Went to replace water heater for a friend as it had broken. To my surprise noticed that there was no earth wire available at all where the water heater was installed. It is an older condo. 

 

Wonder how safe it is not to have water heater with proper earth connection? Nearby has galvanized water pipes, was wondering if should connect the earth wire from heater to that? Or just ground to neutral? What is the safest solution in such situation where earth wire is not available? 

I am not an electrician. 

I would think it definitely requires an earth connection. 

(Better to get the water heater manual and have a look at the circuit).

You would have to check that the metal pipe is at earth potential and that would require an electrician with a Megga I think.

You could or should also install an  RCBO where the waterheater breaker is now.

I think you can't ground the neutral at the waterheater. 

I think you need an electrician. 

This ^^^

• Your heater definitely needs an earth even if there's an RCD/RCBO.
• It also needs an RCBO (it may well have one built in) for extra safety.
• The water pipe will likely be a good enough earth if there's an RCBO. But ensure it's not part of the fire prevention system, using the fire pipes is an absolute no-no.
• Do NOT "earth" by linking earth and neutral!!