I am replacing all copper pipe in my existing house with new PEX pipe with the exception of a few short pieces that connect to fixture on the floor above. After taking some time and checking all branches for fitting I'll need, etc, I found that my existing copper has a clamp like thing on it with 2 ground wires attached. Looks like 1 ground wire comes from outside and attaches to clamp and the other goes from clamp to the panel box. Then there is another ground that goes from outside, straight to the panel box. I believe this one was recently installed when my electric was transitioned from overhead to underground. Is it safe to remove the ground from my copper pipe and just leave it connected within clamp so its continuous from outside to the panel box? I do know when the underground service was installed, I was told that a 2nd ground rod was installed at that time. also, where the copper line originates inside my basement from the outside main line there is about a 6" section of pipe, then a water meter, and then I plan to start my pex pipe from there. There is currently a ground wire connecting the copper on both sides of the water meter. Is this safe to remove since I'm removing all copper on one side of the meter? thanks

Ok, I will try to make it somewhat quick on each question. To make a long story short I am looking at buying this old house and fixing it up, money will be limited because I only got half the money in the separation so I am doing as much as I can myself. I have done plenty of wiring and making it "work" isn't really my problem it's making it "correct" and also "legal". 1.) I assume these days AFCI EVERYWHERE aside from appliances? is lighting exempt? 2.) I can use a 12/3 multi wire branch to the kitchen receptacles, AFCI in panel and GFCI in kitchen. But will the cost of a 2 pole AFCI breaker cancel out savings of 12/3 over 2 runs of 12/2... 3.) separate 12/2 circuit for disposal, fridge, OTR micro and DW? no circuit protection required, right? 4.) same as 2 but for bedrooms. do I have to try and balance loads or anything? like could I have one leg to a 1kw 120V wall heater and the other leg to receptacles? 5.) does the multi wire branch always have to service the same room? with 2 bedrooms side by side I could run 3 MWBCs and have 6 breakers - room A heater, room A wall receptacles, room A receptacles on opposite wall, room B other side of that wall, then the last 2 for the heater and receptacles on the other wall in room B. 6.) assuming MWBC can service separate rooms, 14/3 is way more than enough to handle 2 ceiling fans and 2 closet lights, right? anything out there say hall lighting/laundry closet lighting cant all be on that circuit? obviously not if its going to real close or go over that 15A load if everything was to be on at once. 7.) thinking about an on demand water heater, the 2 I am looking at either require 3 or 4 2 pole 40A breakers and 8 awg. are you allowed to install an appliance rated at 160A into a 200A panel? I know it's below rating but it doesn't leave much for the rest of your house. I know if I add the breakers up in my house now it well exceeds 200 but there is no single device using such a large % of the limit like there would be with this 36kw tankless. pretty sure I got everything else, 10/3 to dryer and oven. staple within 8" of the box(in case I break the stupid clamp/tab) support every ~4 ft, run in between a couple fir strips on top of ceiling joist when perpendicular, staple to side for parallel. I think I got the distance from edge and the 40% hole size rule, etc... poco says there was a fire and thats why the meter and feeders were pulled. I saw no evidence of fire on either side of the wall though. but if I have to replace the panel I now have to follow all the rules and get an inspection because I cant even leave the panel where it is, as it is over the dryer so there's no clear 36" in front of it... sorry it was so long, thanks in advance. I am going to keep researching myself and if I find out difinitively one way or the other I may delete questions as I go but I need to get on this as soon as I close on this place as I would like to have power(heat) sooner than later.