Ground Rod Test Well? All Answers

What is the purpose of a ground rod?

The sole purpose of a grounding rod, or group of grounding rods forming a grounding field, is to have a specific electrical path to shunt static discharge voltage (which may be lightning or other forms of static electricity) to earth. The electrical ground rod is usually considered zero volts. From this point, all other voltage measurements can be made with ground referenced to zero volts.

If you place a current probe around the conductor leading to earth or the earth rod itself, you should never see current flow on the conductor. If current flows on the conductor leading to earth, there is an earth fault. Another term that could be used is leakage current. In both cases, there is a parallel path back to the voltage source through the ground, which forms the loop for current flow on the ground conductor.

Always remember that current always returns to its voltage source.

AC current seeks a path to the AC source, DC current seeks a path to the DC source, and static discharge (lightning) seeks a path back to its source, which is usually ground. If no return path is provided or there are multiple return paths, the current will find its own way back to its voltage source.

When electricity seeks and finds its own way back to its voltage source, it normally flows through devices. If the voltage flowing through this device is higher than its operating threshold, the device will fail and an outage of some kind will occur.

Poor grounding contributes to unnecessary downtime, but poor grounding is dangerous and increases the risk of equipment failure.

Without an effective grounding system, you could be at risk of electrocution, not to mention instrumentation errors, harmonic distortion problems, power factor issues, and a host of possible intermittent dilemmas. If fault currents do not have a path to earth through a properly designed and maintained earthing system, they will find unintended paths that can trap people. These organizations provide recommendations and/or develop standards for grounding to ensure safety.

OSHA (Occupational Safety Health Administration) »

NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) »

ANSI/ISA (American National Standards Institute and Instrument Society of America) »

TIA (Telecommunication Industry Association) »

IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) »

CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) »

IEEE (Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers) »

Good grounding is more than a safety measure—it also prevents damage to industrial equipment and equipment. A good grounding system improves equipment reliability and reduces the likelihood of damage from lightning or fault currents. Billions of dollars are lost in the workplace to electrical fires each year. This does not take into account the associated process costs and loss of personal and corporate productivity.

Why test floor systems?

Over time, corrosive soils with high moisture, high salinity, and high temperatures can degrade ground rods and their connections. Despite low earth resistance values ​​when first installed, these values ​​can increase as the earth rods are eaten away.

Ground testers like the Fluke 1623-2 GEO Earth Ground Resistance Meter and Fluke 1625-2 GEO Earth Ground Tester are essential troubleshooting tools to help you maintain uptime. For frustrating, intermittent electrical problems, the problem could be related to poor grounding or poor power quality.

All grounds and ground connections must be checked at least annually as part of your normal proactive maintenance schedule. During these scheduled checks, a resistance increase of 20% should be examined. Once the problem is identified, replacing or adding ground rods to the grounding system should correct it.

What is a floor and what does it do?

The NEC, National Electrical Code, Article 100 defines a ground as: “connected (connected) to earth or to a conductive body which extends the ground connection.” When it comes to grounding, there are two separate issues.

Grounding: The intended connection from a circuit conductor, usually the neutral conductor, to a grounding electrode placed in the earth. Equipment Grounding: Ensures that operating equipment is properly grounded within a structure.

These two grounding systems must be kept separate except for a connection between the two systems. This prevents voltage potential differences caused by a possible flashover caused by lightning strikes. The purpose of grounding, in addition to protecting people, property, and equipment, is to provide a safe path for the dissipation of fault currents, lightning strikes, static discharge, EMI and RFI signals, and interference.

What is a good soil resistance value?

There is a lot of confusion about what constitutes a good ground and what the ground resistance value should be. Ideally, a ground should have zero ohms resistance.

There is no standard ground resistance threshold recognized by all authorities. However, the NFPA and IEEE have recommended a ground resistance value of 5.0 ohms or less.

Per NEC, ensure the system impedance to ground is less than 25 ohms per NEC 250.56. In facilities with sensitive equipment, it should be 5.0 ohms or less.

The telecom industry has often used 5.0 ohms or less as the ground and bond rating. The aim of earth resistance is to achieve the lowest possible earth resistance value that makes economic and physical sense.

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This article was co-authored by Ricardo Mitchell. Ricardo Mitchell is the CEO of CN Coterie, a fully licensed and insured EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) certified construction company based in Manhattan, New York. CN Coterie specializes in full home renovation, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, furniture restoration, OATH/ECB (Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings/Environmental Control Board) breach remediation and DOB (Department of Buildings) breach remediation ). Ricardo has over 10 years of electrical and construction experience and his partners have over 30 years of relevant experience. This article has been viewed 299,809 times.

Article overview

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Before installing ground stakes, call your local excavation hotline so they can dispatch someone to locate any wires or pipes that are in the way of where you plan to place your ground stake. If you are certain there are no pipes or wires in the area, purchase an approved grounding rod kit. Then dig a hole 2-4 feet deep where you want to insert the pole. Drive the rod into the ground with a hammer, drill, or driving tool until fully seated. Once you’ve plugged in the pole, you’ll need to connect it to the building’s electrical system. If you are unsure how to do this, consider hiring an electrician who will surely be able to help you complete the process. To learn how to choose a good location for your grounding rod, read on!

NAPIT’s Don Holmes has other important advice for electricians.

The installation of grounding electrodes is becoming an increasingly important part of electrical installation. Examples of such installations are where the Electrical Safety and Continuity Regulations (ESQCR) prohibit the connection of a PME earthing device to metalwork of the installation. Typical installations to which this requirement may apply are:

– Remote buildings.

– Construction and demolition sites.

– Agricultural and horticultural sites.

– Caravan/Camping sites.

– marinas,

– Exhibitions, venues and stands.

-Charging stations for electric vehicles.

Onshore electrical shore connection units for barges.

Temporary electrical installations for buildings, amusement facilities and stands at fairs, amusement parks and circuses.

Another example where an earth electrode is required is when an electrical installation is part of a TT system.

Considering the importance of grounding electrodes, this article looks at some common types of grounding electrodes and their installation methods. The requirements of BS 7671 relating to earthing electrodes can be found in Regulation Group 542.2.

Types of grounding electrodes

Regulation 542.2.2 lists the types of earthing electrodes recognized by BS 7671. These include ground rods, ground straps or wires, and ground plates.

earth rods

Earth rods are available in solid copper, stainless steel or copper bonded steel. The most popular choice is the copper bonded steel core bar due to its combination of strength, corrosion resistance and lower cost.

Ground rods are available in various lengths and diameters. Typical sizes are 9.5 x 1200mm (fixed) and 12.7 x 1200mm (extendable) with earth stake coupler and ram head as shown in fig 1.

Earth rods are generally used where low earth leakage currents are expected in electrical installations, such as when the electrical installation is protected with an RCD or circuits with RCBOs.

ground straps or wires

Ground straps or wires are usually bare copper. The usual size of copper strips is 25mm wide x 3mm thick as shown in fig.2. The minimum diameter for a stranded conductor is 3 mm.

Ground straps or wires are generally used in areas where the ground is rocky and it is difficult to install a ground stake.

earth plates

Grounding plates are usually made of cast iron or copper and are square in shape with a surface area of ​​around 1m2 to 2m2 as shown in fig 3. Grounding plates are generally used where high ground fault currents are expected, for example where a property owner needs to provide their own grounding system that requires a low resistance.

Ground electrode resistance

In most cases, the installation depth of the electrode has the greatest influence on the value of the earth resistance. Doubling the depth can often reduce the reading by up to 40%. Multiple ground rods can be used to achieve lower resistance and as a rule of thumb the rods should be spaced at least equal to the depth of insertion.

Another factor is soil resistivity, which is measured in ohmmeters (Ωm). Soil resistivity depends on soil composition, moisture content and temperature. The ideal place to install a ground electrode is wet, swampy ground (Table 1).

Ground electrode resistance range

The total resistance of an earth electrode consists of three main components:

The resistance of the electrode itself, which depends on its material and the connections to it. Contact resistance between the electrode and the soil in which it is installed. resistance of the surrounding soil.

electrode resistance

The electrode resistance varies slightly depending on the type of material used. Problems can arise with contact resistance between connections, especially when improper connections are made and corrosion occurs.

contact resistance

Contact resistance is often considered one of the main factors contributing to high earth resistance values, but if the electrode is free of paint and grease and the earth is tightly packed around the electrode, this value is negligible.

ground resistance

Where the earth has a uniform resistivity, an electrode will radiate current in all directions under installation fault conditions. This stream has to traverse concentric layers of the surrounding soil. Because soil is a relatively poor conductor of electricity, and because the cross-sectional areas of the layers of soil closest to the electrode are small, a graded resistance results, concentrated mainly in the region of soil adjacent the electrode, as shown in Fig. 4.

Since the resistance is greatest immediately around the ground electrode, most of the voltage is dropped across this layer under fault conditions. About 80% to 90% of the fault voltage appearing at the electrode falls within the first 2.5 m. This is known as the surface tension gradient and is shown in Figure 5.

inspection pit

Earth electrodes must be properly installed below ground level and installed in an inspection pit to ensure the electrode termination is accessible for inspection and testing in accordance with the requirements of BS 7671 (Fig. 6).

earth rod clamps

When connecting a ground conductor to a ground electrode, the ground conductor must be insulated where it enters the ground to avoid a potentially dangerous surface voltage gradient under fault conditions.

The connection of the grounding conductor to the grounding electrode must be made with commercially available grounding clamps and must be adequately protected against corrosion by the application of grease or paint. Remember to affix the “Safety Electrical Connection – Do Not Remove” label in accordance with regulation 514.13.1 of BS 7671.

Conclusion

It is important that grounding electrodes are installed correctly and that the area where the electrode is to be installed is thoroughly inspected to avoid damage to other equipment during the installation of the electrode.

For more detailed information refer to BS 7430:2011+A1:2015, Code of Practice for Protective Earthing of Electrical Installations.

For more technical articles click here.

The importance of private well water testing

Why should I test my well water?

Regularly testing the water quality of your private well is an important part of maintaining a safe and reliable source. The test results allow you to properly address the specific problems of a water supply. This helps ensure that the water source is properly protected from potential contamination and that appropriate treatment is selected and functioning properly.

It is important to test the suitability of your water quality for its intended use, be it cattle watering, chemical spraying or drinking water. This will help you make informed decisions about your water and how it is used.

Regular testing is important for:

identify existing problems

Make sure the water is suitable for the intended use, especially if it will be drunk by humans and animals

Track changes over time

determine the effectiveness of a treatment system

The quality of a water source can also change suddenly over time. Changes can go unnoticed as the water may look, smell and taste the same.

Is my water drinkable?

The only way to know if your drinking water is safe is to have it tested by a certified laboratory. Harmful bacteria, parasites and viruses are invisible to the naked eye, so water that looks and tastes good isn’t necessarily drinkable. These microbes can be found in surface and groundwater supplies and can cause immediate human disease if not properly managed.

Certain chemical contaminants sometimes found in a water source can cause long-term health problems that take years to develop. Frequent water testing identifies unsafe water and ensures the treatment system is treating the water to a satisfactory level.

What tests should I have done?

Useful tests are available to determine the health and safety of a water supply and the performance of a water treatment system. Your local health department can help you select tests that are important to assessing your drinking water.

Basic Water Potability Includes tests for coliform bacteria, nitrates, pH, sodium, chloride, fluoride, sulfate, iron, manganese, total dissolved solids and hardness.

E. coli Indicates the presence of microorganisms in the water that are potentially harmful to health.

Nitrate A common contaminant found primarily in groundwater. High levels of nitrate can be particularly dangerous for babies under the age of six months, as nitrate impairs the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.

Ions Ions such as sodium, chloride, sulfate, iron, and manganese can impart an unpleasant taste or odor to water.

Sulfate Excessive amounts of sulfate may have a laxative effect or cause gastrointestinal irritation.

Fluoride Fluoride is an essential micronutrient, but excessive amounts can cause dental problems.

Total Dissolved Solids Represents the amount of inorganic substances (e.g. sodium, chloride, sulfate) dissolved in the water. High total dissolved solids (TDS) can reduce the palatability of water.

Additional Tests Other tests may be appropriate if a specific contaminant is suspected in the water. For example, groundwater sources are sometimes tested for arsenic, selenium, and uranium. Both surface and groundwater sources can also be tested for pesticide contamination.

How often should I test my well water?

Private well water should be tested at least once a year. Drinking water supplies from shallow wells and surface water sources should be tested more frequently (i.e. seasonally) as they are more susceptible to contamination.

It is important to test your drinking water at the tap and at the source. By testing both, you can determine if your treatment system is working properly and if the quality of your source water has changed.

Where can I have my well water tested?

Contact your local or state health and welfare department. They can refer you to a certified laboratory in your area. In addition, many communities offer free demonstrations called “Test Your Well” events. Start in your community.

Proper grounding of an electric fence is essential to keep the fence in good condition. When a fence isn’t working properly, it can be difficult to contain cattle or other livestock; It will also be difficult to keep predators away. An improperly grounded fence is unlikely to shock an animal if the animal bumps into any part of the fence.

How does an electric fence work?

The ground circuit is a very important part of an electric fence; The ground circuit essentially keeps the fence working properly. The fence charger, sometimes also called electric fence device, changes the electrical charge present in the fence. This change in electrical charge makes it safe for both animals and humans to be near the electric fence. Significant amounts of rain or snow can affect the functionality of the fence.

In a well-functioning fence, an animal will feel a small electric current as the charge passes through the animal’s body. The charge continues through the ground and to the ground rod. It then goes up the ground wire and migrates to the ground terminal of the charger. If the fence is not working properly, the animal will not feel shock.

There are a number of things that can be done to ensure electric fences work properly. Remember that 9 out of 10 problems with an electric fence are due to problems with improper grounding. In most of these cases, grounding will be affected by either very dry or very wet weather. For this reason, it is very important to check the earthing system and the voltage of the electric fence in both extremely wet and extremely dry weather. This will ensure that the system is properly grounded despite the appearance of earth around the fence. To properly test the voltage of the fence, use a voltmeter designed for electric fences.

Wire/tape/braid type

It is also very important to use the right type of wire when making the fence (check out our wires, tapes and strands here). For best results (if using solid wire) use 10 – ga. up to 14ga. insulated wire rated for 20,000 volts. Never use household cords or industrial cords as they are only rated for 400 volts. This is not enough to properly support the electric fence.

Proper grounding rod

Use the correct type of grounding rod. In most cases, pipes or rebars can be used. The grounding rod must be galvanized steel and at least 4 feet long for best results. The use of copper bars reduces the overall effectiveness of the electric fence system.

In some cases it may be necessary to add multiple ground rods to the grounding system. In fact, most electric fence systems require at least three earth rods. These poles should be spaced about 10 feet apart and placed at the beginning of the fence.

Ground poles can actually interfere with telephone service and electrical wiring that may be on the property. Because of this, it is important to place ground rods as far away from utility lines as possible. This is especially true when it comes to phone lines!

length of the ground rod

The ground rod that connects the home grounding system to earth is a long metal rod, usually copper, bonded to steel, galvanized iron, or stainless steel.

Ground rods come in 8 foot and 10 foot lengths, with 8 foot being the most common size for residential installations. Ground stakes must generally be at least 2.40 m long and must not be shortened. In very dry soil, which is more resistive than moist soil (which means it doesn’t accept electricity as easily), earth stakes are sometimes stacked and connected with a special clamp to allow them to reach deeper into the earth.

Another option is to add a second grounding rod. This is usually a better option, but the bars must be at least six feet apart, according to the NEC.

Note: Most local jurisdictions and local electric utilities require the 2-mass stick method to pass inspection. Some counties also allow or require a foundation or foundation ground connection for new construction.

Whenever possible, ground stakes should be driven into moist soil around your home. Normally, the area near the foundation has enough moisture due to runoff water from downspouts.

It is unwise and unsafe to install the shorter 4 foot grounding rods that are often sold for grounding things like TV antennas and other stand alone equipment. These are not legal for home power grounding and can cause your grounding system to fail when it is most needed.

If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times. The only legal grounding rod must be installed at least 8 feet into the ground. The length of stick and tubular electrodes is specified in the National Electric Code (NEC) 2017 at 250.52(A)(5). See Figures 1 and 2 for section requirements.

But what if I told you that that statement isn’t entirely true? What if there were one or maybe two instances where a 5 foot grounding rod would be acceptable? Finding this elusive information requires traveling to the final chapters of the NEC. To understand why there is this difference in length, you need to know the story.

Article 250 of the NEC – The 8ft ground rod

Article 250 contains general requirements for the earthing and connection of electrical installations. Sections 250.52(A)(1) through (A)(7) direct users that all grounding electrodes present in each serviced building or structure must be connected together to form the grounding electrode system. If none of these grounding electrodes are present, one or more of the grounding electrodes specified in 250.52(A)(4) through (A)(8) must be installed and used (see Figure 3).

See 250.52 for grounding electrodes. In this section, different types of grounding electrodes are explained in detail. This article describes the one at 250.52(A)(5). See language below and Figure 4.

(5) Stick and tube electrodes. Stick and tube electrodes must be no less than 2.44 m (8 ft) in length and must be made of the following materials.

(a) Pipe or conduit grounding electrodes shall not be smaller than metric designation 21 (3∕4 trade size) and, if made of steel, shall have the external surfaces galvanized or otherwise metal coated to prevent corrosion.

(b) Stainless steel and copper or galvanized steel grounding electrodes shall be at least 15.87 mm (5∕8 in.) in diameter unless listed. (2017 NEC)

More specific information about installing ground stakes, such as B. Installation and minimum resistance, see Sections 250.53(G) and 250.53(A)(2). See Figures 5, 6 and 7 for more information.

A Journey to Chapter 8 of the NEC – In Search of the 5ft Ground Stick

Now here is the information you’ve all been waiting for. Where can I find this “members only, top secret” information on where to install a 5ft grounding rod? I’m tired of driving 8 foot ground rods into the ground. This information could save me years, not to mention money. Could it be that simple? Is there a place I can install shorter earth rods for my electrical installation?

The answer is “yes, no and not so fast”. It is necessary to have a thorough understanding of the NEC to understand where these 5ft grounding rods are permitted and under what particular circumstances.

Article 800 is entitled “Communication Lines”. The purpose of this article is to cover various communication circuits and devices. Section 800.2 defines a communications line as the line carrying voice, audio, video, data, interactive services, telegraph (other than radio), outside wiring for fire alarm and intruder alarm from the communications service to the customer’s communications equipment, up to and including terminal devices such as a telephone, facsimile machine, or answering machine. This article is not subject to the requirements of Chapters 1 through 7 of the NEC, except where the requirements are specifically referenced in Chapter 8 (see Figure 8).

The NEC consists of different parts; Next we need to look at Part IV entitled Grounding Methods. Section 800.100 addresses the bonding and grounding of cables and primary protection devices. It states that the primary protection and the metallic element(s) of the cable jacket must be bonded or grounded as specified in 800.100(A) through 800.100(D).

If you are looking for grounding electrode requirements, see 800.100(B). This section states that the bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor must be terminated in accordance with 800.100(B)(1), 800.100(B)(2), or 800.100(B)(3). Let’s look at the information contained in 800.100(B)(3).

(3) In buildings or structures without system interconnect termination or grounding facility. If the building or structure served does not have a system-to-system connection termination or grounding means as described in 800.100(B)(2), the grounding electrode conductor shall be connected to one of the following:

(1) To one of the individual ground electrodes described in 250.52(A)(1), (A)(2), (A)(3), or (A)(4).

(2) If the building or structure served does not have a system-to-system connection termination or grounding means as described in 800.100(B)(2) or (B)(3)(1) to any of the individual grounding electrodes described in 250.52( A)(7) and (A)(8) or to a grounding rod or pipe at least 1.5 m (5 ft) long and 12.7 mm (1∕2 in.) diameter, driven in, where practicable, in permanently moist soil and separated from 800.53 lightning protection system conductors and at least 1.8 m (6 ft) from electrodes of other systems. Steam, hot water pipes or conductors of lightning protection systems must not be used as electrodes for protective devices and grounded metallic parts. (2017 NEC)

wow did you see it One of the locations specifies the use and installation of a 5ft grounding rod. But have you also seen the peculiarities of this language? Firstly, this is only permissible if the building or structure does not have a system connection termination or earthing facility. In this case, the use of a 5-foot grounding rod is acceptable.

The ground rod or tube:

shall not be less than 1.5 m (5 ft) in length and 12.7 mm (1/2 in.) in diameter; driven into permanently moist soil if possible; and separated from 800.53 lightning protection system conductors and at least 1.8 m (6 ft) from electrodes of other systems.

The closest use of a 5-foot grounding rod is found in Article 830, which covers network powered broadband communications systems. These systems provide any combination of voice, audio, video, data, and interactive services through a network interface unit (NIU).

A typical basic system configuration includes a cable that delivers power and a broadband signal to a network interface unit that converts the broadband signal into the component signals. Typical cables are coaxial cable with both broadband signal and power on the center conductor, composite metal cable with coaxial element(s) or twisted pair elements for the broadband signal and twisted pair elements for power, and fiber optic composite cable with a pair of conductors for power. Larger systems may also contain network components such as amplifiers that require network power.

Item 830 contains various parts. See Part IV of Article 830 for grounding methods. The language here states that network interface units must be connected to protective devices, NIUs with metallic enclosures, primary protective devices, and the metallic elements of the line-powered broadband communications cable that are to be bonded or grounded as specified in 830.100(A) 830.100(D).

Also see 830.100(B) for lead information. Let’s look at the language at 830.100(B)(3)(2).

(3) In buildings or structures without system interconnect termination or grounding facility.

If the building or structure served does not have a system equalization termination or grounding facility as described in 830.100(B)(2), the grounding electrode conductor must be connected to one of the following locations:

(1) To one of the individual ground electrodes described in 250.52(A)(1), (A)(2), (A)(3), or (A)(4).

(2) If the building or structure served does not have a system-to-system connection termination or grounding means as described in 830.100(B)(2) or (B)(3)(1) to any of the individual grounding electrodes described in 250.52( A)(7) and (A)(8) or driven to a grounding rod or pipe at least 1.5 m (5 ft) long and 12.7 mm (1∕2 in.) diameter where workable, in permanently moist soil and separated from 800.53 lightning rods and at least 1.8 m (6 ft) from electrodes of other systems. Do not use steam, hot water lines, or conductors from lightning protection systems as grounding electrodes for protective devices, NIUs with integral protection, grounded metal parts, metal-cased NIUs, and other equipment. (2017 NEC)

Wow, did you see it again? This is the second place that specifies the use and installation of a 5ft grounding rod. But have you also seen the peculiarities of this language? Firstly, this is only permissible if the building or structure does not have a system connection termination or earthing facility. In this case, the use of a 5-foot grounding rod is acceptable. The ground rod or tube:

1. not be less than 1.5 m (5 ft) in length and 12.7 mm (1∕2 in.) in diameter;

2. as far as possible driven into permanently moist soil; and

3. Separate from 800.53 lightning protection system conductors and at least 1.8 m (6 ft) from electrodes of other systems.

Figure 9 attempts to illustrate the requirements in Article 250 and the requirements in Article 800 and Article 830 in relation to the use of an 8ft or a 5ft earthing rod.

The History of the 5 Foot Grounding Rod

Rumor has it that the length of the 5-foot grounding rod only exists because that was the length of the space in the back bend of Bell telephone service vehicles. However, is that quite correct? Research provided to me by Mr. William McCoy of Telco Sales, Inc., representing the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), indicates that there has been scientific research into the use of these bars. Investigations revealed that the widespread use of a 5 foot rod for the short circuit relay protection devices had been used and was considered satisfactory under normal ground conditions (see Figure 10).

In researching the history of the NEC, I also found that the first 8 foot length reported for a ground rod is found in the 1940’s NEC. In the 1937 NEC, language for acceptable grounding electrodes existed at 2571 for water mains and 2572 for artificial soils. The text here refers to an artificial soil as a soil whose electrode consists of a driven tube, rod, buried plate or other device approved for this purpose. No further information was given to the user of the code as to the required length of this rod (see Figure 11).

In the 1940 NEC, the installation requirements for artificial electrodes were set at 2583. One of the stipulations is that the pole must be driven to a depth of at least 8 feet, regardless of the size or number of electrodes used. See Figure 12 for more details.

For you younger code users out there below is a photo of the 1937 NEC and the 1940 NEC previously owned by Mr. Cecil T. Jones. It is interesting to note that the 1937 issue included additions from electrical giants such as Cutler-Hammer, Inc., Square D Company, Trumbull Electric Manufacturing Company, and Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company.

I am grateful to Mr. Jones and Mr. Philip H. Cox, a former CEO of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI), for passing this story on to me for use in my career. Through the actions of these two gentlemen, information like the story found above can be researched and made available to a new generation of electrical professionals. If we don’t know, honor and value our electrical history and the work of other pioneers who have gone before us, we are dishonoring the electrical industry (see Figure 13).

Finally

During the initial design phase for the NEC 2020, I submitted public submissions asking the Code Making Panel (CMP) responsible for Chapter 8 of the NEC to provide consistency by removing the 5-foot rod length and replacing the 8-foot length was replaced in the above two sections. I was a little shocked that in both cases the CMP-16 resolved or denied my request.

The 8-foot requirement is not specific to Article 250; There are two places in Chapter 8 that allow a shorter rod length, but for very specific installations. Members of CMP-16 have reached out to me and provided guidance and history for this reduced length. Thank you to individuals like Tom Moore, William McCoy, and Jeff Sargent for the tidbits of information that contributed to the creation of this article.

I hope that if you’ve ever had the same concerns, this article has given some insight into answering why there are different lengths. That reminds me of a proverb that is often thrown around in the electrical trade. “If you don’t like the answer in the NEC, take a closer look. There will definitely be an exception somewhere that will allow you to do that.”

A ground test is usually performed on electrical cords to ensure they can withstand a current overload. Grounding ensures that electricity doesn’t build up and cause damage to cords, outlets, and devices that use electricity. It shunts excess electricity away from the device or system and into the ground. Circuit and clamp resistance testers can be used to perform a ground test.

The purpose of any ground test is to ensure that large amounts of electrical current can properly flow through the wiring. Most electrical wiring in buildings and networks is grounded to prevent damage if a large amount of current enters the system. A typical example is lightning strikes. Ground wires allow this current to quickly flow away from the system and into the ground.

Some people may want to do a ground test at the outlets in their homes or offices. A circuit tester can be connected to the outlet to check the ground wire. The test verifies that the outlet has active power, that the grounding wire is in the correct position, and that the grounding function of the outlet is functioning properly. If the wire tester does not light up properly, it could indicate that the outlet is not grounded.

Outlets or components in an electrical system that are not grounded during a ground test should not be used and should be repaired immediately. Continuing current flow through ungrounded components could result in personal injury or serious damage to wiring or equipment. Conductors and electrodes in an electrical system can also be checked for proper grounding. When the current resistance in a conductor is low, it indicates that it is properly grounded.

Due to numerous safety and technical issues, a licensed or trained electrician should perform a ground test. He could use a voltmeter on one conductor to make sure the ground connection isn’t getting too much current. A high voltage can indicate an overheating issue or a bad connection. The testing process for a ground electrode is a bit more complicated.

Normally, when an electrode is tested, the circuit breakers and main switchboards of an electrical system must be temporarily turned off. The electrode must also be disconnected from the system. A fuse can be connected to one of the breakers and the electrode. After the fuse is connected, the circuit breaker can be turned on, and as long as the fuse blows, the ground connection is good.

Covered ground well pipes must be installed at the marked pole locations with the top of the well pipe flush with the finished slope.

Calculations for in-kind contributions must reflect current market rates and applicants must provide information used to calculate the dollar value of in-kind contributions.

means a ground installed in the ground through the use of drilling equipment to prevent the build-up of voltages which may result in undue danger to persons or equipment. Examples are anode and cathode protection

Horizontal wellbore means a wellbore drilled laterally at an angle of at least eighty (80) degrees from vertical or with a horizontal projection greater than one hundred (100) feet measured from the beginning of penetration into the productive formation to the bottom of the wellbore laterally in the same common source.

Water well means an excavation that is drilled, cored, drilled, drilled, washed, advanced, dug, flushed or otherwise for the purpose of exploring groundwater, monitoring groundwater, exploiting the geothermal properties of the ground, or extracting water from it or is erected injection of water into the aquifer. “Water well” does not include an open trench or drainage slab, or an excavation conducted for the extraction or prospecting of oil, natural gas, minerals, or mined or mined products.

Test well means a well constructed for the purpose of obtaining information necessary for planning a well prior to its construction. Exploratory wells are cased and may be converted to observation or monitoring wells and possibly production wells

Development well means a well drilled within the defined boundaries of an oil or gas reservoir, or in close proximity to the margin of the reservoir, to depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.

Oil well means any well that produces or appears to produce a ratio of less than six thousand (6,000) cubic feet of gas to each (1) barrel of oil based on the initial gas to oil ratio test.

stratigraphic test drilling means a geologically directed drilling effort to obtain information about a specific geological condition. Typically, such wells are drilled with no intention of completing them for hydrocarbon production. This includes core test wells and all types of consumption wells related to hydrocarbon exploration. Stratigraphic test wells are classified as (i) “Exploration Type” if not drilled on a proven property; or (ii) “Development Type” when drilling into a Proven Property. Development type stratigraphic wells are also referred to as “evaluation wells”.

Grounding means the formal prohibition of an aircraft from taking off and taking the necessary measures to detain it;

Monitoring Well – means a well that has been installed to measure some property of the groundwater or aquifer it intrudes and that produces no more than 25,000 gallons of groundwater per year.

Area of ​​shallow flooding means a designated AO or AH zone on a community’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) with a one percent or greater annual probability of flooding to an average depth of one to three feet when no clear there is a defined channel the path of the flood is unpredictable and indefinite; and where velocity flow can be evident. Such flooding is characterized by puddling or stratified flow.

Acre-foot is the amount of water required to cover one acre of land to a depth of one foot, or 325,851 US gallons of water.

Lot depth means the horizontal distance between the front and back lot lines.

Injection well means a well into which liquids are injected. (See also “Underground Injection.”)

Service Well means a well drilled or completed for the purpose of supporting production in an existing field. Wells in this class are drilled for the following specific purposes: gas injection (natural gas, propane, butane, or flue gas), water injection, steam injection, air injection, saltwater disposal, water supply for injection, observation, or injection for incineration.

Built-up area and/or “covered area” in relation to a dwelling means the floor area of ​​that dwelling including the area of ​​balconies and terraces, if any, and also the thickness of the walls (external or internal) and the columns and pillars therein provided that if a wall, pillar or pillar is common between two dwellings, then half the area under that wall pillar or pillar shall be included in the built-up area of ​​each such dwelling.

ILUA Area means the area described in writing in Schedule 2, which includes all land and water within the Claim area shown on the map marked “ILUA Area” in Schedule 3 and does not overlap with any other native claim .

Area of ​​Concern or “AOC” means any area of ​​the facility under the control or property of the owner or operator where a release of hazardous wastes or hazardous components into the environment has occurred, is suspected or may occur, regardless of frequency or duration the release.

Gas Well means a well producing gas or natural gas from a common gas supply source, as determined by the Commission.

Area A denotes the populated areas demarcated by a red line and shaded brown on the attached Map No. 1;

Exploration well means well that is not a development well, service well or stratigraphic test well.

Reconnaissance well means a well that is not a development well, service well or stratigraphic test well.

Abandoned well is a well that has been permanently discontinued or is in a state of disrepair such that it cannot be used for its intended purpose or for observation purposes.

Affected Properties means the properties subject to or covered by the Oil and Gas Leases described in Schedule A if and only to the extent that they cover the Target Formation, subject to the exceptions, exclusions and caveats set forth in this Schedule A.

Subsurface tracer survey refers to the release of a substance marked with radioactive material for the purpose of tracing the movement or position of the marked substance in the borehole or in the adjacent formation.

Water Surface Elevation (WSE) is the height of flooding of varying magnitude and frequency in coastal or river basin flood plains relative to mean sea level.

Impervious area means the number of square feet of solid surface areas that either prevent or delay the ingress of water into the soil mantle as it occurred under natural conditions as undisturbed property and/or allow water to flow in bulk or at the surface an increased rate of flow of what exists as undisturbed property under natural conditions, including but not limited to rooftops, roof extensions, patios, porches, driveways, sidewalks, sidewalks, and athletic fields.

Checking the integrity of your lightning protection system

An effective lightning protection system typically consists of three basic elements.

Objects impacting above ground (air terminals, overhead wires, structural metal), connection terminals and down-conductors. Above ground lightning protection systems can be implemented as one or a combination of the following topologies: Composite systems, where equipotential bonding is made between the lightning protection system and all utilities, building metal, etc.

Isolated systems, where overhead lines completely shield underlying assets from direct lightning strikes. Underground Grounding Conductors, Counterpoises, and Grounding Grids Surge Protectors for Panelboards and Electronics

The integrity of all elements of the lightning protection system must be verified so that a lightning protection system can discharge direct and indirect lightning currents and voltages safely and quickly.

In addition to the three basic lightning protection system elements, there are other critical lightning protection elements that are often overlooked and cause significant problems for industries that use monitoring and control systems (power plants, chemical plants, etc.). These items are surge protector, shield, and connection. Transient protection is provided by a combination of filtering and surge protection devices. The design and implementation of appropriate transient protection depends on factors such as circuit topologies, operating voltages, current handling, physical circuit location, interfaces, and exposure. Inadequate shielding and bonding can result in excessive and damaging induced voltages across interfaces or devices due to nearby lightning strikes. As a result, facilities often experience blown fuses, damaged data acquisition or control boards, damaged sensors or transmitters, etc. It is important to note that these types of damage can still occur even when the three basic lightning protection elements have been properly installed and are working properly . SLS is an industry leader in developing site-specific transient protection, shielding, and interconnect topologies to provide optimal protection and minimize lightning-related downtime.

SLS designs highly complex lightning protection systems for critical assets. Our team of experts knows how to design lightning protection systems. We use this knowledge to ensure that your assets are adequately protected against lightning.

A fundamental component of safety and protection for your business and/or home’s electrical system is proper grounding. For this reason, one or more grounding rods are required on your property as per the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local building codes. Grounding Rods are simple and inexpensive, but they are vital in protecting your electrical equipment and appliances, so they must not be neglected.

What is an earth stake?

A ground rod is usually located very close to your main electrical panel and is often made of copper or copper-coated steel. They are about ½ inch in diameter and 8 to 10 feet long. It must be electrically connected to your main electrical panel to provide an approved ground connection.

If a single ground has a resistance of 25 ohms or less, building codes allow it to be used as the sole grounding device. If the resistance of a ground rod is greater than 25 ohms, at least one additional ground rod is required.

Checking your ground rod

Grounding rods and their connections to your business or home’s electrical system can become damaged over time and require proper maintenance. Causes of damage include corrosion, freeze-thaw cycles, landscaping equipment, or careless installation of floors for other equipment such as cable TV, security systems, or generators.

A visual grounding check can be performed by examining the wire connecting the panel near the meter to the grounding rod. Typically this is a copper wire about 1/4″ in diameter and can be seen penetrating the ground. Below the surface, the wire is connected to one or more earth rods. The tops of the ground rods are usually below the surface and may not be easy to inspect. However, ground rods sometimes extend a few inches above the surface, making it easy to check the connection.

In some cases, problems with ground stakes are easy to spot. Poles that are not fully installed may protrude a foot or more above the surface of the earth. This reduces the effectiveness of the soil. Grounding rods that are bent, have loosened wires, or are badly corroded must be replaced. Ground stakes installed in rocky or dry ground should be tested for low resistance. If soil conditions change due to drainage or other factors affecting soil moisture, a ground stake that was acceptable at the time of installation may no longer meet approved requirements.

Unfortunately, we have no control over how well your panel is grounded. Unless you provide proper NEC grounding, there is no way to mitigate electrical damage that may occur outside of your panel. If you have concerns about grounding your business or home, consult a licensed electrician.

Protection against overvoltages

Among the various situations that can occur in your electrical system, the most common are high voltage surges and damage or loss of one of the service conductors.

Surges are often caused by lightning strikes on or near power lines. Also, voltage spikes can occur when nearby large appliances or heavy machinery are turned on or off. Proper grounding keeps your home’s electrical system stable and reduces the effects of these surges.

If a branch falls or a car hits a pole, the power line from the power grid to your home can be cut off. Properly grounding your home and business is important to eliminate or minimize potential damage. If not properly grounded, fluctuating voltages in the home can cause undervoltage damage to motorized equipment or overvoltage damage to electronics.

Another critical point regarding sensitive electronic equipment is the proper installation and operation of surge protective devices (SPD). The best surge protection equipment is much less effective without a properly installed and maintained grounding system. SPDs work by conducting harmful electrical surges from your sensitive electronics to ground, and they require the best possible grounding to function properly.

It is therefore necessary that you have and maintain an NEC approved grounding system as part of your electrical system.

The creation of this blog comes from the founding blog of Peninsula Light Co., which can be found here.