Grounding Electrical Distribution Systems

The first concern and the most important reason for proper grounding techniques are to protect people from the effects of ground-faults and lightning. Creating an effective ground-fault current path to assure the operation of overcurrent protective devices on solidly grounded systems and to limit the voltage-rise on equipment frames during fault condition is of paramount importance.

The next concern is building and equipment protection. In this case, providing low impedance bonding and grounding paths between the system source, the electrical service and downstream equipment will serve to limit hazardous voltages due to faults and especially, lightning, A low resistance-to-ground system will serve to limit the voltage rise on systems and equipment.

But of equal importance is the length of the grounding electrode conductor. It is critical to limit the length of this conductor due to the increased impedance of lightning currents.

And finally, a properly installed grounding system will minimize the effects of electrical noise on sensitive circuits and stabilize the voltage-to-ground during normal operation.

This volume has extensive information on grounding electrical systems and equipment.

This information includes the following topics:



System Grounding
Equipment Grounding
Bonding
The Grounding Electrode System
Solidly Grounded Systems
Impedance Grounded Systems
Grounding Separately-Derived Systems
Calculating Ground-Fault Currents
Conductor Insulation Withstand Ratings
Conductor Fusing or Melting Currents
Functional Grounding
Lightning Protection

Readership: Anyone involved with designing a proper grounding system that will serve to protect people and equipment from the effects of ground faults and lightning. And to design a proper grounding system for special applications, including Solar and Wind Powered Systems.