Why is a bonding wire installed around a water meter linking the inlet and outlet copper pipes?

Why is a bonding wire installed around a water meter linking the inlet and outlet copper pipes?

• A. To bond the inlet to the outlet copper water pipes around the water meter
• B. To measure water flow
• C. To isolate the meter from the plumbing
• D. To ground the water service to the earth

Answer: (A)

Electrical bonding of metal plumbing is about keeping a continuous conductive path for safety grounds. A water meter can interrupt the metal path between the inlet and outlet pipes, especially if the meter body is non-conductive or has insulating components. Installing a bonding jumper around the meter ties the two copper sections together, so the entire water service remains at the same electrical potential. This helps prevent dangerous voltage differences along the piping and ensures the building’s grounding system can reliably use the pipe as a grounding conductor. It isn’t for measuring flow, it isn’t about isolating the meter, and while it relates to grounding, its primary purpose is maintaining continuity around the meter.

Electrical bonding of metal plumbing is about keeping a continuous conductive path for safety grounds. A water meter can interrupt the metal path between the inlet and outlet pipes, especially if the meter body is non-conductive or has insulating components. Installing a bonding jumper around the meter ties the two copper sections together, so the entire water service remains at the same electrical potential. This helps prevent dangerous voltage differences along the piping and ensures the building’s grounding system can reliably use the pipe as a grounding conductor. It isn’t for measuring flow, it isn’t about isolating the meter, and while it relates to grounding, its primary purpose is maintaining continuity around the meter.