Results 1 to 10 of 10
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    2,365

    Default Grounding System required to be visible?

    99% of the new houses I see have a bond to the garage rebar just below the panel and/or rod(s) outside. Today's house has a cement walkway poured up against the house (likely over any ground rod) and the normal location for the rebar bond is a coaxial cable jack.

    I took the plate off the cable jack and its one of those metal patches (like you use when someone puches a hole in the wall. I'm not sure if the rebar bond is in there or not.

    Anyway, are these connections required to be visible/accessible?

    Similar Threads:
    Crawl Space Creeper

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    2,365

    Default Re: Grounding System required to be visible?

    Oops... pictures

    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Tulsa, OK
    Posts
    544

    Default Re: Grounding System required to be visible?

    If it is a mechanical connection then it is required to be accessible unless --an encased or buried connection to a concrete-encased, driven or buried grounding electrode. The ground rod and connection would not be required to be accessible. If the rebar is stubbed up in the wall cavity and the connection is there it must remain accessible.

    "Get correct views of life, and learn to see the world in its true light. It will enable you to live pleasantly, to do good, and, when summoned away, to leave without regret. " Robert E. Lee

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    2,365

    Default Re: Grounding System required to be visible?

    I guess this leaves me confused on how to ask them to have access to something I'm not sure is present????

    I wrote it up as have an electrician verify proper grounding since I cannot see any....

    I strongly suspect someone patched over the rebar bond box and ran a coax cable through it.


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Tulsa, OK
    Posts
    544

    Default Re: Grounding System required to be visible?

    That is a tough one. And you don't know for sure that the connection is not covered with concrete, which would be OK. Maybe just a note that you were not able to inspect the CEE because it was not accessible??

    "Get correct views of life, and learn to see the world in its true light. It will enable you to live pleasantly, to do good, and, when summoned away, to leave without regret. " Robert E. Lee

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Grounding System required to be visible?

    Quote Originally Posted by Matt Fellman View Post
    I wrote it up as have an electrician verify proper grounding ...

    That's the way I always wrote it up to, except that I added "while on site making other corrections", which means "no one has to pay for a special trip to check it".

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    2,365

    Default Re: Grounding System required to be visible?

    Thanks guys.... just to brush up, what and how many grounding sources are required?

    When I was learning this business about 10 years ago I remember the guy training me said 2 or the following 3 were required:

    Ground by metal plumbing
    Ground by rebar to the foundation
    Ground by rod into the earth

    Since pretty much every house has plastic plumbing these days that one is out so it leaves the other two. As I posted initially, just about every house I see has the bond to the rebar beneath the panel. Am I to assume there is also a rod buried by gravel or cement also? Is what I was taught correct?


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Grounding System required to be visible?

    Quote Originally Posted by Matt Fellman View Post
    When I was learning this business about 10 years ago I remember the guy training me said 2 or the following 3 were required:

    Ground by metal plumbing
    Ground by rebar to the foundation
    Ground by rod into the earth

    All that are available.

    Which includes many more than state above 'if available'.

    Remember, though, that most water service lines today are plastic and cannot serve as a grounding electrode. Interior metal water piping is "bonded to" the ground system, but not 'used as' a ground.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,970

    Default Re: Grounding System required to be visible?

    If a CEE or Ufer ground method is used you do not need additional rods.

    When rods are used unless less than 25 ohms of resistance can be proved a second rod is required.


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Grounding System required to be visible?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Port View Post
    If a CEE or Ufer ground method is used you do not need additional rods.
    For true concrete encased electrodes that is correct, however, many of the installations do not meet the requirements set forth in the code, thus additional electrodes are required (typically driven rods).

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •