9/6/2013

Soares Book on Grounding and Bonding

2071 NEC
Grounding of Electrial Service and Grounding Electro.le Systems

Presentation by:

International Association of Electrical Inspectors

3

Soares Book on Grounding and Bonding

. IAEI's Soares Book on

Grounding and Bonding

. 11th Edition

. Based on the requirements

ofthe 2011 National
Electrical code

. Dedicated to the memory

of Eustace Soares

Definitions-Grounding as Compared to Bonding

. Ground:fheearth.
. Grounded (Grounding):Conneded (connecting) to ground
or to a conductive body that eKends the ground
connection.
. Bonded (Bonding).'Connected to establish electrical
continuity and conductivity.
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Grounded (Grounding)
Gdnded (Grourding): ConnEted (csnecttrE) to
grrund or some @djctive body that extends the
9rund qrnection.
Grdnded ffiductfr

O = Conductive body €xtends the gmund conneciion

o
t
@
Grunded
t

Bonded (Bonding)

Sorded (Bonding): Cdnsted to €stablish electricl

continuity and condKtivity.

@ = eonded (EordirE)

Purposes of Grounding and Bonding

Grounding (Connecting to earth)

. Limit the voltages due to lightning, line surges or
unintentional contact with higher voltage lines
. Stabilize voltage to ground during normal operation

Bonding (Co n n ecti n g tog eth er)

. Bonding shall be provided where necessary to ensure

electrical continuity
!r Must have the capacity to conduct safely any fault current
s likely to be imposed
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Grounding Compared to Bonding

Definition [Article 100]

. Grounded Conductor. "A system or circuit conductor that is

intentionally grounded"
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250.24(C) Grounded Conductor Brought to

Grunded senice conductor must be;
1. Routed with phase conductors
2. Run to eadr srvice discsneclirE means
3, Conneded to the grdnded @ndKtor terminal and
borded to seilke dl*onnectinq rcans aclNre
tirough the main bonding jumper
4. Sized no smalls than grounding dectrode @nducbr
5, Sized at l6st 12!t percent of are of conductffi
where hrqer thar given in Table 250.66
6. Based on equivalst area of ungrounded
pnrdllel seilke-entr-dnce condlrtoE
- 7. lnstalled ;n parallel where seruice is installed ir
parallel in two or rcre racsays
r 8. Must not have an ampaciry rating lss than th€
ungrounded condudor of a 3-phase, 3-wrre delta
seryice
, 9. Sized in acddarce
1
with minimum requiremmts
0f 220.61

Grounded Conductor Run to Each Seryice Disconnect

Ttle grounded conducto(s) is required to b€ brought to the grounded coMuctor
teminal b6 at the *rvie dismrecting mN
and borded !o each s€ryice
disconnedirE means eodosure using a main bondirE jumper

Servie
disnnect
L---.--*

Mettr etrlo$re

Pamlboard

High-Impedance Path
G.ounded condxtor !O! in*alled from source to Sedic disonnect

: High-impedance path

OnV high-imp€dame path fs return of ground-fault crr.rent from service

dironn€ct to grounded oure

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Low-Impedance paUr
C{otfid€d corductor installed fom source to sewice discdlnect

8dh high- and low-impedance paths for retum of grond-iault qrrent

rrom souc t0 service disconrFct to source

Minimum Size of Grounded Seruice Conductor

. Calculate load on grounded conductor according to 220.61

. Compare calculated size with Table 250.66
. Cannot be smaller than the grounding electrode conductor
from Table 250.66
. Use larger of two conductor sizes determined
. Use L21/z percent rule for service-entrance conductors that
exceed the kcmil values given in Table 250.6G

:. Grounded conductor based on size of ungrounded service

sE conductors, not on overcurrentdevice rating
q
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9/6/2013
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Mininnrm Slze of Grounded Service @nducbr

clafid ranke conducbr

# b.sst on rbadb.gr*
ungrowdcd serviF€ntrltE
g oodEb.s pnTrbh 250.66
ll s
ii
i

Trbb 250.65 Gruundng ELctrodc Conductor

br Altdn.dng{urfclrt W6
SbrdlrgarunFudadsa,lc $?oa6ofiliE
E brcCddo.to.aE{ririldaAra e.dnd?ffiIlor
lbhni.lcmdItri (AlttGrsnS) Or{Cdmll
Ar*un c Aur*ul q
Coto€d AoD9q€.d
Cope6 ,*rddn cw A5rnnt

2qm.ls ttcs.lq 8 6
lql/O 2/0610 6 4
2nq3/0 1nq8 1 2
on3/o oc250 2 UO
fi@(tllo $.aghCD
OE350 Oasqt lJo 1,!
terCrfl thqlghtoo
OESm o€gm Z0 aio
$@('h ll0 !R$ 1750
Osllo Odr7C, l/O A

Sizi ng Grounded Conducto r 1250.2a(QQ)l

. Where the service€ntrance conductors are run in parallel,

the size of the grounded conductor shall be based on the
total cm area of the parallel conductors in the same
enclosure
. Where the service-entrance conductors are installed in two
or more raceways, the size of the grounded conductor shall
be based on the size of tte ungrounded seryice-entrance
conductor in the raceway but not gnaller than U0

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310.10(H) Parallel SeMce Conductons

Prrrldddrcb.s
(decbicdlyjoincd rt bot,l €ilts)

Prlrllel cfiAjcbls ilrst be gane: \\"

I
I ltngllr
- w&--"
5
1.
2.coisrdrrn tedd
3, g:c h drql$ mll.rcr
-- €6
t.IErHbn tttpe
5. tlnrl.r of t-ntinrtioar

'(P.tttct @nt Jctu\ d. got edy ,"qthd to b 1n AWG .N Lg'lt b si'/)

Parallel Service Gonductors

tilhGte dlscfviccnfarc ddjctors r€

in the sane racfy, theg.oqrd€d
conductor b to b€ Szed rt r€t l€ss $st
gfircn in TlUe 250,66

Trblc 250.66, g2h9of grotnded dtdudrs

b be rmh.surcr lVArf'g'.to'Wl
lr€a of bq6tsctof DErurrxled
cond(ttrs per 25{L2r(q(1)

IOE e icstaled ln tm a mq€ racayaF,

th€gtlrndcd condrrbrCrc ts b6aat dr
the siE of the ungurded dducb.s h
lach ffi (bsl d Trdc 250.66), li
bd not sn lstl.n f/0 AIVG
i

ii

i
i
Parallel Service-Entrance Conductors
tl
Example Number 1:
i
I

3 - 4/0 copper conductors per phase

Chapter 9, Table 8.410 = 211,600 cir, mils
3 X 211,600 = 634,800 crn li
Refer to Table 250.66
li
Minimum size grounded seMce conductor is 2/0 copper or 4/0
ii
- aluminum

il
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Parallel Seruice-Entrance Conductors

Example Number 2:

6 - 4/0 copper conductors per phase

Chapter 9, Table 8. 4/0 = 211/500 cir. mils
6 X 211,600 = 1,269,600 cm
Exceeds 1100 kcmils, use 12.5olo rule
1,269,600 cm x .125 = 158,700 cm

Chapter 9, Table 8, next larger size = 3/0 copper

The "Grounding Target" at the Service

The orounding T8rgot ..$l.q"

*:Sl*
EquP.ncd

""##,/ \

Or&

The "Grounding Target" at the Seruice

2. GtoundirE
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Main Bonding Jumper in Listed Equipment

. Can be used without calculation of size

. Sized in accordance with sizing requirements of the
applicable product safety standard

For example:
. Dead-front switchboards, UL-891
. Motor Control Centers, UL-845
. Panelboards, UL-67
. PowerOutlets, UL-231
. Furnished by the manufacturer

250.28 Main Bonding Jumper

Bus for n&tral or gronded

@ndKtor

Main bondrng jumper may be

srs
wire, bus or (9€n linish
if it is a sr€w)

Equiprcnt grounding bus

bonded to enclGure (by
main bonding jumper in the
form of a <rew)
 91612013

I'lain Bonding Jumper - Multiple Enclosures

r'-- /' -
I i{
t,:
1

i.ti r.

, ,-...
t[r
I

I ',.:,/L i

I i*..,-l
i

l'-"Fl
I .; rl rt.
(All mnducttrs not shM)

l0
 91612013

250.28 Main Bonding Jumper

MBJ - Wire MBJ - Strag MBJ - Scer

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t2
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250.92(A) Bondlng Seryie Egulpm€nt

Th€ nonrdly noattumnbanylng matrl ptrts of *ille €rylprnat Equkrd
b be ldded togc$er hdud€:
S€ririac rrcewaF and crHc
anno. or $eath

Sflie cqiJipfllcr* erdo6urcs

hdudng m€t€rerdosu€g

Note: Eo.xlirE reqoi€d

around irpai]€d @onectiro,
$ch rEdrrdng mshcrs o(
ffiiEd,
'3 @rrenbic. or
€srtsic knodol.ts

Bord bg€Bs in a m€dFd 9stfied by 250.92(8) ard da bffdirg jmpeE

pcr s'Es in TlbL 250.65

Use of Groundcd (Neutral) C.onducbr

for Bonding (Line Side of Service)
S€rvice dbcom€cb

G.ilnded cflluctor penitted to be use{t br groirdng m the sFp}y

side of the s€rvi:e discfine{s) in mrdare wnh 250.f42(AX1)

250.92(8) Bonding Flttings

@ Borxling Lodfin- Used where m orcntst

or eccentsic tnodouts ]enah
(St ndld lo&nlt permitbd on oppode side)

Usc with bondhg jrnper

ro Borlding Itlbdge
-
around conc€ntic or c€cer{rlc hoclorjts;
wf,fi q withqrt bfidlng fumper wfi€r€ m
coocerti€ or ccet*ric kffikouts
(St nd.d lodout pennr'tted on oppo6fte si&)

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 9t612013

250.92(8) Methods of Bonding Service Equipment@

Threaded coupfiaEs or bosses on

ffilGures fiade up wrexhtight

Conduit hub fumished in many tEde

conduit sizes as accssory by equiFnent
manufacturer (ln*all acording to
manufacture/s irFtructions)

Thr@dle$ @uplings and conneclors

made up tigtrt ftr rigid m€bl conduit,
interrEdiate met3l conduit, and electrical
retillic tubing

t4
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Methods of Bonding at Service 250.92(B)

. Listed lugs, pressure connectors, other listed means (250.8)

. Threaded couplings and connectors or threaded hubs on
enclosures where made up wrenchtight
. Threadless couplings and connectors if made up tight for
metal raceways or metal-clad cables
. Other listed devices, such as bonding-type locknuts,
bushings, or bushings with bonding jumpers
. Standard locknuts are not permitted for the bonding
required by this section
:. Bonding jumpers are required to be used around impaired
! concentric or eccentric knockouts
. Connections cannot depend on solder [250.148(E)]

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Definition [Afticle 100]

. Grounding Electrode.' 'A conducting object through which a

direct connection to earth is established"
. The details and descriptions ofthe various grounding
electrodes acceptable for grounding are contained in
2s0.52(A)
o The definition of grounding electrode is intended to work
cooperatively with the list of electrodes identified in
2s0.s2(A)

Functions of Grounding Electrode

Y =l
Gmunding Electro(h; A cdducting object
through whi.t a dj€ct connection to earttt
is eslaui*Ed.

w
li"ip;1ag
1. Connects the elctrical q/stem to ear$r

2. ConnecE €l€cbcd equirn€.rt to earth

3. /Ut€mpts to rointain equi!fient

earth Yofirage potential
!t the

--l*
Ule effect in dearing ground faufis

I 'i
r, E',ll
4.

Grunding elecEode co.ductor

_ F GroutldirE €lectrode qdem

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 91612013

Dissipation of Over-Voltages

250.50 Grounding Electrode System

t|trqe oresent, qmundhg elecEod€s

**i*6tou"ix"aorormtte Metal+
f6re
i-^il"0,qi"1".u"0" w*"t
buildirq

Irdud€s decbodes that are an

hheent cdrFonst of tne bulHing Metal
corEtuction (rndalst^r$re, *c) wats !&e
- J,,:.li
Bv .;l*it"d*;t
doe9fDn, qisting cflc€te'
;G, r€wired to be
*J-"tt"i" Aoinq to inrolve di$urting .t##i.;,,
;j
. !',1i.::t;r:r':'
oifirlg structJres cdElete a,:
co*et" f-tittgt
dbuildings
ot
erGafl 1;4
o{hs lkted
ilf{', 1

7 ffi
0&6 m€tal
[*oo.,ob
luoales
l--
7
dtrtlds
?-
Grcurdnng
2Awccopperr )
minimum+\--l
u Rr

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 9t6t20l!3

Grounding Electrodes for Grounding

. Section 250.52(A) includes the details and descriptions of

grounding electrodes that are required to be used for the
grounding electrical systems (when present)

. Section 250.52(8) includes items that are not permitted to

be used as grounding electrodes for electrical systems and
equipment

. Installation provisions for the electrodes described in

250.52(A) are provided in 250.53 titled "Grounding
Electrode System Installation"

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 9t612013

Grounding Electrodes for Grounding

. Section 250.52(4) includes the details and descriptions of

grounding electrodes that are reouired to be used for the
grounding electrical systems (where present) :
(AXl) Metal underground water pipe
(AX2) Metal frame of a building or structure
(A)(3) Concrete-encased electrode
(AX4) Ground ring
(AX5) Rod and pipe electrode
(AX6) Other listed electrodes
=
I
i taltzl/
\^/\, Plate electrodes
; (AX8) other local metal underground systems or
structures

250.52(8) Not Permitted as Grounding Electrodes

Aluminum eiectrodes are

not permitted

Und€rground gas piping h not

pemitted as a g@odrng electrode

Metal Underground Water Pipe Systems

. Section 250.52(AX1) requires metal underground water

piping systems to be used for the grounding electrical
systems (where present)
. Must be in direct contact with the earth for 3.0 m (10 ft) or
more and electrically continuous
. Includes any metal well casing bonded to the pipe
. Can be made electrically continuous by bonding around
insulating joints or insulating pipe

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 9/6/20X3

250.52(AX2) Metat Frameof Buildtns oiSrrffi

l!" ryt $*luitdir4 perr*tted as grourdirE etecfode whse
lf.T"
connected to UE "f
e$fi by me or more of the ldlwintrneB,ods:
(1) At least one structural rnetal nr€mber ttEt is
in direct
@ntact wittr the srth ftr 3.0 m (t0 ft) tr m,with
<- or withogt coocrcte $casement

iZ; fft" noU.ao*n Oots securinq tie srucbrBl stet

column coni€cted to a coircretlencased dedrode +
that mdies witi 2S0.52(AX3) tocat€d in the
gtpport footing or fosdatbn

+ Metal frare of a buildir4

21
 el612013

Clamp suilaH€
fol concaete
s6*ment or
wld
exothermic

<
e Minimum 6.0 m (20 ft)
-

,5O5r(AX3) C*cret€-Encased Electrode

.ffinno ,ronru,,, t{hrn t}Et portrm ol a ffiete foundatiol

;ffi;;;-.t'.*txt wrth the @nh or wthh vcYt'@l
i-t t4 direct cmtact wr$ $e @rth
"i.i.p";L,ttt

22
9/612013

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91612013

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9/6t2013

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 9/6/2013

Supplemental Electrode t250.53(DX2)l

. Underground metal water pipe electrode is required to be

supplemented by an additional grounding electrode
. Any of the electrodes described in 250.52(A)(2) throuqh
(A)(8) are permitted to be used (not limited to just a ground
rod)
. If the supplemental electrodes are of the rod, pipe, or plate
types, these must be supplemented as well or must meet
the 25 ohm rule at 250.53(AX2) Exception

250.53(DX2) Supplemental Electrode Connection

l4etal underqround water pipe b required to be
$pplmted by an additinal electrcde of ttE
type spdfied in 250.52(AX2) thrc4h (AX8)
nt:
t
Supdernsbl grounding electrode s5ll be
bonfu to one of the foilowing: ,t.

Gr@nding eFctrode conductor

Grwnd sie€ntrance @dlctor
Nonffqible gounded *rv;ce Ecilay
Any gmunded seryice endosure
As provided by 250.32(8)

If th€ supderental gounding

dtrtrode is a sirEle rod, pipe, or
date, must be supplffioted d
$,ell or must me€t 25-ohm rule
[2S0.53(AX2) and Excepbon]

26
 91612013

Bonding Jumper(s) for Grounding Electrode

G/ounding eleclrcds ctrrected together with bonding jumpss that are
insta$ed in acco.dame with 250.64(4), (8), and (E)

Individual Grounding Electrode

lndrvidual grdndrng el€ctrode conducttr(s) are pemitted to be run to any
conwnient 9r@ndjr4 elKtrode in the grounding electrode system

o-,^, 6-lg
-{f.
Seryice
equiprent ;;;J^,-- il

,-'l I
Groundrine)-O --

Grounding Electrode Required

. Where the grounding electrodes described in 250.52(4) are

not present, a grounding electrode must be installed
. Where none ofthese grounding electrodes exist, one or
more ofthe grounding electrodes specified in 250.52(A)(4)
through (A)(8) shall be installed and used
. These "made" electrodes can consist of rod, pipe, and plate
electrodes, or other listed electrodes, or local metal
underground systems or structures
See 250.s0 and 2s0.52(A)(4) throuqh (AX8)

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250.52(A) Installed Grcunding Electrodes

Installation of Rod or Pipe Electrodes

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250.58 Common Grounding Electrode

Servlce No. 1r
r**-t !,ktd frarE grouffilng eledrodes o. inEior
m€tal u,Ehr t*r€s aE pern*tt€d for bording
grouftliB d€cbod€s together in indJddd
ard @mmercii{ boildirqF

*to"*. rJ
,-seruice No.4

The sm groundiog ehctod{s) must be used fotr all eruiEs, fe€ders, and
brdnch druiE, Tm or mp electrodes bonded bg€$er are cmsidered ffi
grounding electode sy:tem [250.58]

250,4(AX5) Earth Return Prohibited

Ground fault at sie attempts

to rehjm to source (t ansformer)
thojgh the high-impedame path
throjgh th€ eilth (nd p€mitH)

High-imp€dance p.th

g-B,
Low-inF€dance path

A bw-impedance path ftr dearing

ground fadts is provi@ through
the grounded seryke cordtrtor

250.53(A) Rod, Plpe, and Plate Electrodes

A singh rod, p:pe dplate electode .equired
b be supd€rmnted by an additlmal electode
as specitied in 250.52(AX2) through (AX8)
The supplernental electrode permitted to be
bonded to one of the tollwing:
(1) T}E rcd, pipe tr platedtrde
(2) The grounding decfode coidu€tor
(3) TE gourded *rui:eqtEnc€ srductor
(a) The nontletHe gromd€d service raenay
(5) Any grurnded scruice endo$re

Exccpttd: ll a singfe rcd, pipe, il plate grunding eractrcde has e Bs,3ame

to aadh of 25 ohms or t $, tts supplenenlal electode dEil nol b rcquired

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9t612013
I

Resistance of Rod, Pipe, and Pl.te Electrodes

Supplemental electiodbs

A Cngle rod, pipe or phte electode

r€qu:€d b be suppbn€nted ry an
additimal el€cfode as specifi€d in
250.s2(AX2) thrqjgh (AX8)

tl,o r€gistarr€ measurement r€qdr€d

tu rod, pipe, and pbte dstrcdes
Mirimm afts liEse €lectrod6 hm b€en
6 H apart spdirilented
o.6alow
mnufactus's
? irEtrucuora

a.

Ground Rod Resistance

{--.
ts*-
fr;G > Gmund rod and damp

Maximum Resistance of Grounding Electrodes

. No maximum resistance for a grounding electrode system

. Maximum 25 ohms for single electrodes of the rod, pipe, or
plate types when not supplemented [250.53(AX2), Ex.]

. Rod, pipe, or plate electrode are required to be

supplemented by an additional electrode
. When supplemented, no maximum earth resistance for the
rod, pipe, or plate electrode(s) applies (no 25 ohms rule)

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 9/6t20t3

Two-Point Resistance Measurement Method

Thrce-Point FalFof-Potential Test Method

Ground Resistance Clamp-on Tester

. Digital earth test clamp

. Courtesy of Megger

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 91612013

Soares Book on Grounding and Bonding

Thanks for ParticiPating

Presentation bY:

9 International Association of Electrical Inspectors

3

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