Concrete Encased Electrode

[quantum]

When using 20FT of bare CU in lieu of a rebar, what is the best practice for installation? Should it be laid flat on the ground, placed in a long straight line, coiled, kept near the center, etc.? I'm pouring through a lot of my handbooks looking for an installation example and coming up dry.

 

[Cow]

When I've done this, I've always laid it across concrete dobies.

 

[infinity]

I would try to follow the wording of the NEC, other than this there's isn't much more to it:

210.52(A)(3) Concrete-Encased Electrode. A concrete-encased elec-
trode 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 electri-
cally 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 struc-
tural 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.

 

[GoldDigger]

When using 20FT of bare CU in lieu of a rebar, what is the best practice for installation? Should it be laid flat on the ground, placed in a long straight line, coiled, kept near the center, etc.? I'm pouring through a lot of my handbooks looking for an installation example and coming up dry.

Flat on the ground at the bottom of the pour would not be "encased by at least 2" of concrete". Covered yes, encased no.