THe N.E.C. Requires metal water piping to be used as an electrode when available (250-25-a).It also states that it has to be suppimented(250-a-2).My question is with other electrodes in the system it doesn't state in which order these electrodes should be connected. In my jurisdiction we goto the metal water first. It was explained to me why but something just doesn't sit well. Does it have to go first? If so why, if not why. May I be so bold to ask for references and/or code articles.
Thanks

You are correct the metal underground water pipe used as a grounding electrode must be supplemented by an additional electrode.
250-50(a)(1)&(2)

It may be any electrode of a type specified in 250-50 or 52. There is no order of connection to any electrode in the grounding electrode system.

The unspliced GEC shall be permitted to run to any convenient grounding electrode available or to one or more grounding electrodes individually in the grounding electrode system. 250-50
250-50(a)(1)&(2)

If available, all electrodes in section 250-50
(a)through(d), and any made electrodes in section 250-52(c)&(d), shall be bonded together to form the grounding electrode system.

Hope this helps.
Mike

ok,
Now to whom I'm having this debate with is saying that if you goto something other than the metal water piping first the grounding electrode conductor must be run unslpiced through the connection to the metal water piping. I've explained to him that unspliced is refering to the points from electrode to electrode. I feel this is correct and agree with your and others interpetations.
Thanks again,
and back to my debate

Yes, again you are correct. The GEC must be run unspliced from the approved termination point of one electorde, to termination point on the next electrode, see 250-70.(if you are in fact running one GEC to bond all electrodes together).

Actually 250-70 in the last part of the first paragraph tells that only one GEC may be connected to a single clamp unless the clamp is listed for multiple conductors! So than if more that one GEC is to be connected to an electrode you need two clamps or one listed for multiple conductors!

As I said, and you well know, there is no order as to how the GEC's are to be run to each electrode, (you may take a GEC to each electrode individually). The main problem is that if you run from one electrode to another electrode, you must keep in mind that different size grounding electrode conductors are used for each different electrode, so the size of that grounding electrode conductor is important to make sure that that it may not be to small for the type electrode it is connected to.

Lots of luck with the debate, you got it right!
Mike

Hey Mike,
If the electrician runs from steel to rod to waterpiping the GEC has to be large enough for the largest required in the system. You couldn't run lets say #4 to steel and then 1/0 to water piping. lets say they goto the electric service meter for the connection of the GEC and its a 400 amp service.

Yes, you are correct they would have to install the GEC for the largest size required, if the GEC is in fact run from electrode to electrode and ends at the metal water pipe.

If he runs to each electrode separatly, and bonds them together at the service equipment, than each GEC may be sized according to the requirements for that specific electrode.

Mike

Thanks Mike,
I think this might satisfy the other inspector. I've got him swaying alittle now.I'll have to call you some day just to chat.
Thanks again. I wish more inspectors would use this sight