Grounding Presentation

THE SUBJECT
GROUNDING
AND THE
NEC
THE SPEAKER
• BOB LUDECKE
• Member IAEI
• CA Certified Electrician
• Lic. Electrical Contractor
• CSLB Industry Expert
• CSLB Subject Matter Expert
• Hands on Electrician Since 1974
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Thomas E. Trainor
Chief Electrical Inspector
City of San Diego, California
Representing IAEI on CMP 7
Member - NFPA
Member - U.L. Electrical Council
ALSO GUILTY OF:
Member of the original NFPA Task Group
on the
Useability of the National Electrical Code
Chaired the sub-committee assigned to review

Article 250 and make recommendations to
improve it’s “useability”
The ‘99 NEC
Completely Reorganized
Exceptions Minimized
And Most Importantly.......
Performance Requirements Added

Prescriptive vs Performance
NEC rules are typically Prescriptive

A Prescriptive Rule tells you what to do
But, what it doesn’t tell you is.....
Why you’re doing it!

Prescriptive vs Performance
A Performance Rule is descriptive

It describes what has to be accomplished
And this description will most generally
Explain the intent of the rule

Why is this Important?
Grounding continues to be a Mystery

Improper Grounding is Commonplace
Proper Grounding is vital for an installation
To protect from Fire and Electrocution

Why is this Important?
It is my considered opinion,
That a better understanding of
The intent of the Grounding Rules
Will lead to better, safer installations

TYPICAL CIRCUIT OPERATION
• Only four things can happen when a circuit

is energized.
• It can operate normally
• There can be an overload
• There can be a short circuit
• There can be a ground fault
HOW DOES GROUNDING FIT IN?
• As long as the circuit is operating normally,
• GROUNDING IS NOT NEEDED
• As long as the circuit is operating normally,

THE “UNGROUNDED” CIRCUIT
A circuit consisting of a transformer,

2 - 15A conductors and a light bulb
will operate just fine (Check out the barn)
Grounding is not needed
To make it work or To make it safe
• Under an overload condition,
• PROTECTION FROM OVERLOAD

IS PROVIDED BY
• THE OVERCURRENT DEVICE
• Note that current is only flowing on the
conductors that we installed to carry current
• Under a short circuit condition,
• PROTECTION AGAINST SHORT CIRCUIT

IS PROVIDED BY
• Again, current is only flowing on the
conductors we installed to carry current
• Under a ground fault condition,
• PROTECTION AGAINST GROUND FAULT

IS PROVIDED BY
• HOWEVER……...
RETURN PATH REQUIRED
• THE OVERCURRENT DEVICE CAN ONLY
PROTECT AGAINST A GROUND FAULT
IF,
• THE CIRCUIT IS INSTALLED SO THAT ALL
METAL PARTS ARE BONDED TOGETHER
AND TO THE SERVICE NEUTRAL,
• WHICH CREATES A LOW RESISTANCE
PATH FOR FAULT CURRENT TO RETURN
TO THE SOURCE OF SUPPLY
LETS LOOK AT A TYPICAL CIRCUIT
L
O
A
D
100’ of Overhead Distribution Line,

25’ of Service Drop,
25’ of Service Entrance Conductor,
100’ of Branch Circuit Conductors
L
O
A
D
Current flows…...
L
O
A
D
From the transformer to our Service

PATH OF CURRENT FLOW - NORMAL OPERATION
L
O
A
D
Through the Overcurrent Device to our Load

L
O
A
D
Through the Load returning to the Service

L
O
A
D
And back to the transformer

L
O
A
D
What determines the amount of

current that will flow in this circuit?
L
O
A
D
The Total RESISTANCE or IMPEDANCE

in the circuit will determine the amount of
current that will flow in the circuit
THINGS YOU CAN COUNT ON
• OHMS LAW WORKS

• We can change the code, or
• Hire a different contractor, or
• Use romex instead of EMT, but
• E = I x R still works
OVERLOAD AND SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITIONS
L
O
A
D
How is our circuit protected against

overload and short circuit?
OVERLOAD AND SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITIONS
15A Circuit Breaker
L
O
A
D
THE OVERCURRENT DEVICE

PROTECTS THIS CIRCUIT FROM BOTH
OVERLOAD AND SHORT CIRCUIT
SUMMARIZING TO THIS POINT
CIRCUIT CONDITION PROTECTION PROVIDED BY:
GROUNDING? O/C PROT?
NORMAL OPERATION NO NO
OVERLOAD CONDITION NO YES
SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION NO YES

GROUND FAULT CONDITION
So lets talk about a Ground Fault Condition
Which certainly sounds like the one

condition where Grounding would be
important and decide for ourselves whether
Grounding Provides Protection for
Equipment or Personnel under a Ground
Fault Condition
L
O
A
D
What happens if the hot conductor

comes into contact with our metal box?
L
O
A
D
And our friend comes along and

touches it?
IS HE IN JEOPARDY?
L
O
A
D
NO NOT AT ALL
AND WHY NOT?
L
O
A
D
Because the transformer we’re looking at

IS NOT GROUNDED
so there is NO PATH THROUGH EARTH
for current to return to the transformer
L
O
A
D
Yes, that was a “Trick” question

Sorry about that
But the intent was to make a point
THINGS YOU CAN COUNT ON
• NO CIRCUIT - NO CURRENT
• CURRENT DOES NOT FLOW UNLESS THERE IS
A CONTINOUS PATH FROM ONE SIDE OF THE
SOURCE OF SUPPLY TO THE OTHER
• CURRENT CANNOT TRAVEL THROUGH THE

EARTH TO RETURN TO A TRANSFORMER
UNLESS THE TRANSFORMER IS GROUNDED
L
O
A
D
So our friend in this situation

is perfectly safe
HOWEVER.....
L
O
A
D
What do we know about utility

company transformers?
L
O
A
D
THEY’RE GROUNDED
And, with this transformer grounded,
our friend is in serious jeopardy
SO WHY ARE THEY GROUNDED?
• To minimize the damage caused if
lightning strikes their distribution lines, or
• If a 12 KV line drops onto a low voltage
line,
• In addition, grounding the neutral of the
distribution system stabilizes the voltage.
• So, basically for the same reason we
ground services at buildings.
L
O
A
D
Because utility transformers are grounded,

we need to do something to our equipment
to keep our friend from being electrocuted
L
O
A
D
Can we protect our friend by grounding

our metal equipment? Lets take a look.
L
O
A
D
Grounding our equipment provides

a second path for fault current
L
O
A
D
The first is through our friend to

earth and back to the transformer
L
O
A
D
The new second path is through our metal

equipment to earth and back to the transformer
FAULT CURRENT PATH
We need to open a 15A Circuit Breaker
as quickly as possible. This will require
a fault current of 60A to 75A.
(4 to 5 times the rating of the breaker)
We can use Ohm’s Law to find out how

much current will flow on our new path.
L
O
A
D
The voltage is 120V. We need to know the

resistance in this circuit to calculate current
FAULT CURRENT PATH
Assuming a minimum of 5 ohms resistance
through each grounding electrode, we know
there is at least 10 ohms resistance in the
fault path that we created by grounding our
equipment.
FAULT CURRENT PATH
THEREFORE, USING OHM’S LAW:
E = I x R and Transposing, I = E / R
I (current) = E(voltage) / R(resistance)
and so, I = 120 / 10 = 12A

FAULT CURRENT PATH
ONLY 12 AMPS
WILL 12 AMPS TRIP
OUR 15A CIRCUIT BREAKER?
ABSOLUTELY NOT
WITH EQUIPMENT GROUNDED
L
O
A
D
So the Overcurrent Device does not open

And we have fried our friend
CONCLUSION
GROUNDING
DOES NOT PROTECT
EQUIPMENT OR PERSONNEL
FROM A GROUND FAULT

THE BONDING CONNECTION
L
O
A
D
The vital connection left out of our

discussion until now is the bonding of
metal equipment to the service neutral
Every piece of conductive metal which is a part

of our system or likely to become energized
Must be connected together by an electrically

continuous metal-to-metal contact or by an
equipment grounding conductor
These connections create an electrically

continuous, low resistance path from every part
of our system back to the service equipment
At the Service, these connections terminate on

the Neutral Bus
L
O
A
D
These bonding connections let us use

the neutral as a return path for fault current
L
O
A
D
Bonding provides a third path for fault

current to return to the source of supply
FAULT CURRENT PATH
We need to open a 15A Circuit Breaker
as quickly as possible. This will require
a fault current of 60A to 75A.
(4 to 5 times the rating of the breaker)
We can use Ohm’s Law to find out how

much current will flow on our new path.
FAULT CURRENT PATH
The resistance in this path includes
100’ - #2 AL OH Distribution .032
25’ - #4 AL Service Drop .013
25’ - #2 CU Service Entrance .005
100’ - #14 CU Branch Circuit .307
Resistance to the point of fault .357 ohms
.357 ohms
L
O
A
D
.3 ohms
The resistance from the point of fault

through our metal equipment back to the neutral
is assumed to be the same as the branch circuit wiring
and 100’ of #14 cu has a resistance of .3 ohm
.357 ohms
.57 ohms
L
O
A
D
.3 ohms
The total resistance in this path

created by bonding is .714 ohms
FAULT CURRENT PATH
USING OHM’S LAW:
E = I x R and Transposing, I = E / R
I (current) = E(voltage) / R(resistance)
and so, I = 120 / .714 = 168A

L
O
A
D
The Fault Current Return Path through

the Neutral allows 168A of fault current to
flow and forces the overcurrent device to open
L
O
A
D
THIS PATH DOES NOT RELY ON

GROUNDING AND WORKS EVEN IF
OUR SYSTEM IS NOT GROUNDED
CONCLUSION
THE OVERCURRENT DEVICE PROTECTS

AGAINST GROUND FAULT CONDITIONS
PROVIDED THAT
OUR CIRCUITS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED

SO THAT ALL CONDUCTIVE METALS
ARE BONDED TOGETHER AND TO THE
SERVICE NEUTRAL
IN REVIEW
GROUNDING
IS A CONNECTION TO EARTH
INTENDED TO PROTECT OUR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FROM
LIGHTNING AND HIGH VOLTAGE
IN REVIEW

PROTECTS OUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FROM OVERLOAD AND SHORT CIRCUIT
IN REVIEW

PROTECTS OUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FROM A GROUND FAULT CONDITION
IF…….
IN REVIEW
PROPER BONDING HAS CREATED

AN ELECTRICALLY CONTINOUS,
LOW RESISTANCE PATH

FOR FAULT CURRENT TO RETURN
TO THE NEUTRAL AT THE SERVICE
SO WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
WHY DOES
“GROUNDING”
CONTINUE TO BE
A SUBJECT OF
MYSTERY AND CONFUSION?
IN MY OPINION
There are Three Areas where the CODE

has not dealt well with this subject.
THEY ARE:
CONFUSING VOCABULARY
OVER-EMPHASIS ON GROUNDING
ACTUAL MISINFORMATION
VOCABULARY
WHICH TERMS ARE EASIER TO
READ AND UNDERSTAND?
unGROUNDed HOT
GROUNDed NEUTRAL
GROUNDing GROUND
ENOUGH SAID
OVER-EMPHASIS ON GROUNDING
ARTICLE 250 IN THE 1996 NEC IS
DIVIDED INTO TWELVE PARTS
ELEVEN ARE ON GROUNDING

ONLY ONE IS ON BONDING
The Term “Low Impedance Ground Fault

Return Path” is not mentioned at all
IN THE 1990 NEC, THE FINE PRINT

NOTES TOLD US THAT EQUIPMENT
WAS GROUNDED IN ORDER TO
“FACILITATE THE OPERATION OF
OVERCURRENT DEVICES UNDER
FAULT CONDITIONS”
IN THE 1996 NEC, SECTION 250-51

STILL TELLS US THAT THE
“PATH TO GROUND” MUST BE OF
LOW IMPEDANCE IN ORDER TO
“FACILITATE THE OPERATION OF THE
CIRCUIT PROTECTIVE DEVICES”
ARTICLE 100 PROVIDES GOOD

DEFINITIONS OF:
GROUNDING, which is
A CONNECTION TO EARTH, and
BONDING, which is
AN INTERCONNECTION OF PARTS
BUT ARTICLE 250 HAS TENDED TO USE

THE TERM “GROUNDING”
AS IF IT INCLUDED
THE CONNECTION TO EARTH,
THE INTERCONNECTION OF PARTS
and THE FAULT CURRENT PATH
THE 1999 NEC BRINGS US…….
A RESTRUCTURED AND REVISED

ARTICLE 250
Which not only:

Puts requirements in a more logical order,
And reduces the number of exceptions by
changing them to positive text
BUT ALSO ADDS:

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
FOR GROUNDING and BONDING,
AND THE NEW TERM
“FAULT CURRENT PATH”
AND, THROUGH THESE NEW

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS,
MORE CLEARLY IDENTIFIES WHAT

GROUNDING, BONDING AND
THE FAULT CURRENT PATH
ARE REQUIRED TO ACCOMPLISH
Appendix E which provides cross references

from the “96 to the ‘99 NEC and vice versa
Figure 250-2 which graphically depicts the
relationship of Bonding to the other Parts of
Article 250 to emphasize it’s importance
Part A. General
Part B. Circuit and

system grounding
Part H. Direct-current
systems
Part K. Grounding of
system and circuits of
1kV and over (high voltage)
Part C. Grounding electrode

system and grounding Part E. Bonding
electrode conductor
Part D. Enclosure,
raceway, and service
cable grounding
Part F. Equipment
grounding and equipment
grounding conductors
Part G. Methods of
equipment grounding
Part J. Instruments,
meters, and relays
Figure 250-2 Grounding

HOWEVER.............
AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE 250 IN

THE 1999 NEC HAVE BEEN APPROVED
BY CMP-5 AND AT THE NFPA ANNUAL
MEETING IN ANAHEIM
WE CAN BENEFIT FROM THESE

ADOPTED CHANGES WHICH WILL
BE PUBLISHED IN THE 2002 NEC
Help From The 2002 NEC
In a new Section 250-2, the 2002 NEC

adds definitions of technical terms, such as:
Ground Fault
Ground-Fault Current Path
Effective Ground-Fault Current Path
A real help in understanding the intent of
the Grounding and Bonding requirements
Old Section 250-2 becomes 250-4

Which now better explains the differences
between Grounding and Bonding, and
Separates the requirements for Grounded
and Ungrounded Systems
Another plus for user-friendly code

THE 2002 NEC
New Section 250-2 Definitions.
Ground Fault.
An unintentional, electrically conducting
connection between an ungrounded conductor
of an electrical circuit and the normally non-
current carrying conductors, metallic
enclosures, metallic raceways, metallic
equipment or earth.
THE 2002 NEC
Ground-Fault Current Path.
An electrically conductive path from the point
of a ground fault on a wiring system through
normally non-current carrying conductors,
equipment or the earth to the electrical supply
source.
THE 2002 NEC
FPN: Examples of ground-fault current paths could
consist of any combination of equipment grounding
conductors, metallic raceways, metallic cable
sheaths, electrical equipment, and any other
electrically conductive material such as metal water
and gas piping, steel framing members, stucco mesh,
metal ducting, reinforcing steel, shields of
communication cables and the earth itself.
THE 2002 NEC
Effective Ground-Fault Current Path.
An intentionally constructed, permanent, low
impedance, electrically conductive path
designed and intended to carry current under
ground fault conditions from the point of a
ground fault on a wiring system to the
electrical supply source.
THE 2002 NEC
FPN: An effective ground-fault current path is created by
effectively bonding together all of the electrically conductive
materials that are likely to be energized by the wiring
system. Effective bonding is accomplished through the use
of equipment grounding conductors, bonding jumpers or
bonding conductors, approved metallic raceways, connectors
and couplings, approved metallic sheathed cable and cable
fittings, and other approved devices. A ground fault path is
effective when it will safely carry the maximum ground fault
current likely to be imposed on it.
THE 2002 NEC
An effective ground-fault current path is

created by effectively bonding together all of
the electrically conductive materials that are
likely to be energized by the wiring system.
THE 2002 NEC
Effective bonding is accomplished through

the use of equipment grounding conductors,
bonding jumpers or bonding conductors,
approved metallic raceways, connectors and
couplings, approved metallic sheathed cable
and cable fittings, and other approved devices.
THE 2002 NEC
A ground fault path is effective when it will

safely carry the maximum ground fault current
likely to be imposed on it.
Old Section 250-2 becomes:
250-4. General Requirements for
Grounding and Bonding
which is divided into:
(A) Grounded Systems, and
(B) Ungrounded Systems
New Section 250-4 (A)
(1) Electrical System Grounding
(2) Grounding of Electrical Equipment
(3) Bonding of Electrical Equipment
(4) Bonding of Electrically Conductive
Materials and Other Equipment
(5) Effective Ground Fault Current Path
(1) Electrical System Grounding
Electrical systems that are grounded shall
be connected to earth in a manner that will
limit the voltage imposed by lightning, line
surges, or unintentional contact with higher
voltage lines and that will stabilize the
voltage to earth during normal operation.
Non-current carrying conductive materials
enclosing electrical conductors or equipment,
or forming part of such equipment, shall be
connected to earth so as to limit the voltage
to ground on these materials.
enclosing electrical conductors or equipment,
or forming part of such equipment, shall be
connected together and to the electrical
supply source in a manner that establishes an
effective ground fault current path.
(4) Bonding of Electrical Conductive
Electrically conductive materials that are
likely to become energized shall be connected
together and to the electrical supply source in
a manner that establishes an effective ground
fault current path.
(5) Effective Ground Fault Current Path
Electrical equipment and wiring and other electrically
conductive material likely to become energized shall be
installed in a manner that creates a permanent, low
impedance circuit capable of safely carrying the maximum
ground fault current likely to be imposed on it from any
point on the wiring system where a ground fault may occur
to the electrical supply source.
The earth shall not be used as the sole equipment
grounding conductor or fault current path.
New Section 250-4 (B)
(3) Bonding of Electrically Conductive
(4) Path for Fault Current
enclosing electrical conductors or equipment, or
forming part of such equipment, shall be connected
to earth so as to limit the voltage imposed by
lightning, line surges, or unintentional contact with
higher voltage lines and limit the voltage to ground
on these materials
enclosing electrical conductors or equipment, shall
be connected together and to the supply system
grounded equipment in a manner that creates a
permanent, low impedance path for ground fault
current which is capable of safely carrying the
maximum fault current likely to be imposed on it.
(3) Bonding of Electrical Conductive
Electrically conductive materials that are likely to
become energized shall be connected together and to the
supply system grounded equipment in a manner that
creates a permanent, low impedance path for ground
fault current which is capable of safely carrying the
maximum fault current likely to be imposed on it.
(4) Path for Fault Current
Electrical equipment, wiring and other electrically
conductive material likely to become energized shall be
installed in a manner that creates a permanent, low
impedance circuit from any point on the wiring system to
the electrical supply source to facilitate the operation of
overcurrent devices should a second fault occur on the
wiring system.
The earth shall not be used as the sole equipment
grounding conductor or fault current path.
IN CLOSING
THE CHANGES TO ARTICLE 250 IN

THE ‘99 & ‘O2 NEC ARE EXTENSIVE
IT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY
RENUMBERED AND REWORDED
MANY EXCEPTIONS HAVE BEEN
REWRITTEN INTO POSITIVE TEXT
IN CLOSING
SOME RULES, SUCH AS 250-32, HAVE

BEEN COMPLETELY CHANGED
OTHERS HAVE BEEN RELOCATED,
REWRITTEN AND/OR REORGANIZED
THESE CHANGES WILL AFFECT
EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE
ELECTRICAL INDUSTTRY
THE POSITIVE APPROACH
These changes are a blessing in disguise

We all need to get a fresh start on this
subject and clarify our understanding of
why we ground and bond electrical
systems and how grounding and bonding
are related to safe electrical installations
The best way to do that is to work through

Article 250 as if it were totally new
Check that terms are used consistently as
they are defined
Check the rules against what you see in the
field
Always question the “why” of the rule
Don’t stop until you really understand it
And how to apply it on the job

And, when you review Grounding
Use the wording in the 2002 NEC
It’s the closest we’ve ever gotten to

accurately describing this topic
Using the new wording in the 2002 NEC
Will make it easier to show contractors what

Grounding and Bonding have to accomplish
And that’s important because
Grounding
Bonding
and the
Ground-Fault Current Path

are critical elements of electrical safety
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION

Grounding Presentation

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Grounding Presentation

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

THE SUBJECT

Chaired the sub-committee assigned to review

Performance Requirements Added

NEC rules are typically Prescriptive

Why you’re doing it!

A Performance Rule is descriptive

Explain the intent of the rule

Grounding continues to be a Mystery

To protect from Fire and Electrocution

Will lead to better, safer installations

• Only four things can happen when a circuit

• As long as the circuit is operating normally,

• GROUNDING IS NOT NEEDED

• As long as the circuit is operating normally,

• GROUNDING IS NOT NEEDED

A circuit consisting of a transformer,

• GROUNDING IS NOT NEEDED

• PROTECTION FROM OVERLOAD

• GROUNDING IS NOT NEEDED

• PROTECTION AGAINST SHORT CIRCUIT

• GROUNDING IS NOT NEEDED

• PROTECTION AGAINST GROUND FAULT

100’ of Overhead Distribution Line,

From the transformer to our Service

Through the Overcurrent Device to our Load

Through the Load returning to the Service

And back to the transformer

What determines the amount of

The Total RESISTANCE or IMPEDANCE

• OHMS LAW WORKS

How is our circuit protected against

15A Circuit Breaker

THE OVERCURRENT DEVICE

CIRCUIT CONDITION PROTECTION PROVIDED BY:

GROUNDING? O/C PROT?

OVERLOAD CONDITION NO YES

SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION NO YES

So lets talk about a Ground Fault Condition

Which certainly sounds like the one

What happens if the hot conductor

And our friend comes along and

Because the transformer we’re looking at

Yes, that was a “Trick” question

• CURRENT CANNOT TRAVEL THROUGH THE

So our friend in this situation

What do we know about utility

Because utility transformers are grounded,

Can we protect our friend by grounding

Grounding our equipment provides

The first is through our friend to

The new second path is through our metal

We can use Ohm’s Law to find out how

The voltage is 120V. We need to know the

THEREFORE, USING OHM’S LAW:

I (current) = E(voltage) / R(resistance)

and so, I = 120 / 10 = 12A

So the Overcurrent Device does not open

DOES NOT PROTECT

FROM A GROUND FAULT

The vital connection left out of our

Every piece of conductive metal which is a part

Must be connected together by an electrically

These connections create an electrically

At the Service, these connections terminate on