Electrical – Copper Water Pipes used as Electrical Ground

electrical

I am replacing a section of copper water pipe that burst behind tiled shower wall. Since the pipe run is along an exterior wall subject to winter temperatures, I'm considering replacing this section with PEX given it is less prone to freezing. But in this house (built 1959) copper water pipes are used as electrical grounds in multiple above ground locations, i.e., where 2prong receptacles were replaced w/3prong receptacles w/the addition of a copper wire (green/insulated)-1 end wound under green ground screw on receptacle, other end bound by a grounding clamp to a nearby cold water pipe. Splicing in PEX will interrupt the "continuous ground". Is PEX therefore contraindicated or is there a way around this?

Best Answer

You'll want to consult a licensed electrician in your area, but you can probably simply bond a 12 or 14 gauge bare copper wire to the copper pipe on either side of the section you replace with PEX to maintain the preexisting continuous ground.

Pay more attention to the first part of this answer than the second part.