Ufer question

[OneOfEm]

I'm already going to be putting 5/8" "continuous" rebar 3" from the bottom of a footer around my to-be-poured slab.

Can I bend a piece up so that it ends above the slab at the proper location then use that for the attachment point for a Ufer ground (maybe paint the bend green to make it obvious to the inspector)?

Here's the related section of the FL code:

E3608.1.2 Concrete-encased electrode.
A concrete-encased electrode consisting of at least 20 feet (6096 mm) of either of the following shall be considered as a grounding electrode:

1. One or more bare or zinc galvanized or other electrically conductive coated steel reinforcing bars or rods not less than 1/2 inch (13 mm) in diameter, installed in one continuous 20-foot (6096 mm) length, or if in multiple pieces connected together by the usual steel tie wires, exothermic welding, welding, or other effective means to create a 20-foot (6096 mm) or greater length.

 

[NotOrganized]

When my floor was poured, they took an L shaped 10ft piece of rebar and wired it to the floor rebar grid and up a leg on my building. Electrician said it was common practice and felt it was a better ground than a copper rod. It essentially was connected to all of the 16" grid of rebar in my 30x50 floor.

 

[larry_g]

I know for me here in Oregon the Electrical inspector had to inspect and mark the rod before covering.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Falcon67]

Check local - here in the larger town they require both the 20' copper AND the 20' UFER rod.

 

[rlitman]

Check local - here in the larger town they require both the 20' copper AND the 20' UFER rod.

Grounding requirements vary by location, because ground conditions vary.
By me, with wet sandy soil, it is easy to get a good ground. In many places, that's not the case.

 

[prostreetamx]

In Las Vegas the rebar must be slightly longer than 20' since some it will be bent up and stick out of the slab. They don't count the upward bend and want the 20' length at he bottom of the footing but not touching earth. We used to use #4 bare solid copper but it got stolen or cut off fairly regularly.

 

[csp]

Can I bend a piece up so that it ends above the slab at the proper location then use that for the attachment point for a Ufer ground (maybe paint the bend green to make it obvious to the inspector)?

Yes you can. The attachment point is supposed to be accessible as it's a clamp that has the potential to loosen over time.