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Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems

Timothy L. O'Hearn, PE


Course Outline

This 12-hour course provides for the study of recommended practices for grounding of electrical systems and the several methods and criteria that exist for power system grounding.  The course is intended to (1) assist the engineer in making decisions on the subject of system grounding by presenting the basic reasons behind the decision for grounding or not grounding and by reviewing general practices and methods used; (2) provide the basic objectives, fundamental concepts, and current practices for equipment grounding; (3) cover static electricity, its generation, methods of safeguarding, and lightning-protection grounding; (4) the earth connection and its design; and (5) electronic equipment grounding.

The course materials are based entirely on the “IEEE Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems”, IEEE Std. 142-2007.  It will be necessary for the student to obtain a copy of or have access to a copy of IEEE Std. 142-2007 “IEEE Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems”.  This standard is a very useful resource and is recommended that all practicing electrical engineers involved in power system engineering and design should be familiar with and utilize this standard.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

Intended Audience

The intended audience is professional electrical engineers, project managers, and project engineers, involved in the analysis, engineering, and design of industrial and commercial power systems.

Benefit to Attendees

The course material provides a better understanding of the recommended practices and methods involved in the grounding of industrial and commercial power systems.  The course material can be used as a reference source during the detail design of electrical power distribution at industrial and commercial facilities.

Course Introduction

This course provides for the study of recommended practices for grounding of electrical systems and the several methods and criteria that exist for power system grounding.  The course is intended to (1) assist the engineer in making decisions on the subject of system grounding by presenting the basic reasons behind the decision for grounding or not grounding and by reviewing general practices and methods used; (2) provide the basic objectives, fundamental concepts, and current practices for equipment grounding; (3) cover static electricity, its generation, methods of safeguarding, and lightning-protection grounding; (4) the earth connection and its design; and (5) sensitive electronic equipment grounding.

The course materials are based entirely on the “IEEE Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems”, IEEE Std. 142-2007.  It will be necessary for the student to obtain a copy of or have access to a copy of IEEE Std. 142-2007 “IEEE Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems”.  This standard is a very useful resource and is recommended that all practicing electrical engineers involved in power system engineering and design should be familiar with and utilize this standard.

Course Content

The course materials are based entirely on the “IEEE Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems”, IEEE Std. 142-2007.  It will be necessary for the student to obtain a copy of or have access to a copy of IEEE Std. 142-2007 “IEEE Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems”.  The recommended practice, commonly known as the “IEEE Green Book” is intended as a practical guide for engineers and designers that are responsible for the design of grounding systems in industrial and commercial facilities.

The IEEE Green Book is a useful reference tool that every practicing electrical engineering should have access to.

The “IEEE Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems”, IEEE Std. 142-2007 can be purchased from the following websites:

http://shop.ieee.com/
http://www.global.ihs.com/

IEEE Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems

IEEE Std. 142-1991

 

Table of Contents 

Chapter 1 – System Grounding
Chapter 2 – Equipment Grounding
Chapter 3 – Static and Lightning Protection Grounding
Chapter 4 – Connection to Earth
Chapter 5 – Electronic Equipment Grounding

Course Summary

The course materials are based entirely on selected chapters within the “IEEE Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems”, IEEE Std. 142-2007.  It will be necessary for the student to obtain a copy of or have access to a copy of IEEE Std. 142-2007 “IEEE Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems”.  This standard is a very useful resource and is recommended that all practicing electrical engineers involved in power system engineering and design should be familiar with and utilize this standard.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:

http://www.ansi.com/
http://www.ieee.com/
http://www.nfpa.com
http://www.nema.com


Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

Take a Quiz


DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.