Equipotential Grid

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utrailmark

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Does the grid comprising the equipotential grid, in this case #3 schedule 60 rebar need concrete cover or lay on the ground? when this rebar rusts, being bonded to the pool rebar it will in turn pass this potential and the pool rebar will rust. I can't find a code reference.
 
2005 NEC 680.26(C) and here is Washington State take on the issue.

NEC 680.26(C) describes the specific requirements for the equipotential bonding grid for pools with
paved walking areas (e.g. concrete, tiles, pavers, wood, etc.). The grid must extend from the inside walls
of the pool at least 3? under the walking area. Depending on the type of pool construction, you have three
options for constructing a grid under the walking area:
Structural reinforcing steel ? This option can only be used with a steel reinforced concrete pool.
Uninsulated steel structural reinforcing bars may be used to make a grid if they are bonded together with
steel tie wire or equivalent.
Bolted/welded metal pools ? The wall of a bolted or welded metal pool may be used as the grid.
Alternate means ? This option can be used when a deck media exists (e.g. concrete, pavers, wood deck,
etc.). The grid must be made of a minimum #8 solid copper conductor that is bonded at all crossing
points. The grid must cover the entire area from the contour of the pool and extending at least 3? under
the pool deck. The grid must be made in a 1? x 1? perpendicular pattern ? 4?. The grid must be secured
within or under the pool and deck media.
The 2005 NEC does not have specific grid installation methods for a pool with no paved walking area
(e.g. grass, gravel, etc.). The lack of description does not eliminate the requirement for a grid. For the
perimeter area around these pools, L&I inspectors will accept a single, minimum #8 solid copper,
conductor that is installed between 18? and 24? of the contour of the inside wall of the pool and is buried
under the perimeter surface at least 6? below grade. Only listed splices will be accepted.
All metal parts requiring bonding in NEC 680.26(B) must be bonded to the equipotential bonding grid.
The 2008 NEC modifies some of these requirements. They will be covered in a future newsletter

As my boss says "It is all black and white."

But IMO the exposed rebar is no good.
 
Equipotential Grid

The NEC 2005, 2008 editions do not offer any directions for steel reinforcing bars that comprise the equipotential grid in relation to earth seperation. The 2008 NEC states that these steel reinforcing bars if encapsulated are not required to be bonded. So when these rebars are placed on soil or earth they rust. This rust is an electrochemical reaction that travels down the rebar to other rebar connections. Since this is now in turn bonded with a minimum #8 copper conductor this potential is passed to the sturctural rebar of the pool. The gunite cracks from the expansion of the rusting rebar and the pool eventually falls apart. All because no minimum is given for protection of steel rebar in the equipotential grid. Sure it seems like a good idea to require coverage but we don't design we enforce the code. If the code is silent so is the requirement. It's a bad deal that needs a simple code fix in the text.:-?
 
MUrry said:
The NEC 2005, 2008 editions do not offer any directions for steel reinforcing bars that comprise the equipotential grid in relation to earth seperation. The 2008 NEC states that these steel reinforcing bars if encapsulated are not required to be bonded. So when these rebars are placed on soil or earth they rust. This rust is an electrochemical reaction that travels down the rebar to other rebar connections. Since this is now in turn bonded with a minimum #8 copper conductor this potential is passed to the sturctural rebar of the pool. The gunite cracks from the expansion of the rusting rebar and the pool eventually falls apart. All because no minimum is given for protection of steel rebar in the equipotential grid. Sure it seems like a good idea to require coverage but we don't design we enforce the code. If the code is silent so is the requirement. It's a bad deal that needs a simple code fix in the text.:-?
Click to expand...
I don't know if I buy the bit about rusting rebar putting a potential on the pool rebar. I do think it odd that you would consider constructing an equipotential grounding grid out of something that will rust away in a short time, leaving you with no grid. Why would you put steel rebar in the ground without it being in concrete?
 
brick at edge of pool

brick at edge of pool

saw a pool today a layer of brick around the pool wall " bull dog " then 3' gride
pool co. is trying to fall back on the idea that re bar under brick is a grid
 
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