The Leading Electrical Brand in China
The Leading Electrical Brand in China
Protect your busbar system and ensure personnel safety with proper grounding techniques. This comprehensive guide from GRL covers busbar grounding methods, standards and best practices.
Contact GRL today for expert help on busbar system grounding for your specific application. Take advantage of our decades of experience in electrical safety and switchgear reliability.
Proper grounding of busbar systems is critical for safety. Key standards include:
IEC 61439 – Low voltage switchgear standard covers grounding requirements.
IEEE 142 – Recommended practice for grounding in industrial and commercial facilities.
UL 857 – Safety standard for busways rated 600V and below.
CSA C22.2 No. 27 – Canadian safety standard for busbar enclosures.
BS EN 60439-1 – British standard for low voltage switchgear assemblies.
AS/NZS 3439 – Australian/New Zealand standard for low voltage switchboards.
Follow these best practices when grounding your busbar system:
GRL provides a range of products to facilitate proper and safe busbar system grounding:
Q: Where should the ground bar be located in a busbar system?
A: Mount the ground bar inside the busbar enclosure for protection. Place it in an accessible location for ease of inspection and maintenance.
Q: How do I determine the right ground wire size?
A: Size it to safely carry the maximum ground fault current based on the overcurrent protection rating. Refer to codes like IEEE 142 for sizing details.
Q: Can I use the equipment ground conductor as the ground bar connection?
A: No, use a dedicated grounding conductor from the ground bar to the main facility ground. Do not combine with equipment ground.
Q: What is the ideal resistance for busbar grounding?
A:Aim for a ground resistance below 1 Ohm. The lower the better, with under 0.5 Ohms being optimal.
Q: Should I use copper or aluminum for the ground bar?
A: Copper is better for corrosion resistance and conductivity. Use tin-plated copper for very humid environments. Aluminum is acceptable if sized properly.
Q: Can I bolt busbar supports directly to the enclosure for grounding?
A: Yes, securely bolting components to a grounded enclosure qualifies as an effective grounding method.
Q: Do I need redundant ground connections?
A: It is recommended to have two ground cables between the busbar and facility ground grid for redundancy.
Q: How often should I check busbar ground connections?
A: Annually at minimum, inspect connections for oxidization and retighten. Check more frequently if vibration is present.
60mm/100mm/185mm/terminal distribution Busbar System
Fuse type disconnect switch
Different kinds of Knife switch
Fuse & Fuse holders