Do concrete encased electrodes have to be in contact with the earth?

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iwire

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Massachusetts
Am I just needing a cup of coffee or did they eliminate the need for a concrete encased electrode to be in contact with the earth?

See 2011 250.52(A)(3(1).
 

jumper

Senior Member
Am I just needing a cup of coffee or did they eliminate the need for a concrete encased electrode to be in contact with the earth?

See 2011 250.52(A)(3(1).

I suggest Folgers.:) The requirement is under (2)

Metallic components shall be encased by at least
50 mm (2 in.) of concrete and shall be located horizontally
within that portion of a concrete foundation
or footing that is in direct contact with the earth or
within vertical foundations or structural components
or members that are in direct contact with the earth.
If multiple concrete-encased electrodes are present at
a building or structure, it shall be permissible to bond
only one into the grounding electrode system.
 

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
I suggest Folgers.:)

I have half a cup down now, my vision is clearing. :grin:


The requirement is under (2)

Last words of 250.52(A)(3) ..... of either (1) or (2).

Oh ....... OK section (2) stops at the first sentence and the paragraph that follows it is not part of (2).

Got it, thanks. :)

It seems that the last paragraph should not be indented to line up with the (1) and (2) paragraphs.
 

infinity

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Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
It seems that they made the requirement more clear by saying that the CEE can be either (1) or (2). Under the previous wording some would argue that you needed to attach the 20' of #4 to the rebar. They also added the direct contact verbiage to clear that up as well.

(3) Concrete-Encased Electrode. A concrete-encased
electrode shall consist of at least 6.0 m (20 ft) of either
(1) or (2):
(1) One or more bare or zinc galvanized or other electrically
conductive coated steel reinforcing bars or rods of
not less than 13 mm (1⁄2 in.) in diameter, installed in
one continuous 6.0 m (20 ft) length, or if in multiple
pieces connected together by the usual steel tie wires,
exothermic welding, welding, or other effective means
to create a 6.0 m (20 ft) or greater length; or
(2) Bare copper conductor not smaller than 4 AWG
Metallic components shall be encased by at least
50 mm (2 in.) of concrete and shall be located horizontally
within that portion of a concrete foundation
or footing that is in direct contact with the earth or
within vertical foundations or structural components
or members that are in direct contact with the earth.
If multiple concrete-encased electrodes are present at
a building or structure, it shall be permissible to bond
only one into the grounding electrode system.
Informational Note: Concrete installed with insulation, vapor
barriers, films or similar items separating the concrete
from the earth is not considered to be in ?direct contact?
with the earth.
 

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
It seems that they made the requirement more clear by saying that the CEE can be either (1) or (2). Under the previous wording some would argue that you needed to attach the 20' of #4 to the rebar. They also added the direct contact verbiage to clear that up as well.

I don't disagree with you at all.

I just think that the second paragraph under (2) should not be indented as I took it to be part of (2) at first.
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
I don't disagree with you at all.

I just think that the second paragraph under (2) should not be indented as I took it to be part of (2) at first.

Yes, I had to look at it three times but I agree. :)
 
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