Another ground wire question....

[James Tibbetts]

My existing service is grounded to the cold water pipe,(35 feet away), that is 4 feet from the where a new sub panel will be mounted. Can I ground the new panel directly to the wire and cold water pipe used by the existing service, and not need to run back to the main box?

Jim

[David Castor]

No. For a sub-panel, the feeder must include a ground conductor running from the main panel to the sub-panel. At least if you are in the USA.

[James Tibbetts]

Thanks Dave. Not what I was hoping of course; but oh well...

[David Castor]

In addition to being a code requirement, it is really much safer to have the ground wire. This is one instance where the NEC and circuit theory are in total agreement. Nothing wrong with connecting to the water pipe, but it won't replace the ground wire.