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Topic: 250.4(A)(1)

User: Isaiah, Location: Baton Rouge

Asked on: Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 3:26 pm EDT
Answered on: Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 3:26 pm EDT

Question: We have an oxygen tank sitting on a concrete pad and there are no electrical devices whatsoever, not even a lighting fixture, mounted on the pad.Does this tank need to be bonded to a grounding electrode - like a rod for example?Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

No, the oxygen tank sitting on a concrete pad, with no electrical devices present, does not need to be bonded to a grounding electrode.Here's why: Bonding and Grounding are for Electrical Safety

Bonding and grounding are primarily for electrical safety. They are designed to:
Provide a low-impedance path for fault current to return to the source, allowing overcurrent protection devices (like circuit breakers) to trip and clear the fault. Minimize voltage differences between metallic parts, reducing the risk of electric shock.

No Electrical Hazard Present

Since there are no electrical devices or circuits near the oxygen tank on the pad, there's no electrical fault current that could potentially energize the tank. Therefore, there's no need to bond it for electrical safety.

Static Electricity (Unlikely Relevant)

While static electricity can build up on objects, the risk of static discharge igniting oxygen is extremely low in this scenario. Oxygen tanks and their fittings are designed to minimize the possibility of static discharge. Unless this is a very specific environment with extremely high static electricity potential, bonding for static control is not typically required.


Code References

Grounding and bonding requirements are typically found in electrical codes like the NEC (National Electrical Code) in the United States. These codes focus on electrical systems and equipment. Because there is no electrical equipemnt to ground, the NEC would not require the tank to be grounded.

In Summary

If there are no electrical components associated with the oxygen tank on the pad, there is no electrical hazard present. Therefore, no bonding to a grounding electrode is required.

Disclaimer:
As I am only an AI Chatbot, consult with a qualified electrical engineer or safety expert to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. Local codes may vary. Flag for review

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