Grounding RING??

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rvim002

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I am designing a grounding system for an industrial site.

I have a room which I plan to have a grounding ring. Because I will be using BARE copper cable, should the ground grid still be a ring?? Can I just not surround three sides of the building with the ground wire and connect to the rebars? ( Because on the fourth side, there is an exisiting structure, and I just didnt want the hassle of digging into the existing structures).
 
This is from 250.52(A)(4) "A ground ring encircling the building or structure, in direct contact with the earth, consisting of at least 20' of bare copper conductor not smaller than 2 AWG."
Sounds like you'll be ok.
 
If you do not encircle the building its not a ground ring. Its a length of copper wire in the ground. As long as you have other grounding electrodes you will be compliant with the NEC.
 
tom baker said:
If you do not encircle the building its not a ground ring. Its a length of copper wire in the ground. As long as you have other grounding electrodes you will be compliant with the NEC.
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I agree with Tom, the requirement for a ground ring is that it must encircle the building or it does not qualify as an electrode.
 
I concur with Tom and Rob. To be compliant with NEC you will have to use a rod or two to comply. Silly I know, but that is the rule IMO.
 
rcarroll said:
This is from 250.52(A)(4) "A ground ring encircling the building or structure, in direct contact with the earth, consisting of at least 20' of bare copper conductor not smaller than 2 AWG."
Sounds like you'll be ok.
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RC the keyword here is ENCIRCLING
 
Second thought here I Re-read the OP. So I will throw this out for discussion.

If he ties it into the rebar, does that not constitute a UFER or concrete encased electrode therefor no need for a ground rod?
 
rvim002 said:
Can I just not surround three sides of the building with the ground wire and connect to the rebars? ( Because on the fourth side, there is an exisiting structure, and I just didnt want the hassle of digging into the existing structures).
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If you can land the two ends of the new three-side ring onto an existing ring, that should qualify. Is there one now?

I wouldn't do anything without proper engineering. I wouldn't want to make a mistake either way; too much ring or too little.
 
dereckbc said:
Second thought here I Re-read the OP. So I will throw this out for discussion.

If he ties it into the rebar, does that not constitute a UFER or concrete encased electrode therefor no need for a ground rod?
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I agree. It sounds like he can tie to the rebar of the building's foundation, and get himself an approved grounding electrode, so no need for a ground ring or ground rods. Of course the UFER must meet 250.52(A)(3).
 
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