ufer ground

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paul renshaw

paul renshaw

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Cordova, Maryland
In the 05 NEC, does it require you to install a concrete encased electrode whether it is the rebar or the bare copper in the footer for the electrode? If the rebar does not meet the criteria in 250.52 do you still have to install copper in the footer?
 
Re: ufer ground

No, you have to use one if it's present. If there is no rebar, you could do nothing.

If someone comes along and puts 20' of #4 CU into the footer, then suddenly the ufer would be present. You'd then be required to connect to it, provided the footer is in direct contact with the earth (in either scenario).
 
Re: ufer ground

I agree with George. No rebar, it's not required. The requirement is all electrodes that are available must be used.

I recently did a large addition where to inspector questioned the lack of CEE in the footing prior to the pour. He didn't look very closely at the prints or the footing because the footing contained only 3/8" rebar therefore a CEE was not required.
 
intresting analogy of the code, no rebar and no mysterious :? 20' of #4 copper in the concrete you do nothing . now if there is rebar, you can push 20' of #4 for an electrode.
was this the intent for the new code?
 
twistin214 said:
intresting analogy of the code, no rebar and no mysterious :? 20' of #4 copper in the concrete you do nothing . now if there is rebar, you can push 20' of #4 for an electrode.
was this the intent for the new code?
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Interesting question. I guess that the feeling is that most footings will have rebar 1/2" or larger.
 
Twistin, the options for the CCE have not changed. I believe having two options is so that if the rebar isn't present, then the installer has the option for another type of NEC-recognized CCE if they so desire. :)
 
my situation with my boss was that a commercial building had sparatic peices of 1/2" rebar dropped in concrete footer and i thought we should push ge in for cee and he said no because it wasn't a rebar grid. no one around here seems to use the cee. i guess i'm starting to get confused when or when not to. :roll:
 
It doesn't have to be an entire rebar grid. If the 1/2" rebar is 20' long or more, located near the bottom of the concrete footing that is in direct contact with the earth, and is encased by at least 2 in. of concrete, the code considers that an electrode and it must be used for the grounding electrode system.
 
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