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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
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 Can grounding issues cause ignition or shock?
 Where is a ground or return path used?
 What is the difference between ground,
bond, & neutral?
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Why Ground ? M.O. Durham


Theway Corp. 5
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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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