Delpixart/iStock/Thinkstock
Ecmweb 8735 Where Do You Ground
Ecmweb 8735 Where Do You Ground
Ecmweb 8735 Where Do You Ground
Ecmweb 8735 Where Do You Ground
Ecmweb 8735 Where Do You Ground

Where Do You Ground?

Jan. 17, 2017
Article 250 provides the requirements for grounding and bonding.

In the United States, the term “grounding” is often used when the term “bonding” should be used. In essence, grounding means you connect equipment to the ground (dirt) and bonding means you connect equipment via a metallic pathway [Art. 100].

Article 250 provides the requirements for grounding and bonding. If you’re working on the load side as a maintenance electrician in a factory, you can (in most cases) ignore all of Art. 250 except for Part V Bonding. That’s because you don’t ground on the load side, you bond there.

Of course, “ignore the grounding requirements” is not a hard and fast rule for the factory electrician.

For example, your job may entail maintenance of the lightning protection system. Or perhaps you need to work on a separately derived system (SDS); this is a system with no direct connection to conductors originating in another system. Stop and think about transformers for a moment. They fit this definition, don’t they? Yes, except for autotransformers.

What about generators? That can be complicated to sort out; carefully read Sec. 250.30.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EC&M, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Electrical Conduit Comparison Chart

CHAMPION FIBERGLASS electrical conduit is a lightweight, durable option that provides lasting savings when compared to other materials. Compare electrical conduit types including...

Fiberglass Electrical Conduit Chemical Resistance Chart

This information is provided solely as a guide since it is impossible to anticipate all individual site conditions. For specific applications which are not covered in this guide...

Considerations for Direct Burial Conduit

Installation type plays a key role in the type of conduit selected for electrical systems in industrial construction projects. Above ground, below ground, direct buried, encased...

How to Calculate Labor Costs

Most important to accurately estimating labor costs is knowing the approximate hours required for project completion. Learn how to calculate electrical labor cost.