Robert107
Member
- Occupation
- Building Commission & Inspector
E3608.1 of the Indiana Residential Code states: All electrodes specified in Sections E3608.1.1, E3608.1.2, E3608.1.3, E3608.1.4 E3608.1.5 and E3608.1.6 that are present at each building or structure served shall be bonded together to form the grounding electrode system.
E3608.1.2 of the IRC states: A concrete-encased electrode consisting of not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) of either of the following shall be considered as a grounding electrode:
1. One or more bare or zinc-galvanized or other electrically conductive coated steel reinforcing bars or rods not less than 1/2 inch (13 mm) in diameter, installed in one continuous 20-foot (6096 mm) length, or if in multiple pieces connected together by the usual steel tie wires, exothermic welding, welding, or other effective means to create a 20-foot (6096 mm) or greater length.
2. A bare copper conductor not smaller than 4 AWG.
Metallic components shall be encased by at least 2 inches (51 mm) 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.
Where multiple concrete-encased electrodes are present at a building or structure, only one shall be required to be bonded into the grounding electrode system.
GROUNDING ELECTRODE is defined as a conducting object through which a direct connection to earth is established.
QUESTION #1:
By definition are all 1/2" or larger reinforcing steel bars concrete-encased electrodes? If so, then one 20-foot-long section must be bonded to the other components of the grounding electrode system. If not, then the reinforcing is not required to be bonded to the grounding electrode system.
QUESTION #2:
If the reinforcing steel is in the foundation (basement) wall, the interior is not in contact with the ground (obviously), and the exterior is separated from the ground by a plastic damp-proofing liner, is the concrete-encased electrode "in direct contact with the earth"?
E3608.1.2 of the IRC states: A concrete-encased electrode consisting of not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) of either of the following shall be considered as a grounding electrode:
1. One or more bare or zinc-galvanized or other electrically conductive coated steel reinforcing bars or rods not less than 1/2 inch (13 mm) in diameter, installed in one continuous 20-foot (6096 mm) length, or if in multiple pieces connected together by the usual steel tie wires, exothermic welding, welding, or other effective means to create a 20-foot (6096 mm) or greater length.
2. A bare copper conductor not smaller than 4 AWG.
Metallic components shall be encased by at least 2 inches (51 mm) 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.
Where multiple concrete-encased electrodes are present at a building or structure, only one shall be required to be bonded into the grounding electrode system.
GROUNDING ELECTRODE is defined as a conducting object through which a direct connection to earth is established.
QUESTION #1:
By definition are all 1/2" or larger reinforcing steel bars concrete-encased electrodes? If so, then one 20-foot-long section must be bonded to the other components of the grounding electrode system. If not, then the reinforcing is not required to be bonded to the grounding electrode system.
QUESTION #2:
If the reinforcing steel is in the foundation (basement) wall, the interior is not in contact with the ground (obviously), and the exterior is separated from the ground by a plastic damp-proofing liner, is the concrete-encased electrode "in direct contact with the earth"?
