How to Ground an Outlet on a Cold Water Pipe

Since the early 1960s, residential electrical systems have included a third ground wire. This is the green or bare conductor in the wire. Its purpose is to provide a layer of safety to the electrical system. If electricity gets somewhere it shouldn't, the ground connection provides a safe path back to the earth, reducing the chances of electrical shock. Ground wires are commonly connected to the copper water main with a copper ground clamp where it enters the home.

Non-contact voltage detector
14-gauge green insulated wire
Wire strippers
Wire cutters
Screwdriver
Copper ground clamp

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the power for the circuit you are working on at the home's distribution panel. Confirm the power is off by touching a non-contact voltage detector to the wire's insulation.
- 2
  Remove the screw that secures the cover on the electrical outlet and set the cover aside. Remove the two screws that secure the outlet to the electrical box. Pull the outlet out of the box.
- 3
  Loosen the ground terminal on the outlet with a screwdriver. Strip 3/8 inches of insulation off the 14-gauge green wire. Wrap the wire around the ground terminal and tighten it down.
- 4
  Run the ground wire to the metal cold water pipe. This is ideally where the pipe enters the building, because it is impossible to confirm that the pipe is metal for the entire run. The ground wire needs to be run inside the wall system to protect it from mechanical damage.
- 5
  Wrap the ground clamp around the water pipe and secure it by tightening the two screws. Loosen the ground terminal with a screwdriver.
- 6
  Cut the 14-gauge wire to length and strip 3/8 inches of insulation off the end of the wire. Insert the wire in the ground clamp's terminal and tighten it down.

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