Am going to be wiring a detached garage, owner wants 1 20A circuit for a couple of keyless and 2 receptacles. I get a call from the cement contractor, he tells me that the building inspector won't let him pour the footings until a ground rod is driven and attached to the footing rebar. As far as I know if your only putting 1 branch circuit to the structure, there are no requirements for footing steel as part of the grounding electrode system. Am I wrong?
Footing rebar
- Thread starter nizak
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Cow
Senior Member
- Location
- Eastern Oregon
- Occupation
- Electrician
250.32(A)2 Exception spells it out pretty clearly.
That being said, there may be a local amendment for this requirement. On top of that, I have no idea why you'd need a driven rod in ADDITION to the ufer? That definitely doesn't make any sense...
So, do they want the GEC made up with the EGC's in the recep box....? We always use #4 to rods, so that could be a little awkward.
That being said, there may be a local amendment for this requirement. On top of that, I have no idea why you'd need a driven rod in ADDITION to the ufer? That definitely doesn't make any sense...
So, do they want the GEC made up with the EGC's in the recep box....? We always use #4 to rods, so that could be a little awkward.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
Building inspector may not be an electrical inspector but yet they depend on him to see that the CEE is properly made before pouring concrete. He may not have any clue that there are times when it may not be required to use a CEE. Either put it in (it still wouldn't have to be used) or have electrical inspector give approval that it is not needed.
Add: There is no requirement in NEC to have the ground rod along with with the CEE.
Add: There is no requirement in NEC to have the ground rod along with with the CEE.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
I know. I have seen people that think they have to drive a piece of rebar into the ground and tie it to the other rebar in the footing.
Grounding electrodes seem to be a little hard for some to grasp what they are, and what their purpose is. You kind of need to understand that first before you can understand what makes a good grounding electrode.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
This inspector is obviously confused. For one you do not need a GES with only one circuit, and secondly you don't need a rod and a CEE. Probably not an electrical inspector. I had a similar situation around here where the footing inspector wouldn't let them pour the footing without a GEC attached to the rebar. Rebar was only 3/8" which is not considered an electrode so it does not require a GEC connection. He made the concrete guy go to home depot and buy some bare copper and a lug then let him pour. :jawdrop:
PEDRO ESCOVILLA
Senior Member
- Location
- south texas
sounds like a few people need to educate the inspectors they are working with. there is nothing wrong with this. unless they can show you where the requirements come from. remember, we deal with MINIMUM code requirements. i have worked in the trades,and an inspector (and now an inspector) and an inspector that can't (or won't) take a little education, and be willing to always learn, either on their own or from the contractors he (or she) is working with is a "know it all" and not worth his salt (jmo)
jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
I agree with the others that it is not required here, but I would put it in for future use if I could.
One circuit for a 10x10 shed usually is sufficient, but for a garage the electrical needs tend to grow.
One circuit for a 10x10 shed usually is sufficient, but for a garage the electrical needs tend to grow.
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