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Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Question:
Hello,
Thanks for all the great information you are providing. My question is with a new single-family home footing that had a vertical ufer ground, which got cut off when the foundation was poured in it is allowable to lay a 20’ half-inch rebar parallel to the inside of the footing with a ground prior to pouring the basement floor. Some have required the concrete sub to break out a small amount of footing to re-establish the ground on the continuous bar inside the footing.
Your information is appreciated.
Ann Martin
A
Answer:
Hi Ann,
Thanks for the question. The concrete-encased electrode should be in the foundation or footing for the building or structure served and meet the applicable requirements in 250.52(A)(3). The alternate method you've mentioned does not fit the criteria addressed in this Code rule. Exposing the rebar where it got cut off is a solution so the grounding electrode conductor can be connected, but the exception to 250.50 clarifies that concrete-encased electrodes shall not be required to be part of the grounding electrode system where doing so would involve disturbing the footing or foundation concrete. In this case, installing other electrodes to form the grounding electrode system would be necessary. You mentioned that some have required the concrete contractor to expose the rebar so this connection can be made. We presume you mean (some inspectors). It is a good idea to include the inspector in this situation because they are the ones that will issue the approvals. Hope this is helpful.