Waterproof ufer connection?

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Fmkehoe said:
I’m not an inspector. Not an electrical inspector anyway. That’s why I’m asking. I’ll just wait for the inspector to come and tell me. I won’t have that section back-filled.
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What do you inspect? Just out of curiosity...
 
Fmkehoe said:
Over here, (NY), that’s how it’s done. In fact, I was going to just sink 2 ground bars into the earth but was told that with new construction you must do the CEE /Ufer way.
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I think your mistaken or mis informed. Nothing in code says you must use an ufer, it is just an option. As already stated the connection point of the GEC to the electrodes has to be accessible. The concrete that ufer must be encase in itself shall not be insulated or or waterproof membrane applied. Most times around here this precludes the use of an ufer. Better read up on 250
 
Fred B said:
I think your mistaken or mis informed. Nothing in code says you must use an ufer, it is just an option. As already stated the connection point of the GEC to the electrodes has to be accessible. The concrete that ufer must be encase in itself shall not be insulated or or waterproof membrane applied. Most times around here this precludes the use of an ufer. Better read up on 250
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A CEE must be used if the rebar in the footing qualifies as an electrode. That would be any rebar that is in a footing in contact with the earth and has rebar 1/2" or larger and 20' or longer. If the rebar in the footing does not qualify as an electrode or there isn't any then as you've said it's optional.
 
Fred B said:
I think your mistaken or mis informed. Nothing in code says you must use an ufer, it is just an option. As already stated the connection point of the GEC to the electrodes has to be accessible. The concrete that ufer must be encase in itself shall not be insulated or or waterproof membrane applied. Most times around here this precludes the use of an ufer. Better read up on 250
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250.50 All grounding electrodes as described...shall be bonded together... Exception: CEE's of existing buildings...

If you have an existing foundation then code does not require the CEE. New construction will require it in most circumstances.
infinity said:
A CEE must be used if the rebar in the footing qualifies as an electrode. That would be any rebar that is in a footing in contact with the earth and has rebar 1/2" or larger and 20' or longer. If the rebar in the footing does not qualify as an electrode or there isn't any then as you've said it's optional.
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Infinity is spot on, in my opinion.
 
And, often frustratingly, qualifying rebar must be used as a CEE even if concrete was poured over it before you could connect.

P.S. But if you have multiple potential CEEs, I believe you only need to connect to one of them.
 
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Fmkehoe said:
Since my Ufer connection is going to be under earth, should I waterproof (tar, silicone, etc.) the acorn nut connection ?
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Looking at NEC 2020, 250.52(3)(2) ...

The CEE can be 20ft minimum of 4 AWG bare copper. Then you don't have to have any connection to the rebar
 
WSG said:
Looking at NEC 2020, 250.52(3)(2) ...

The CEE can be 20ft minimum of 4 AWG bare copper. Then you don't have to have any connection to the rebar
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That is correct, you can use either the rebar or 20' of bare #4 or large copper wire. They are not required to be connected together.
 
Way I’ve been doing these lately, I buy 30’ of #4, tie it to the bar in the footing so it stays in place, and bring it up the wall zip-tied to the 2” PVC. 👍
 
Fmkehoe said:
Since my Ufer connection is going to be under earth, should I waterproof (tar, silicone, etc.) the acorn nut connection ?
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Read 250.68(C)(3)b. on page 124 of the 2020 NEC as the rebar extension can not be exposed to contact with the earth. (unless corrosion protection is provided)...

Why? The rebar is steel and it will corrode away in time.
 
common for some the concrete guys around here, when there is a basement or other slab involved anyway, to bend a piece of rebar to stick out the footing and into where slab will be poured in the future at a point near where electrical service is to be located.

Then the electrician don't have to be there to attach to it at the time footing is poured but can come sometime before slab is poured to attach a conductor to it, and the attachment still ends up in concrete. Or it can be stubbed above the slab for later attachment, but must remain accessible in that case.
 
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