Sparking Ground Wire


"My electrical panel in my house is grounded to my cold water inlet. I replaced the worn clamp to the pipe and noticed a small spark when I touch the ground wire to the pipe. What could be causing this. My understanding is that the ground should be dead and should have no current. Any suggestions?"
geoffmainprize6edb
I'm guessing here, but if your home has low humidity it could be static electricity.
Something is very wrong. Your electrical panel should be grounded to a ground rod somewhere. Depending on a cold water pipe for ground is not safe. I assume you have an older home. Current does flow to ground. Without ground you can not have a complete circuit.
Agree you have some kind of serious problem, within either the house wiring or something plugged into your load. Water pipes are a dangerous place from which to take a safety ground, although many older homes were done this way. Telco used to do that too but they know better now. A local lightning strike could light up someone washing their hands, in the shower, or doing dishes!
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