TL;DR
A concrete-encased electrode, widely known as a Ufer ground, is at least 20 feet of half-inch rebar or bare 4 AWG copper embedded in the bottom of a footing or foundation in direct earth contact, used as part of a building's grounding electrode system. NEC 250.52(A)(3) recognizes it, and where one exists in new construction it must be connected, which is why a stubbed-up rebar tail or access point near the panel location is left before the pour.
What it means
A concrete-encased electrode, widely known as a Ufer ground, is at least 20 feet of half-inch rebar or bare 4 AWG copper embedded in the bottom of a footing or foundation in direct earth contact, used as part of a building's grounding electrode system. NEC 250.52(A)(3) recognizes it, and where one exists in new construction it must be connected, which is why a stubbed-up rebar tail or access point near the panel location is left before the pour. It generally outperforms driven ground rods because of the concrete's large earth contact.
Where it sits in the glossary
Concrete-encased electrode is part of the Trade jargon group inside the ProFix Directory glossary. Browse every term in this category from the glossary index.
Why Ohio homeowners should know it
This is a term Ohio homeowners encounter when reading contractor quotes, hiring paperwork, or inspection reports. Understanding it well enough to ask one good follow-up question is usually all the protection a homeowner needs.
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See also
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