UFER

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Yes. A CEE will have less resistance then a rod or even several rods in most cases. There is much more surface to soil contact is reason why.
 
Hendrix said:
Thanks, I thought that the utility always wanted gnd. rods regardless.
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Utilities are used to ground rods, wood poles- not too many choices for electrodes that are as cost effective as a rod.

Steel poles, concrete bases, etc. may have better natural electrodes then a rod - they may or may not add a rod anyway, it won't hurt anything but may be a waste of $$ for no more they they gain from it.
 
A ufer (after it was added to the NEC in the early 1970s) could always be used in place of ground rods. We got used to using ground rods to supplement metal UG water pipes, when water pipes went to plastic, ground rods were the electrode of choice. We use a Ufter now as its required.
In 20 years new electricians won't know what a ground rod is.
 
It is true that some utilities will want a ground rod even if there is a ufer. That simply is ridiculous, IMO. I have heard that will not hook up the power unless a rod is installed. If they had any inkling of what the ufer is they would not require a rod. Perhaps it is because they can't see the ufer-- heck a rod could be cut so I am not sure why they even get involved in the grounding electrode installation
 
UFER grounding are a hard sell even in industrial settings where the knowledge level should be somewhat higher and where no POCO is involved. Most will insist on a traditional grounding triangle, loop around the building, etc.
 
I have often wondered why utilities don't make their poles with a steel plate wrapped around the bottom connected to a steel rod that goes up the side of the pole in a precut channel. then they could just set the pole in the hole and connect the ground wire to the top of the steel rod and not have to run wire down the pole that gets stolen and damaged on a regular basis.
 
petersonra said:
I have often wondered why utilities don't make their poles with a steel plate wrapped around the bottom connected to a steel rod that goes up the side of the pole in a precut channel. then they could just set the pole in the hole and connect the ground wire to the top of the steel rod and not have to run wire down the pole that gets stolen and damaged on a regular basis.
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Trees don't grow that way:D
 
electricguy61 said:
I remember in the 70's for a temp power pole running a #6 solid copper from the meter base down to the bottom of the pole, making a little curly que of wire on the bottom, and calling that good for the grounding electrode. Used to pass too.:(
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I've seen new poles still on the trailer that are used by our local electric coop. The all have a pre-installed copper ground wire that terminates in a spiral on the bottom face of the pole just like you describe.
 
retirede said:
I've seen new poles still on the trailer that are used by our local electric coop. The all have a pre-installed copper ground wire that terminates in a spiral on the bottom face of the pole just like you describe.
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Looking on line it seems the rule of thumb for burial depth is 10% plus 2 feet. A 40 footer with 34 feet above and 6 feet below wouldn't meet the minimum depth, except that the NEC doesn't apply to POCO equipment.
 
retirede said:
I've seen new poles still on the trailer that are used by our local electric coop. The all have a pre-installed copper ground wire that terminates in a spiral on the bottom face of the pole just like you describe.
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POCO here has that coil at the bottom as well, but they do uncoil it and connect to a rod when they plant the pole.
 
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