What does Section 250.104 require regarding metal piping systems?

Section 250.104 of the National Electrical Code (NEC) focuses on the bonding of metal piping systems to ensure safety and minimize the risk of electrical shock or fire hazards. This section mandates that metal piping systems must be bonded to the grounding electrode system. The primary purpose of this requirement is to provide a low-resistance path for fault current, which helps to ensure that in the event of a fault, the overcurrent protective device will trip, thereby protecting both the equipment and individuals from potential electrical hazards.

Bonding the metal piping systems allows for the equalization of electrical potential, preventing differences in voltage that could lead to dangerous electrical shock situations. It also improves the grounding system's overall effectiveness by reducing inductive coupling between the grounded equipment and the metal piping. Therefore, compliance with this section is crucial for electrical safety and is a fundamental practice in grounding and bonding for installations involving metallic piping.