Good article for some that might not have seen it.
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A few years ago, I heard that they might remove Ufer grounding from the code, but so far that hasn’t happened.
One of the best Articles I’ve seen in a while because almost everything was 100% accurate. The one exception I would have is with the use of the words “primary electrode” for the CEE. That terminology does not exist in the NEC.
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That first picture really broke me up. The double tap on the second breaker lug is pretty obvious, but while nothing was called out (no caption) those are Federal Pacific breakers so they qualify for the trash heap in my book! No code needed just the common knowledge that those breakers are obsolete and may not trip when needed (they cheated on testing the breakers).
Not sure why they would remove the usage of the most effective grounding means.
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There have been problems with corrosion in rebar caused by stray currents into the grounding. The electrolytic induced-rusting rebar expands and breaks up the concrete foundation. I saw a presentation on this a few years ago, where the speaker said that the increasing use of Ufer grounding was making this issue more common. He said that the NEC was taking a hard look at this. Another problem is a lightning strike can super energize and heat the rebar causing the chemically bound water in concrete to release and go to steam and damage the surrounding concrete.
Maybe the NEC decided that the issues aren’t sufficiently common to stop using concrete encased grounding. Gotta say that when I’ve seen corroded rebar problems, there was not an Ufer. So, in my observations, I’ve never confirmed a problem with it.
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I am curious why they do not switch to a non-ferrous material.
Dunno, but guessing, costs…possibly costs…maybe costs.
Concrete encased electrodes have proven to be very effective in dry areas. And the cheap electrode that provides the desired reinforcing strength for the concrete foundations as currently designed is steel. What non-ferrous material(s) can match the structural strength of steel with currently used foundations and the electrical conductivity at the same or better costs?
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You cannot use aluminum in concrete, you could use stainless steel but that would cost a fortune compared to cheap regular rebar. Maybe you could just use the 20’ of #4 bare copper and avoid connecting to the rebar altogether.
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From the Article:
Working on your own electrical system is fine, but only licensed electricians can work on someone else’s.
I’ve had this belief for so many years that I can’t remember if I actually heard it, read it, or just dreamed it up in my head but I thought the whole thing about doing your own work vs. hiring was about making money from it (I’m sure this is where the unions would happily draw the line). Fwiw, there are LOTS of things like this… drones are one example. Fly the thing around all you want but once you make a penny from it you must be licensed. That might not be the best example and there are probably better ones but that’s just what came to mind.
Anyway, I get the safety aspects, etc. but when my drunk brother-in-law is trying to wire in his attic fan and I happen to be around I just don’t see how him doing so is more safe than me taking away his cut up orange extension cord and electrical tape and doing it right. I guess my point is, like so many things with the code, what is the intent and point? As much as I’d love to grab my own cold beer and sit down while watching said BIL butcher his electrical project I just don’t see how that is the best/safest course of action. After all, if/when his house burns down I’d have to have Easter at my place and that’s a whole other problem 
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I’m not sure it is part of the code as much as it is state licensing regulations. Certain trades require a license for very good reason. We don’t want your BIL watching a few YouTube videos and then presenting himself as an electrician to unsuspecting clients. On a related note, at least in my state, you are not allowed to perform electrical work on a commercial property without a license, even if you own the property.
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From an electrical inspector perspective…
In Maryland a homeowner may replace outlets, switches and luminaries but may NOT pull new circuits. An electrician is required to pull new circuits.
That’s interesting. Here in NJ a homeowner can pull electrical permits to work on his own home. He can even wire an entire new house with a homeowner permit.
We’ve actually seen some of the building regulations relaxed in the past decade. Permits are no longer required for things like a new roof, siding, windows where the existing header remains, AC system replacement, etc. Electrical services still require a permit but the homeowner can get his own and do the work.
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