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Grounding
P OST ED MA R 6 20 15 BY E DVA RD I N EN E R GY A ND P OW E R , PO W ER QUA LI TY W IT H 14 C OMM EN TS
Equipment
grounding conductor
Bond all metal enclosures, raceways, boxes, and equipment grounding conductors
into one electrically continuous system. Consider the installation of an equipment
grounding conductor of the wire type as a supplement to a conduit-only equipment
grounding conductor for especially sensitive equipment.
The minimum size the equipment grounding conductor for safety is provided in NEC
250.122, but a full-size grounding conductor is recommended for power quality
considerations.
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3. Branch-Circuit Grounding
Replace branch circuits that do not contain an equipment ground with branch circuits
with an equipment ground. SensitiveELECTRONIC equipment, such as computers
and computer-controlled equipment, require the reference to ground provided by an
equipment grounding conductor for proper operation and for protection from static
electricity and power surges.
4. Ground Resistance
Measure the resistance of the grounding electrode system to ground.
Take reasonable measures to ensure that the resistance to ground is 25 ohms or less
for typical loads. In many industrial cases, particularly whereELECTRONIC loads
are present, there are requirements which need values as low as 5 ohms or
less many times as low as 1 ohm.
Measuring earth
resistance with fall of potential method (photo credit: eblogbd.com)
For theseSPECIAL cases, establish a maintenance program for sensitive electronic
loads to measure ground resistance semi-annually, initially, using a ground
resistance meter. Ground resistance should be measured at least annually thereafter.
When conducting these measurements, appropriate safety precautions should be
takento reduce the risk of electrical shock.
Record the results for future reference.INVESTIGATE significant changes in ground
resistance measurements compared with historical data, and correct deficiencies with
the grounding system. Consult an electrical design professional for recommendations
to reduce ground resistance where required.
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5. Ground Rods
Earthing electrode
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6. Ground Ring
In some cases, it may be advisable to install a copper ground ring, supplemented by
drivenground rods, for new commercial and industrial construction in addition to
metal water piping, structural building steel, and concrete-encased electrodes, as
required by Code.
Grounding rings provide a convenient place to bond multiple electrodes of a
grounding system, such as multiple Ufer grounds, lightning down-conductors, multiple
vertical electrodes, etc.
Install ground rings completely around buildings and structures and below the frost
line in a trench offset a few feet from the footprint of the building or structure. Where
low, ground impedance is essential, supplement the ground ring with driven ground
rods in a triplex configuration at each corner of the building or structure, and at the
mid-point of each side.
Building lightning
protection system (photo credit: Schneider Electric)
A lightning protection system should only be connected to a high quality, low
impedance, and robust grounding electrode system.
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should only be connected to a high quality, low impedance, and robust grounding
electrode system.
Surge protection
device Single line diagram (credit: Schneider Electric)
Generally, a surge protection device should not be installed downstream from an
uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Consult manufacturers guidelines.