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Hazardous Electrical Currents in Water Lines
Author(s) -
Lee Magone E.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
opflow
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1551-8701
pISSN - 0149-8029
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8701.1983.tb00102.x
Subject(s) - piping , electrical conductor , electrical equipment , line (geometry) , metre , hazardous waste , ground , electricity , electrical engineering , environmental science , marine engineering , engineering , mechanical engineering , waste management , physics , geometry , mathematics , astronomy
This article points out the likelihood of an electrical accident occurring in a water distribution system if the water piping system is conductive, if the water piping system is being used as a ground for electrical equipment or appliances, or if an “open” neutral exists in an electrical line. To avoid the possibility of electrical shock within the distribution system, the author presents a safety procedure recently adopted by the Mountain Water Company in Missoula, Montana. The procedure states that metal pipes must be electrically bonded (jumpered) before separating. This is imperative when working with either mains or service lines, as well as when setting or changing meters if a meter horn or bypass line is not in place.