Inside of a crawlspace underneath a modular home I inspected this rebar sticking out of the ground. It had a grounding conductor attached to it with a clamp. The electrical service panel was nearby at an exterior wall of the home.
Could this be part of an ufer rod connection to the footing of the foundation?
Is there any way that this grounding electrode configuration was installed according to modern building standards? Or does in need to be completely encased in concrete?
The poured concrete stem wall was not visible from anywhere inside of the crawlspace due to the spray foam insulation. However, some of the foundation was visible from the exterior of the home.
It’s hard to tell what it is from the photo but is does appear to be a stub up out of the footing for the connection of the bare GEC to the CEE which is permitted as long as it’s accessible. Was there the same bare conductor in the panel?
So I take it that the connection was not identified as an UFER?
I understood that that is a requirement.
What if you assume it is, and it turns out it is merely a length of rebar jammed into the ground?
Will your insurance cover that issue when it is discovered by an electrician while investigating a homeowners complaint?
Don’t make that assumption. If the rebar stubs out of the footing and the GEC is connected to it then it is required that the connection point be accessible. If the GEC connects to the rebar within the footing itself then that connection point does not have to be accessible for obvious reasons (it’s encased in concrete).
Would it be safer to say for possible ufer groundings such as this one that “The system and equipment grounding were not entirely visible and the inspector was unable to confirm its proper installation.”
What wording would you use to describe a ground rod electrode? Typically the only thing visible is the GEC going into the ground and not the actual rod(s) themselves. The same description could be applied to the CEE.
I agree with JJ; the only consideration here is that it is not labeled correctly or identified. Without this identification, you cannot verify proper installation. You could go on to say how important the grounding system is and recommend evaluation and corrections as needed by an electrician.
Usually I only mention the grounding rod electrode when it’s not flush with or below grade level. Another time when I mention it is when the connection to the grounding rod is not made with a proper listed connection and connector. Is the CEE required to be flush with or below grade level?
Is it supposed to be labeled? I never see grounding rods labeled.
My understanding, a concrete encased grounding or UFER should be labeled or identified. Without this identification, it puts you at a disadvantage as to what to report due to limitations.
The National Electrical Code (NEC) and Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) don’t explicitly mandate labeling UFER in every case.
The NEC (National Electrical Code) uses the term “concrete-encased electrode”
NEC 250.52(A)(3):
This section outlines the requirements for using a concrete-encased electrode as a grounding electrode. Grounding and Bonding — Part 3 of 3
The requirements for a concrete-encased electrode, commonly called a “Ufer Ground” are included in 250.52(A)(3). This is an electrode developed by using electrically conductive reinforcing bars or bare copper conductors not smaller than 4 AWG at least 20 ft in length. These rebar or this conductor must be encased by at least 2 in. of concrete and located inside the concrete footing or foundation that is in direct contact with the earth
I can’t find that standard on the NEC or InterNACHI. However, I’m open to reading it if it exists.
The standards also do not appear to require the CEE to be accessible.
You might be right. Here in my area, the CEE is always identified in the panel where it is located and the location is marked with an access plate or cover if needed. Maybe it is a local requirement or just a tradition to help the AHJ.
The CEE is not required to be accessible because it’s buried in concrete. If a stub out is left for the connection of the GEC then that connection point is required to be accessible. If the GEC connects to the rebar within the footing nothing requires accessibility.
