Mike Holt Enterprises Electrical News Source

Where is the ground?

I wanted to pass along to you a report written by James A. Montross, called Where is the Ground? He presents a case study where past and current code editions are in conflict with each other. I hope you find it has value.

With each code cycle, the code evolves in response to events, practices, and developing technologies. In the discussion herein, I present a case study where past and current code editions are in conflict with each other. Supporting the case study are discussions of code and history that help to shine a light on the potential problems between code editions. What you will learn: some National Electric Code history, history of power generation, grounding fundamentals, and a solid approach to code review for modernizations of vintage buildings.

Special thanks to Mike Holt for his invaluable contribution to this paper.

To better understand the relationship between grounding and the effective ground-fault current path, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/mpgAVE4UwFw.

James A. Montross, PE, CEM, LEED AP BD+C
jmontross@thorntontomasetti.com

Click here or on the image to read or download the full PDF (8 pages).

Comments

  • Hi Mike, I've recently enjoyed viewing many of your videos on Grounding and Bonding. I like your suggestion to replace "Equipment Grounding Conductor to Equipment Bonding Conductor. BUT since almost all "Effective Ground Fault Curren Paths" are almost always on some parts of electrical equipment; wouldn't the two terms "Effective EQUIPMENT Fault Current Path" and "Equipment FAULT Conductor" be names that closer describes there functions. And ofcourse just like parts of electrical equipment without any form of the term ground in there names are already understood required to be grounded; why can't that apply to my above suggestion?

    Ralph Greene  April 29 2019, 4:56 pm EDT
    Reply to this comment

    • Reply from: Mike Holt   April 29 2019, 5:27 pm EDT
    I like it!
    Reply to Mike Holt

  • Mike, thank you for sharing this and the link to your ground fault current presentation. We all need a solid understanding of what is a safe electrical system and why/how the code has evolved.

    Greg Stodd  April 25 2019, 2:29 pm EDT
    Reply to this comment

  • This is a very interesting view of the evolution of the need of the NEC and why it's needed. And the history of the first Hydro Electric generation facility. Well Done

    James Tepper  April 25 2019, 2:43 am EDT
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