ABSTRACT
The attention given to the design and installation of a facility ground system is a key element in the day-today reliability of the plant. A well-designed and -installed ground network is invisible to the engineering staff. A marginal ground system, however, will cause problems on a regular basis. Grounding schemes can range from simple to complex, but any system serves three primary purposes:
• Provides for operator safety • Protects electronic equipment from damage caused by transient disturbances • Diverts stray radio frequency energy from sensitive audio, video, control, and computer equipment
Most engineers view grounding mainly as a method to protect equipment from damage or malfunction. However, the most important element is operator safety. The 120 or 208 Vac line current that powers most equipment can be dangerous — even deadly — if handled improperly. Grounding of equipment and structures provides protection against wiring errors or faults that could endanger human life.
