Concrete Encased Electrode Connections

[augie47]

How are connections to concrete encase electrode being handled in your area ?

(In the past, the electricians here have been extending a section of footer rebar out of the footer to enable the connection. Often that extension was brought to the outside (in the earth) which was questioned but allowed in some areas as the inspector saw no specific Code violation. In some other areas the inspector required the extension to be a galvanized rod.;
The 17 Code appears to required that extension be brought to a point on the interior of the structure where it will not be subject to corrosion.)

 

[petersonra]

How are connections to concrete encase electrode being handled in your area ?

(In the past, the electricians here have been extending a section of footer rebar out of the footer to enable the connection. Often that extension was brought to the outside (in the earth) which was questioned but allowed in some areas as the inspector saw no specific Code violation. In some other areas the inspector required the extension to be a galvanized rod.;
The 17 Code appears to required that extension be brought to a point on the interior of the structure where it will not be subject to corrosion.)

where are you finding this in the code?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

We also install 20' of #4 in the footer and attach it to the rebar- I know that is more than is required). We leave 10-15 out of the ground but we wind it up and bury the wire so it doesn't get stolen.

 

[texie]

How are connections to concrete encase electrode being handled in your area ?

(In the past, the electricians here have been extending a section of footer rebar out of the footer to enable the connection. Often that extension was brought to the outside (in the earth) which was questioned but allowed in some areas as the inspector saw no specific Code violation. In some other areas the inspector required the extension to be a galvanized rod.;
The 17 Code appears to required that extension be brought to a point on the interior of the structure where it will not be subject to corrosion.)

AFAIK prior to the 2017 there was nothing to prohibit this. It has been addressed in the 2017 in 250.68(C)(3) which now requires any part of the extension to be protected against corrosion if in contact with soil. I've seen a number of jurisdictions where this was allowed as you describe.
That said, many jurisdictions have always required extensions to turn up in a wall cavity where the extension never touches soil. This then requires an access plate to comply with 250.68(A).
Then there are the camps that attach the GEC in the concrete to avoid the accessibility and corrosion issue. And yet others that don't use rebar at all and just put the conductor right in the pour.

 

[infinity]

Lately I've seen the concrete guys installing the clamp and a length of #4 hanging out of the forms to pass the form inspections. Solves the problem of no EC on the job.

 

[goldstar]

Lately I've seen the concrete guys installing the clamp and a length of #4 hanging out of the forms to pass the form inspections. Solves the problem of no EC on the job.

Some things to consider regarding the "length" of # 4 the concrete guys leave above the pour. Usually, if it's long enough and close enough to the water main ground wire you can just strip away some of the insulation on the water main ground wire and bug that CEE wire onto it. If the length of the CEE wire is not long enough to get to either water main ground wire or the MBP you'll have to high-press crimp another piece onto it to reach. Most EI's in my area will not allow you to bug a piece onto another to increase the length. Also, an approved rebar ground clamp should be used and gets buried in the pour.

 

[infinity]

If the length of the CEE wire is not long enough to get to either water main ground wire or the MBP you'll have to high-press crimp another piece onto it to reach. Most EI's in my area will not allow you to bug a piece onto another to increase the length. Also, an approved rebar ground clamp should be used and gets buried in the pour.

Yes, the GEC needs to be irreversibly spliced. That's what typically happens after thieves cut off the GEC at the footing. :roll: