Solving Instrumentation Ground Loop Problems

7/22/2017 Solving Instrumentation Ground Loop Problems
BASICS > BONDING & GROUNDING
Solving Instrumentation Ground Loop Problems
Unwanted ground loops can cause inaccurate sensor readings by

negatively a ecting instrumentation signals.Have you ever had problems
with process controls and electrical instrumentation? The source may be
ground loops. What's this? According to the ANSI/ IEEE Standard Dictionary
of Electrical and Electronics Terms, it's a "potentially detrimental loop
formed when two or more points in an electrical
Edited by John A. DeDad, Editorial Director | Nov 01, 1999

Nov 1, 1999 12:00 PM, Edited by John A. DeDad, Editorial Director
Unwanted ground loops can cause inaccurate sensor readings by negatively

affecting instrumentation signals.
Have you ever had problems with process controls and electrical instrumentation?
The source may be ground loops. What's this? According to the ANSI/ IEEE
Standard Dictionary of Electrical and Electronics Terms, it's a "potentially
http://www.ecmweb.com/bonding-amp-grounding/solving-instrumentation-ground-loop-problems 1/28
detrimental loop formed when two or more points in an electrical system normally
at ground potential are connected by a conducting path such that either or both
points are not at the same ground potential."
In layman's terms, a ground loop develops because each ground is tied to a

different earth potential. This condition allows current to flow between the grounds
by way of the process loop.
Basically, ground loops cause problems by adding or subtracting current or voltage

from the process signal. As a result, the receiving device can't differentiate between
the wanted and the unwanted signals. Therefore, it can't accurately reflect process
conditions. The probability of establishing multiple grounds and ground loops is
especially high when you install new programmable logic controllers (PLCs) or
distributed control systems. With so many connections referenced to ground
within a facility, the likelihood of establishing more than one point is great.
You may have to ground at more than one point. For some instruments
(such as thermocouples and some analyzers), it may not be possible to eliminate
ground loops. That's because these instruments require a ground to make accurate
rate measurements. Also, all analog control loops are grounded at one or more
points. And as we've seen, multiple grounds can result in a ground loop that can
upset the proper functioning of instruments. You also may have to ground
instruments to ensure personnel safety.
So if you can't eliminate the conditions for ground loops, what's your next step?
You can use signal isolators. These devices break the galvanic path (DC continuity)
between all grounds while allowing the analog signal to continue throughout the
loop. An isolator can also eliminate the electrical noise of AC continuity (common-
mode voltage).
Signal isolators use one of two techniques to do the job. One is analog signal
isolation, which uses an isolation transformer to chop, isolate, and reconstruct the
signal. The other is discrete signal generation, which chops, transmits optically,
signal. The other is discrete signal generation, which chops, transmits optically,
and reconstructs the signal. Signal isolators using the latter technique are referred
to as "opto-isolators." The choice between the two depends on
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requirements.
Regardless of the isolation method you choose, an isolator must provide input,
output, and power isolation. If you don't have this three-way isolation, then an
additional ground loop can develop between the isolator's power supply and the
process input and/or output signal.
Isolators, like most other transmitters, come in 2- and 4-wire versions. The 4-wire
type requires a separate power source and is partially suited for back-of-panel
mounting. You can power the 2-wire type from either the input or output loops.
The input loop type makes it possible to isolate a process signal when line power or
output loop power isn't available. The output loop type solves the problem of
interfacing non-isolated field signals with systems such as a computer, PLC, or
distributed control system, which provide loop-power to their output devices.
You can find a signal isolator to suit almost any application. Here are just a few.
Resistance input isolators for use as RTD, slidewire, strain, and potentiometer
transmitters.
Millivolt isolators for use as thermocouple and millivolt transmitters.
Current/voltage isolators for use as alarm tripping, deviation alarm notification,

and other special application transmitters.
So if an instrumentation system starts acting strangely or erratically, make sure

you eliminate all unintended ground connections.
Sidebar: Instrumentation grounding
Almost all equipment used in a control instrumentation strategy makes use of a

common signal ground as a reference for its analog signals. Introducing any
additional grounds into a control circuit will almost certainly cause ground loops to
occur.
To minimize the danger of introducing these loops into a complicated network, you
should use a dedicated instrumentation system ground bus and connect grounds
from the signal common, cabinet ground, and instrumentation AC power ground to
it. The bus is tied to earth via the building ground and plant ground grid.
But, this can be much more complicated than it appears. For example, you will
rarely have just one instrumentation loop. In fact, you could have hundreds or even
thousands.
Many are packaged together in vendor-supplied instrumentation system cabinets.

Generally, these contain a DC signal common bus and power supply common bus.
The manufacturer normally ties these busses together within the cabinets at a
master ground bus.
The cabinet ground is a safety ground that protects equipment and personnel from
accidental shock hazards. It also provides a direct drain line for any static charges
or electromagnetic interference (EMI) that may affect the cabinets. This cabinet
ground remains separate from the DC signal ground until it terminates at the
master ground bus.
The AC service ground is a single-point ground termination of the system AC

power. This ground connects to the neutral-to-ground bond at the main AC power
isolation transformer. It also terminates at a single point on the plant ground grid
(usually the grounding electrode).
Sidebar: How an instrumentation signal loop works
Suppose you have an instrumentation loop, as shown in the figure (in the original
article). As you can see, it's basically a DC system that operates at a specific voltage
(24V in our example) to a master ground reference called a signal ground. The
instrumentation signals vary within a range of 4mA to 20mA, depending on the
value of the variable (temperature, pressure, etc.) seen by the sensor.
Let's say a precisely calibrated circuit takes this mA signal and converts it into a 1V-
to-5V signal for a chart recorder. At 4mA, the voltage measured by the recorder is
1V (250 ohms2.004A). At 20mA, the measured voltage is 5V. Normally, the
recorder scale is calibrated so the voltage reads directly in DegrF, psi, etc.
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1 COMMENT Hide comments
Join the discussion...
Leonard E. Dinampo (not veri ed)

Jul 13, 2013
thanks, your very nice explanation about grounding, signaling... because some of electrical
engineers and instrumentation engineers debate the real practice of grounding both electrical
load and instrument load/power.
Reply | Edit post
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Chapter 2 of NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, provides
the requirements for practical safety-related maintenance of electrical equipment
and installations that fall under the Scope [90.2] of this standard [200.1]. The
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employee safety.
The first requirement is in Art. 205. Its also an OSHA requirement. Youll find an
OSHA-compliant definition in Art. 100. The requirement
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7/22/2017 Solving Instrumentation Ground Loop Problems

BASICS > BONDING & GROUNDING

Solving Instrumentation Ground Loop Problems

Unwanted ground loops can cause inaccurate sensor readings by

Edited by John A. DeDad, Editorial Director | Nov 01, 1999

Solving Instrumentation Ground Loop Problems

Unwanted ground loops can cause inaccurate sensor readings by negatively

In layman's terms, a ground loop develops because each ground is tied to a

Basically, ground loops cause problems by adding or subtracting current or voltage

Millivolt isolators for use as thermocouple and millivolt transmitters.

Current/voltage isolators for use as alarm tripping, deviation alarm notification,

So if an instrumentation system starts acting strangely or erratically, make sure

Sidebar: Instrumentation grounding

Almost all equipment used in a control instrumentation strategy makes use of a

Many are packaged together in vendor-supplied instrumentation system cabinets.

The AC service ground is a single-point ground termination of the system AC

Sidebar: How an instrumentation signal loop works

1 COMMENT Hide comments

Join the discussion...

Leonard E. Dinampo (not veri ed)

Methods of Equipment Grounding, Part 4 Multiwire Branch Circuit Rules on

Methods of Equipment Grounding, Part 3 Methods of Equipment Grounding, Part 2

NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE

Safety-Related Maintenance Practices

Mark Lamendola | Jul 21, 2017

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TAGS: SAFETY CONSTRUCTION

Conducting Industrial Electrical Safety Outlining the General Requirements of

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EC&M Gets a Fresh New Look

Michael Eby | Jul 21, 2017

Electrical (EC&M, Electrical Wholesaling, and Electrical Marketing)

Mechanical & Plumbing (HPAC Engineering, Contracting Business, Contractor,

Facilities (American School & University, School Designs)

Equipment Rental (RER)

$2.15 Billion and Counting Feeder Conductors vs Branch-Circuit

Photo courtesy of LIGHTFAIR International

LIGHTING & CONTROL > LIGHTFAIR SHOW COVERAGE

Lightfair 2017 Field Report

Deciphering color and connectivity in lighting

Joseph Knisley 1 | Jul 21, 2017

Luminaire design is evolving dramatically with the integration of technologies that

Related: 2017 LFI Innovation Award Winners

Product development news straight from the show oor

Many manufacturers at the show demonstrated their dynamic/tunable white

Hubbell Lighting displayed SpectraSync, available with a portfolio of commercial

Dynamic Spectrum, which enables independent control of light intensity,

Photo courtesy of LIGHTFAIR International

Since daylighting is now part of evolving energy codes requiring coordination of

Eaton showcased a set of connected lighting solutions for buildings, communities

Sylvania is focusing its product lineup on helping electrical contractors in their

A renewed focus on TLEDs

When used as a replacement in a recessed luminaire, TLEDs with their directional

Replacement Lamps (UL type A) operate through an existing fluorescent ballast

TAGS: LIGHTING & CONTROL

Sign Up for the ElectricalZone newsletter today!

Email address United States SIGN UP

Contact Us Privacy Policy

Advertise Terms of Service

Copyright 2017 Penton

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