WikiPedia says "The Ufer Ground is an electrical earth grounding method named after Herbert G. Ufer, who developed the technique during World War II in Arizona." More formally, this is known as a "Concrete-Encased Electrode."
Basically, if you have sufficient amount of sufficiently sized rebar, and its in the correct place within the concrete footing, it can be used as one of (or the only) grounding method for the building's electrical system. Actually, its a bit more than can - if it meets the requirements, it must be incorporated into the building's electrical system. So we have a bit more than 13 ft. of copper wire (I couldn't get it perfectly straight to measure) clamped to the rebar near where we plan the electrical service entrance.
Basically, if you have sufficient amount of sufficiently sized rebar, and its in the correct place within the concrete footing, it can be used as one of (or the only) grounding method for the building's electrical system. Actually, its a bit more than can - if it meets the requirements, it must be incorporated into the building's electrical system. So we have a bit more than 13 ft. of copper wire (I couldn't get it perfectly straight to measure) clamped to the rebar near where we plan the electrical service entrance.
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