We are still learning about concrete encased electrodes in the Mid-West.
On metal frame buildings the #4 Cu or a piece of rebar is brought up and connected to the steel. Then they want to sheet rock the area for an office.
Does the connection to the steel have to be accessible ? Any suggestions ?
Alan--

Hey Alan, have you looked at 250.68 (A)? Maybe you could bond the steel at another location so that it would'nt be covered up behind the sheetrock?

In the past, we have placed two-gang tile rings in strategic places (similiar to telephone rough-in) to provide access to GEC connections to the GE on GWB (sheetrocked) walls. Finish work requires a two gang blank cover.

We do the same out here in California (Uferland) as Earlydean suggests.
In residential work, the electrode is normally brought up in an outside wall as close to the service location as is possible.
Mounting the ring facing out with a weatherproof plate rather than in through the drywall can save some headaches when nobody "wants that cover on my beautiful drywall" or goes and installs closed-back cabinetry in front of it.

[This message has been edited by electure (edited 12-10-2006).]

Ufer Florida style http://members.aol.com/gfretwell/ufer.jpg

Here in New Mexico we have to leave the connection available, I do so with a two gang p-ring and blank cover.

As of a couple months ago I also have to supplement the ufer with a rod, does that make any sense?

Highground, that would only "make sense" if the ground rod was allready there. Cause if it was allready there, then you would have to include it.

The only advantage I see to adding a rod is it gives the Telco and CableCo a place to bond their Dmark.

Thanks everyone.
250.68(A) is what brought this up.
The plaster rings seem to be the direction to go to.
As an aside, some electricians around here are driving the ground rods inside the basement because of the copper thieves.
Alan--

Alan
You must have a much harder working class of thieves there than I have ever met. The idea that such a low life would do the work needed to get the rod back out of the earth is one I had never considered. Or do they just steal the GEC and leave the rod alone.
--
Tom Horne

[This message has been edited by tdhorne (edited 12-12-2006).]

Never underestimate the stupidity of thieves. They will work harder to steal something than they would if they just had a job.

BTW I heard a disturbing story from Charlotte county. It seems thieves are hooking a chain up to the panel in the garage and driving away with all the wire that comes out when the panel comes out.
I suppose wire fished through steel studs in grommets and landed in plastic boxes actually comes out fairly cleanly.

Of course it trashes the house, bent studs, damaged plumbing etc.

They should hang these guys from the great room fan box with Romex when they catch them.
Leave them swinging for a few days as a lesson to other would be thieves.

tdh,
Just the GEC.
The glitter of copper is like gold to them. Leave the insulation on, bury it, or paint it.
The local prosecutor will charge you with a felony for shop lifting a candy bar but, has yet to slam a copper thief.
Nearby county now requires junk yards to get info and a picture of anyone selling copper.
Alan--

Depends on the size of the rod if it needs to be exposed? 250 says an 8' rod buried that means whole thing in the ground. That is what our inspectors here say and the clamp must be rated for direct burial or an exothermic weild.

Ob

That was my take on it, OB. I carried a big hammer for when they were still sticking up.