There is no requirement in the NEC to provide a CEE, only to use it if it is there.3) Concrete-Encased Electrode An electrode encased by at least 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete, located within and near the bottom of a concrete foundation or footing that is in direct contact with the earth, consisting of at least 6.0 m (20 ft) of one or more bare or zinc galvanized or other electrically conductive coated steel reinforcing bars or rods of not less than 13 mm ( 1/ 2 in.) in diameter, or consisting of at least 6.0 m (20 ft) of bare copper conductor not smaller than 4 AWG. Reinforcing bars shall be permitted to be bonded together by the usual steel tie wires or other effective means.
It has to be in a concrete footing or foundation, not a sidewalk.My jurisdiction they install Ufer in sidewalk rebar so no vapor barrier is in place.
It doesn't matter what it is or what it is called...if the concrete does not have direct contact with the earth, it is not a CEE.But even in a foundation wall it is a vapor retarder not barrier.
A slab (floor) is not suitable for use as a CEE as it is not a foundation or footing.The concrete WILL have contact with the earth with vapor barrier. The contact will be on the sides of the slab (FLOOR) all around the perimiter of the slab. Dig down the side of the house an see if you find any vapor barrier.
don_resqcapt19 said:Cavie,
A slab (floor) is not suitable for use as a CEE as it is not a foundation or footing.
don_resqcapt19 said:John,
I will agree that under the code wording the side of the footing would count, but that does not meet the intent as talked about in the ROPs and ROCs. One of the reasons that the CEE works well is the contact pressure created by the weight of the building between the concrete and the earth. That does not happen when the contact area is the side of the footing in place of the bottom. I also think that the code should specify a minimum depth in the earth before the concrete can be used as an electrode.
Don
Don: I would expect to see some refinement of the CEE rules now that is being required.don_resqcapt19 said:John,
I also think that the code should specify a minimum depth in the earth before the concrete can be used as an electrode.
Don