ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Footing grounds & Grd rods

Oh... and welcome aboard, Pat!

Rahway, NJ here.

If this is an addition, then you shouldn't be required to find a Ufer, IMO.

Shock has just given you the best reason why I like the Florida method.
It really takes a lot of work for some bozo to break a #5 rebar but a little piece of 4ga can easily get "lost".

I didn't realize how many NJ folks are out there. I am in Wall, NJ.

I read the link to the Ufer ground and hotwires comments. I am assuming I am not going to fail an inspection without the rod but I am also hearing it is wise to add the rod anyway as a saftey precaution.

It was interesting seeing the footings with the Ufer in Florida. Wow that soil is sandy and not very deep. I guess being up in the colder climate over the years it just becomes normal to see footings way down deep.

Thank you for all the suggestions.

Pat

Those are stem wall houses with a relatively deep footer. If you build on a slab it is only 8". We never see freeze heaving tho.
This place is just a big sand box, until you hit coral rock.

NJ Pat:
Please remember that in this instance, the NEC is "Minimum" required.

Yes, you can install the two rods if you want, yes, you could also install any additional supplemental ground electrodes that you choose.

And, no you should not fail inspection with ufer, & bonds as above.

PS, I live in Brick, and am AHJ in Edison.

John

Nov:
Welcome back, and congratulations on the baby.

Boy or girl??

Everyone healthy??

John

NJ Pat;

1st off, Welcome to ECN!

As already mentioned, you do not necessarily need to use driven rods for a Grounding Electrode System.
They are commonly used, but are one of many techniques.

For your situation, the Concrete Embedded Reinforcement Rods (Rebar) type of electrode is sufficient to Suppliment the Cold Water Line - if this is usable as part of the Grounding Electrode System.

"Ufer Grounds" may be either the Rebar in Foundations and Footings, or may be a Concrete Encased bare Wire, of at least 20 feet length, #4 size and 24" burial depth.

Any "Available" type of Electrode should be included in the Grounding Electrode System. This would include:

• Buried Metallic Water Piping,
• Structural Steel,
• Reinforcement Steel in Foundations and Footings,
• Buried Metallic Well Casings

If you drove ground rods, or installed some type of ground plate or ring, these items would need to be included with the Grounding Electrode System - to form a single system.

In other words, all items need to be bonded together by an appropriate means, to form a single Grounding Electrode System.

These separate items may be close to each other, at a great distance from each other, or a combination of both.

Please reply if more information is needed.

Scott35