[grandmeme]

Just replaced 2 yr old heater (warranty applied).. its a bradford white. Plumber gone by now and wanted to ask about grounding for heater... info on how to would be helpful

[hkstroud]

Assuming an electric water heater. The water heater should be wired with a 10/2 with ground cable. In the circuit breaker panel the black and white should be wired to a 30 amp double breaker and the ground wire should be wired to the neutral/ground buss bar.

At the heater the black and white should be connected to the two water heater leads. The ground should be under the green ground screw, attaching it to the frame of the heater.

What's your question.

[ballengerb1]

So this is electric, right? What causes you to think it isn't grounded, its working correctly, right?

[massplumber2008]

As mentioned by Hkstroud, a water heater can be grounded via a 10/2 romex cable with ground. Here, the wire acts as the ground back to the ground bar at the electric panel.

An electric water heater can also be grounded via an EMT (electrical metal tubing) or a BX cable... see images. Here, the metal tubing acts as the ground as long as it is continuous back to the electrical panel... no ground wire involved.

As Ballenger and Harold asked, exactly what is your concern?

Let us know more, OK?

Mark

[grandmeme]

Follow up on grounding water heater. Was told that unless properly grounded anode rod would rust quickly. Heater was 2 yrs old and rust a problem within a yr. emptying the tank did no good. I have to rely on the plumbers who give advice and ea. said to be sure and check 'grounding'... I watched him re-attach electricl and it looks like 10/2 romex. From one who knows -0- of electrical, I want to be sure I don't lose this tank too

[massplumber2008]

What color is the wire? If orange, then that should be 10/2 with ground. If you look extremely close at the wire, it should also say what it is. Check the wire and get back to us...

[hkstroud]

Right next to the place where where the wire goes into the water heater there should be a cover plate, held in place with one screw. Remove that plate and you should see a bare wire connected to the frame with a green screws. Printed or embossed on the cable you should see "10-2/ ground", or "10-2/with ground".

Should not be necessary to turn of breaker, all except ground wire is insulated and quite safe.

Please also note that if you have copper pipe the heater will be grounded through the piping.

[ballengerb1]

"was told that unless properly grounded anode rod would rust" you were told wrong. The anode is a sacrificial anode made to be dissolved, it can not rust , its aluminium or magnesium.

[grandmeme]

THANK YOU all so much... son due by today and will have him double check both wiring and your comments.