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Hi Fahad,
Thank you for your question regarding computer room grounding, it is our pleasure to help.
There are often many questions regarding the various grounding and bonding systems found within a computer data center, and this mostly has to do with the difference between the low-impedance ground fault path required by the National Electrical Code (NEC), and the grounding systems required by computer manufacturers. Remember that the grounding systems required by the NEC are only to ensure that Over Current Protection Devices (OCPD) such as circuit breakers and fuses will function properly. These systems require that a low-impedance ground fault path exists so as to enable a massive flow of current to temporarily pass through the OCPD, tripping the breaker and/or blowing the fuse. This grounding system is not designed to eliminate transient currents, stray voltages, or to reduce differences in potential that could harm sensitive electronic equipment. Continue reading
Hi Benjamin,
Thank you for your questions regarding lightning protection and grounding resistances, it is our pleasure to help.
There are two (2) classes of material requirements found in NFPA 780, the Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems. Class I materials are required for structure less than 75-ft in height, and Class II Materials are required for buildings greater than 75-ft in height. The down conductor is properly listed in the standard as a “Main Conductor Cable”. Continue reading
Hi Shams,
Thanks you for your question regarding earthing electrode calculations, it is our pleasure to help.
The following link will give you the simplified calculation for predicting the resistance-to-ground of an electrode: Continue reading
Hi Eduardo,
Thank you for your question regarding deep ground wells, it is our pleasure to help.
Yes, it is quite possible to calculate the predicted resistance-to-ground of an electrode prior to installing it. The following link will show you the simplified formula: Continue reading
Hi Max,
Thank you for your question regarding Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) protection for personnel and refrigerator receptacle outlets, it is our pleasure to help.
Refrigerators, surge-protection devices, electric motors, and many other devices have reported problems of excessively tripping the GFCI breaker when these items are in normal use. It doesn’t take much of an imagination to understand the frustration of a home owner when they come home to find all the food in their refrigerator spoiled because of a GFCI tripping during normal operation. However, modern refrigerators do not typically have this problem. In fact, if you have a refrigerator built in the last 20 years or so, if it does trip the GFCI, it is probably more likely that there is a problem with the refrigerator than with the GFCI circuit. Continue reading
Hi Sherry,
Thank you for your question regarding ground rings and required distances, it is our pleasure to help.
You are correct that the 2011 National Electrical Code (NEC) does not have a required distance that a ground ring must be placed from a building. Currently, ground rings are only required to be in direct contact with the earth for at least 20 feet and be at least 2 AWG bare copper or larger (NEC Article 250.52(A)(4)), and must be buried at least 30 inches below grade (NEC Article 250.53(F)). Continue reading
Hi Hugo, Ben, Bhimesh,
Thank you for your question regarding Ground Potential Rise (GPR) on a data center, it is our pleasure to help.
Data Center’s are big energy consumers, and as such they often have substations and generators located nearby. The Ground Potential Rise that can form during the normal operation of these systems, and which will get dramatically worse should one of them fault, is certainly something to be concerned about. The GPR is used to determine various engineering factors, the most important of which are the Step & Touch Voltage hazard. These voltages can cause serious injury or even death to personnel and can destroy equipment. Continue reading
Hi Davut,
Thank you for your question regarding building grounding with seismic isolators, it is our pleasure to help.
When you have a building constructed with a seismic base, your foundation should be considered to be isolated. This would fall in to the same category of building as one that has a vapor barrier between the concrete foundation and the earth. In these cases, you may not use building steel as a grounding electrode. Continue reading
Hi John,
Thank you for your question regarding the sphere of influence for a ground plate, it is our pleasure to help.
Yes, the sphere of influence of a ground plate is very easy to calculate. Take the diagonal distance of the plate, and that is your length and then apply it to the standard formula. Here is a link to that formula:
http://www.esgroundingsolutions.com/about-electrical-grounding/grounding-electrode-sphere-of-influence.php Continue reading
Hi Joanie,
Please be advised that you need to contact a Certified Electrician ASAP!
Thank you for your question regarding your generator and furnace, it is our pleasure to help.
Yes, your generator must be grounded; it is required under the National Electrical Code (NEC) even for temporary setups. Continue reading
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