4 The Grounding Electrode System

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