connected to copper conductors. This
would explain some current going through ground.

If the water main connection is broken, no noticeable effect in the
house--or so it seems.

Mebbe I'll amp-probe some of my neighbors plumbing. :)
--
Mr. P.V.'d (formerly Droll Troll), Yonkers, NY
Stop Corruption in Congress & Send the Ultimate Message:
Absolutely Vote, for *Anyone BUT* a Democrat or a Republican
Ending Corruption in Congress is the Single Best Way
to Materially Improve Your Life
entropic3.14decay at optonline2.718 dot net; remove pi and e to reply--ie,
all d'numbuhs



AppliancePartsPros.com, Inc.
Posted by Pete C. on October 30, 2006, 11:39 am


"Proctologically Violated©®" wrote:
>
> Awl--
>
> How much is acceptable?
> An amp-probe reveals between 2 and 6 amps, depending on how balanced the
> load is on each leg of the main panel.
> I'm hearing that the neutral from the panel is connected to a *steel* cable
> outside, while the hots are indeed connected to copper conductors. This
> would explain some current going through ground.
>
> If the water main connection is broken, no noticeable effect in the
> house--or so it seems.
>
> Mebbe I'll amp-probe some of my neighbors plumbing. :)
> --
> Mr. P.V.'d (formerly Droll Troll), Yonkers, NY
> Stop Corruption in Congress & Send the Ultimate Message:
> Absolutely Vote, for *Anyone BUT* a Democrat or a Republican
> Ending Corruption in Congress is the Single Best Way
> to Materially Improve Your Life
> entropic3.14decay at optonline2.718 dot net; remove pi and e to reply--ie,
> all d'numbuhs

Bonding straps are generally required across the water meter to prevent
potential for electrocution of the water guy if he removes the meter
while there is an electrical fault.

As for what current is acceptable, in my book it's essentially zero, or
at least very low milliamps. I'd carefully check all your neutral
connections in your panel and meter socket and anywhere else accessible.
Also check for current to your ground rod since you shouldn't be relying
on just a water line for a ground.

Pete C.

Posted by George on October 30, 2006, 11:41 am


Proctologically Violated©® wrote:
> Awl--
>
> How much is acceptable?

Nothing you can measure with an ampprobe.

> An amp-probe reveals between 2 and 6 amps, depending on how balanced the
> load is on each leg of the main panel.
> I'm hearing that the neutral from the panel is connected to a *steel* cable
> outside, while the hots are indeed connected to copper conductors. This
> would explain some current going through ground.
>

Actually its pretty unlikely a steel cable would have been used. Are you
sure it isn't bare *aluminum*?


> If the water main connection is broken, no noticeable effect in the
> house--or so it seems.
>
> Mebbe I'll amp-probe some of my neighbors plumbing. :)
> --
> Mr. P.V.'d (formerly Droll Troll), Yonkers, NY
> Stop Corruption in Congress & Send the Ultimate Message:
> Absolutely Vote, for *Anyone BUT* a Democrat or a Republican
> Ending Corruption in Congress is the Single Best Way
> to Materially Improve Your Life
> entropic3.14decay at optonline2.718 dot net; remove pi and e to reply--ie,
> all d'numbuhs
>
>

Posted by Doug Miller on October 30, 2006, 12:26 pm


>Awl--
>
>How much is acceptable?

None.

There's supposed to be a bonding jumper around it.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

Posted by Joseph Meehan on October 30, 2006, 12:32 pm


You have a problem there. You should have nothing moving through there.
You apparently have a problem with a open or very poor neutral, The only
flow of current should be through the neutral and the two power legs,
Current and any kind through the ground is a fault. That needs to be
addressed like yesterday,

I can't imagine anyone using steel. Aluminum maybe, but not steel

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math


> Awl--
>
> How much is acceptable?
> An amp-probe reveals between 2 and 6 amps, depending on how balanced the
> load is on each leg of the main panel.
> I'm hearing that the neutral from the panel is connected to a *steel*
> cable outside, while the hots are indeed connected to copper conductors.
> This would explain some current going through ground.
>
> If the water main connection is broken, no noticeable effect in the
> house--or so it seems.
>
> Mebbe I'll amp-probe some of my neighbors plumbing. :)
> --
> Mr. P.V.'d (formerly Droll Troll), Yonkers, NY
> Stop Corruption in Congress & Send the Ultimate Message:
> Absolutely Vote, for *Anyone BUT* a Democrat or a Republican
> Ending Corruption in Congress is the Single Best Way
> to Materially Improve Your Life
> entropic3.14decay at optonline2.718 dot net; remove pi and e to reply--ie,
> all d'numbuhs
>



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