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How are you guys grounding an electric still when there are only 2 wires on the heating element? I have a SS pot and would like to know the best way to ground it.

Needs to be grounded to the pot.

I'm installing a female plug, in a junction box, on my keg. That way, there are no supply wires hanging off of it. My ground wire will go from plug, to either junction box mount or keg skirt. If your element is being wired directly to a supply wire, the ground wire would be attached to the keg. Technically, there is no ground wire going to the element, itself.

EDIT: When I referred to no supply wires hanging off my keg, I meant when it is not in use. This will make it easier to move and store.

self tapping screw into the base ring of my keg.

I'd back it up with a jam nut.

FMH

1" wide earth strap and battery clamp attached to a steel pipe buried in the ground

I was trying to get Ideas how you attached ground cable to an 8 gallon SS Pot.

Use a crimp-on eye/lug and then bolt to your boiler.Soldering the lug after crimping would be a plus

FMH

Bill-a-newbie wrote:I was trying to get Ideas how you attached ground cable to an 8 gallon SS Pot.

I agree with FMH in using a crimp-on eye lug. You will have to drill a tiny hole to just get your bolt through, use a washer ether side, and screw the nut up tight. And use all SS parts

Also, if you have access to a multimeter, you should regularly do continuity checks between the earth contact on the power plug, and various points all over your pot/boiler. Also ensure that the other contacts on the plug are not shorted with the pot/boiler.

I have and NPT fitting and put a hose clamp around it and grounded it there

The KYChemist wrote:I'm installing a female plug, in a junction box, on my keg. That way, there are no supply wires hanging off of it. My ground wire will go from plug, to either junction box mount or keg skirt. If your element is being wired directly to a supply wire, the ground wire would be attached to the keg. Technically, there is no ground wire going to the element, itself.

EDIT: When I referred to no supply wires hanging off my keg, I meant when it is not in use. This will make it easier to move and store.

I would like to point out this is not safe. The load should always have a male plug. And the supply should have the female. So that the supply cord doesn't have exposed conductors. That could be a shock hazard.

On a stock pot. That doesn't have a place that you van drill to attach a ground wire. I would use a ground clamp around the element mount. That the element screws into. The next option is use the handle to ground to.

Unless you want to drill a hole in the pot. And use a copper sealing washer or PTFE washer on the inside. On a stainless steel bolt. And a jam nut with star washer on the outside. Then another star washer and nut to hold the ground terminal log on with. But this could be an ongoing leak point. I wouldn't do it.

Prairiepiss wrote: I would like to point out this is not safe. The load should always have a male plug. And the supply should have the female. So that the supply cord doesn't have exposed conductors. That could be a shock hazard.

I understand completely, what you are saying, and is why I will advise others not to do it my way. I had already considered this, and it is why the wall side of the plug will be the last thing plugged in, and the first thing unplugged.

I am using a ring terminal with my tri-clamp that is connecting the heating element to my pot.

That should work - yes?

This way when I take my element out to clean it, it will all be in one piece.

The KYChemist wrote:

Prairiepiss wrote: I would like to point out this is not safe. The load should always have a male plug. And the supply should have the female. So that the supply cord doesn't have exposed conductors. That could be a shock hazard.

I understand completely, what you are saying, and is why I will advise others not to do it my way. I had already considered this, and it is why the wall side of the plug will be the last thing plugged in, and the first thing unplugged.

Still not safe. If you get hit by a bus tomorrow no one will inherit your still? After fighting with the wife, and lacking a good night sleep, with your kids in trouble and your boss riding your ass, you wont be totally preoccupied one day and 'make a mistake'? As a rule I never build anything that has a clear opportunity for a serious incident if I have a dumbass attack. As another rule, I have dumbass attacks on occasion. And I dont know anybody who doesnt. Just because female receptacles are more readily available as panel mount doesnt mean go with the female. Males are available, I recommend finding one.

I would like to see some pictures of how you did it if possible.

Everyone's warnings have been noted, but will continue on this path, for the time being. We'll look into modifying, in the future. I'll try to get pics of our setup, for you Bill, in the near future. Don't have the keg near me, at the moment.

The KYChemist wrote:Everyone's warnings have been noted, but will continue on this path, for the time being. We'll look into modifying, in the future. I'll try to get pics of our setup, for you Bill, in the near future. Don't have the keg near me, at the moment.

I would say it would be better if you didn't post pics. Of an unsafe way of doing things. Unless your going to do a. How not to do it thread.

Okie-Doke... No pics then. And no feelings hurt...

I stubbed male plug directly to the element, third (ground) wire soldered directly to pot.
Of course I could have used female end on the pot, but I never liked the idea of a stinger cord.