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Wages - Grounding and Bonding

This document discusses grounding issues that can cause electrical ignition or shock. It explains that grounding provides a return path for electric current through connection to the earth. Improper grounding can allow stray currents to flow and create potential differences that lead to faults. The author notes that grounding is a complex but critical topic for electrical safety, governed by various industry codes and standards. Failure to properly ground electrical systems can allow faults to develop over time due to conditions like high impedance connections, and eventually result in ignition events that investigation may not be able to determine the exact cause of.

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Limuel Espiritu
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101 views20 pages

Wages - Grounding and Bonding

This document discusses grounding issues that can cause electrical ignition or shock. It explains that grounding provides a return path for electric current through connection to the earth. Improper grounding can allow stray currents to flow and create potential differences that lead to faults. The author notes that grounding is a complex but critical topic for electrical safety, governed by various industry codes and standards. Failure to properly ground electrical systems can allow faults to develop over time due to conditions like high impedance connections, and eventually result in ignition events that investigation may not be able to determine the exact cause of.

Uploaded by

Limuel Espiritu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Is Grounding the Culprit

Marcus O. Durham, PhD, PE


Robert A. Durham, PhD, PE

ThewayCorp.com
 What is the purpose of grounding? 11
1
 Can grounding issues cause ignition or shock?
 Where is a ground or return path used?
 What is the difference between ground,
bond, & neutral?
2 12

3
4
8 10
9

Why Ground ? M.O. Durham


Theway Corp. 5
6
Grounding
 Complex Topic
 Critical for electrical safety
 Biologic
 Property
 NEC - > 28 pages
 NESC – Specific Requirements
 IEEE – Multiple Standards
 NFPA – Myriad Publications
Significance
 Grounding is major element of every
electrical system, but rarely understood
 “Hot” cause shock or ignition only with
return path – complete circuit
 Either neutral (controlled) or ground
(uncontrolled) provides return
 Electrical activity on neutral or ground –
fault involving ground system
 Ground is code and legal issue
Grounding System
 Three components
 Grounding Electrode
 Contact point with earth
○ NEC <25Ω or additional electrode required
○ NESC - < 25Ω.
○ IEEE 142 - 25Ω not satisfactory – 1-5Ω
 Grounding Electrode Conductor
 Connects grounding electrode to system
 Must handle fault currents – NEC size
V 120V
Z   6
I 20 A
Grounding system I

 Bonding Vd

 Connects metal surfaces to grounding system


 Required between grounding electrodes
 NEC FPN –bond all metal even if not specified

 Without bond –
 Potential difference exists between metals
 Potential difference causes
current flow
Neutral
 Current carrying conductor
 Controlled return path for 1Φ & DC
 Single point connection to ground
 If multiple points –
 current flows through grounding system
 If poor connection –
Transformer Entrance Load
 circuit current can flow Power H Power H

through ground Neutral Neutral

Power H Ground

Ground

Water &
Utility Service Other
Ground Ground Metal
Stray Current
 Unintentional current flow through earth
 Three causes
 Neutral grounded at multiple points
 Fault of “hot” wire to ground
 Difference in potential of ground connections
 Multi grounded neutral allows ~60% return
current in earth
 Allows V between metals and
between metal and earth
Multi Point Neutral
 Portion of In flows through earth
 Disturbances cause I flow in alternate
routes
 Risk of shock or equipment damage

In
Transients
 Short duration disturbances
 Should be shunted to ground
 Causes
 Lightning
 Utility Operations
 Every On/Off of electrical circuit
Transients - Lightning
 Lightning is natural phenomena
 Uncontrolled – damage
 Can be controlled
 Industry standards and practices
 Controlled – no or limited damage
Energization Issues
 Three issues
 Energized Ground
 Floating Neutral
 Energized Neutral

 Energized Ground
 I from another circuit
 Caused by poor cnxns and poor ground Z
 Melted insulation on ground wire or jacket
Energization Issues
 Floating Neutral
 Poor N connection
 Allows return current on alternate path
 Uncontrolled V levels

 Energized Neutral
 I returns on gnd (water pipe, etc.)
 Melted neutral or ground insulation
 Uncontrolled I flow
Faults
 Three forms
 Loss of Insulation
 High Impedance Connection
 Breaking faults

 Loss of Insulation
 V breakdown of dielectric
 Heat, ejecta, loss of material
 Easily recognized
Faults
 High Z connection
 Most common fault
 Misaligned contacts
 Poor connections
 Partially damaged insulation
 Not recognized by standard breakers
 Heat exceeds ignition
Faults
 Breaking Faults
 Switching
 Pulling apart cable
 High frequency component
 Sudden increase in voltage
 Causes damage to insulation particularly at
high inductance points (bends)
Why Fail Now?
 A failure may not result in immediate
catastrophe
 Catastrophic failures are the result of multiple
improper conditions.

Seldom do systems have serious


consequences when only one
component is improper.
Grounding Purpose
 To ensure that all systems
(facility and service) are operating at the
same POTENTIAL reference
 To prevent circulating CURRENTS from
developing in ground system
 To allow building and service protection
systems to operate effectively
and as designed in TIME
Recap
 Improper grounding and bonding is
frequent problem
 Electrical ignition and shock that is
“undetermined” is often grounding
 Codes and standards are minimum
requirements. Not following creates
hazards
 Grounding issues are code, then legal
issues.
Questions?

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