Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Note: The source of the technical material in this volume is the Professional
Engineering Development Program (PEDP) of Engineering Services.
Warning: The material contained in this document was developed for Saudi
Aramco and is intended for the exclusive use of Saudi Aramco’s employees.
Any material contained in this document which is not already in the public
domain may not be copied, reproduced, sold, given, or disclosed to third
parties, or otherwise used in whole, or in part, without the written permission
of the Vice President, Engineering Services, Saudi Aramco.
Section Page
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................ 6
MAJOR COMPONENTS OF A SERVICE ENTRANCE ................................................. 7
Introduction ............................................................................................................... 7
Elements of a Grounding System ............................................................................. 8
Grounding Electrode............................................................................................ 9
Grounded Service Conductor (Neutral) ............................................................. 10
Grounding Electrode Conductor ........................................................................ 10
Neutral Bus........................................................................................................ 10
Equipment Grounding Bus................................................................................. 10
Equipment Grounding Conductors .................................................................... 11
Bonding Jumper and Main Bonding Jumper...................................................... 11
Service Entrance Conductor Components.............................................................. 11
Phase Conductors ............................................................................................. 11
Grounded Conductor (Neutral) .......................................................................... 12
Types of Branch Circuits......................................................................................... 12
Lighting Branch Circuit ...................................................................................... 12
Receptacle Branch Circuit ................................................................................. 12
Power Branch Circuit......................................................................................... 13
Types of Panelboards ............................................................................................. 13
Power Distribution Panelboard .......................................................................... 13
Lighting and Appliance Branch Circuit Panelboard............................................ 13
Main Lugs Only (MLO) Panelboard ................................................................... 14
Main Breaker Panelboard .................................................................................. 14
SIZING LIGHTING, RECEPTACLE, AND POWER BRANCH CIRCUITS.................... 18
Branch Circuit Definitions........................................................................................ 18
General.............................................................................................................. 18
Lighting Branch Circuits..................................................................................... 18
Receptacle Branch Circuits ............................................................................... 20
Power Branch Circuits ....................................................................................... 20
Lighting Branch Circuits .......................................................................................... 20
Color Coding of Conductors .............................................................................. 20
Voltage Limitations ............................................................................................ 21
Receptacle Branch Circuits..................................................................................... 23
Types of Receptacles and Plugs ....................................................................... 23
General Purpose Ratings .................................................................................. 27
Specific Equipment Ratings............................................................................... 28
Color Coding...................................................................................................... 28
Voltage Limitations ............................................................................................ 29
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) ........................................................... 31
Common Neutrals ................................................................................................ 32
Power Branch Circuits ............................................................................................ 33
Word Aid 4E: ANSI/IEEE Standard 142-1991 (IEEE Green Book) ........................ 89
Work Aid 4F: Applicable Procedures ..................................................................... 90
GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................. 92
LIST OF FIGURES
INTRODUCTION
Introduction
Grounding
Electrode
As specified in NEC Articles 250-81 and 250-83, the grounding
electrode is the nearest available effectively grounded structural
member of the building, metal water pipe, or other “made”
electrodes. Figure 3 illustrates several types of grounding
electrodes that are approved by the NEC .
Grounded Service
Conductor
(Neutral)
The NEC defines the grounded conductor as the conductor that
is intentionally grounded. For purposes of this Module, the
grounded conductor is assumed to be solidly grounded. Note:
The grounded conductor will also be called (labeled) the neutral
conductor and the service entrance conductor; all three terms
are used interchangeably throughout the Module.
Grounding
Electrode
Conductor
The grounding electrode conductor is the conductor that is used
to connect the grounded conductor (neutral) to the grounding
electrode. Outside the premises, the grounding electrode
conductor connects the middle wire or neutral point of the
transformer to the grounding electrode.
Neutral Bus
The neutral bus is the common point (connection) inside a
switchboard or panelboard where the grounded conductor
(neutral) is connected to the grounding electrode conductor.
The neutral bus is the terminal origination point for all feeder or
branch circuit neutral conductors (where applicable) are
connected, and it is also the point in a grounded system where
the equipment grounding bus is bonded, by means of the main
bonding jumper, to the grounded conductor at the service
disconnecting location for grounded power systems.
Equipment
Grounding Bus
The equipment grounding bus is the common point (connection)
inside a switchboard or panelboard where all feeder or branch
circuit equipment grounding conductors are connected. It is
also the point where the neutral bus, by means of the main
bonding jumper, is bonded to the equipment grounding bus (see
the above paragraph).
Equipment
Grounding
Conductors
The equipment grounding conductors are the conductors that
are used to connect the non-current-carrying metal parts of
equipment, raceway, panelboards, etc., to the equipment
grounding bus (see the above paragraph) .
Bonding Jumper
and Main Bonding
Jumper
A bonding jumper (or equipment bonding jumper) is a conductor
that serves to permanently join metal parts to form an
electrically conductive path that will ensure electrical continuity.
In addition, the bonding jumper has the capacity to conduct
safely any current that is likely to be imposed, and it will
maintain an equipotential condition on the equipment enclosure
or housing to which it is bonded.
Phase Conductors
Service entrance phase conductors supply the power to the
facilities, and they are sized to carry the loads, as computed
according to NEC Article 220.
Grounded
Conductor
(Neutral)
The service entrance grounded service conductor (neutral), as
previously described, is the conductor that is intentionally
grounded, and it is physically routed with the service entrance
phase conductors. The grounded conductor is sized in
accordance with NEC Article 250-23b.
Lighting Branch
Circuit
For purposes of this Module, a lighting branch circuit is a branch
circuit that supplies power to lighting fixtures. The load for a
lighting branch circuit is computed based on the voltampere
(VA) rating of the lamps, and ballasts if arc discharge type
lamps such as fluorescent lamps are being used.
Receptacle Branch
Circuit
For purposes of this Module, a receptacle branch circuit is a
branch circuit that supplies power to general purpose
receptacles. NEC Article 220-3 requires that the load for
receptacle branch circuits be computed based on 180 VA per
outlet.
Power Branch
Circuit
For purposes of the Module, a power branch circuit is a branch
circuit that supplies power to a specific appliance or other load,
except for lighting, receptacle, motor, or other special purpose
loads. For example, a branch circuit supplying dedicated power
to an office copier machine would be considered a power
branch circuit.
Types of Panelboards
Power Distribution
Panelboard
A power distribution panelboard, which is often incorrectly called
a switchboard, is defined by the NEC as a single panel or a
group of panel units that are designed for assembly in the form
of a single panel. A power distribution panelboard includes
buses and automatic overcurrent devices for the control of light,
heat, or power circuits, and it is designed to be placed in a
cabinet or cutout box placed in or against a wall or partition and
accessible only from the front. All panelboards, not separately
defined as lighting and appliance branch circuit panelboards,
are classified as power distribution panelboards. A switchboard,
although similar to a panelboard, is generally accessible from
the rear as well as from the front, and it is not intended to be
installed in cabinets.
Lighting and
Appliance Branch
Circuit Panelboard
NEC Article 384-14 defines a lighting and appliance branch-
circuit panelboard as a panelboard that has more than 10
percent of its overcurrent devices rated 30 amperes or less, for
which neutral connections are provided. Figure 4 illustrates a
typical lighting and appliance panelboard. Note: Lighting and
appliance panelboards are often just referred to as lighting
panelboards.
Main Breaker
Panelboard
Main breaker panelboards, such as the panelboard that is
shown in Figure 4, are protected by means of main breakers
installed in the same cabinet enclosure as the phase, neutral,
and equipment grounding buses, and the branch circuit
overcurrent devices. Panelboards supplied through a step-
down transformer (Figure 6) or tapped off a feeder conductor
(Figure 7) are required by the NEC to include main breakers for
the protection of the panelboards.
General
NEC Article 100 defines a branch circuit as “the circuit
conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting the
circuit and the outlet(s)”. An outlet is defined by the same article
as “a point on the wiring system at which current is taken to
supply utilization equipment.”
Lighting Branch
Circuits
A lighting branch circuit consists of conductors supplying power
intended for the direct connection of a lighting fixture (luminaire).
Branch circuits for lighting shall have a maximum rating of 20
amperes unless the lighting units have heavy-duty lampholders.
Therefore, branch circuits for fluorescent lighting and for the
smaller wattage, medium base incandescent lamps (up to 300
watts), are restricted to 15 or 20 amperes. Fixed lighting units
with heavy duty lampholders, for example, the larger wattage,
mogul-base incandescent and high intensity discharge (HID)
lamps, such as mercury vapor (MV), metal halide (MH), and
high pressure sodium (HPS) can be connected to circuits rated
up to 50 amperes when installed in commercial or industrial
facilities.
Receptacle Branch
Circuits
NEC Article 100 defines a receptacle as “a contact device
installed at the outlet for the connection of a single attachment
plug.”
Power Branch
Circuits
For purposes of this Information Sheet, power branch circuits
are those branch circuits supplying power to non-general-
purpose receptacle or non-lighting loads. For example, a 30-
ampere branch circuit supplying power to a computer aided
drafting (CAD) machine would be considered as a power branch
circuit if it is hard-wired or plug-connected.
Color Coding of
Conductors
Note: The color coding of conductors applies to all types of
branch circuit conductors, whether they are lighting, receptacle,
or power branch circuits.
Voltage
Limitations
NEC Article 210-6 describes the voltage limitations of lighting
branch circuits.
Answer:
Answer:
1. 120 V:
2. 277 V:
• I = 20000/277 = 72.2 A
Types of
Receptacles and
Plugs
Figure 9a illustrates the NEMA configuration for 125 V, 250 V,
and 277 V single-phase, 2-pole, 3-wire grounded receptacles
and plugs; Figure 9b illustrates the NEMA configuration for
125/250 V and three-phase, 250 V, 3-pole, 4-wire grounded
plugs.
General Purpose
Ratings
The majority of receptacles are installed for general purpose
and the exact loads are more than likely unknown to the design
engineer. In this general purpose case, the NEC specifies a
minimum loading of 180 voltamperes (VA) for each general
purpose receptacle. The 180 VA rating applies to each outlet
regardless of whether it is a single, duplex, triplex, or any
combination of receptacles installed on the individual branch
circuit.
Answer:
Specific
Equipment
Ratings
In general, the minimum load for an outlet installed for a specific
piece of equipment, appliance, or load is determined by the
ampere rating of the piece of equipment, appliance, or load. As
previously discussed, a single receptacle installed on an
individual branch circuit shall have an ampere rating that is not
less than the rating of the branch circuit. In most cases, the
NEC restricts the continuous load served by the branch circuit to
80 percent of the branch circuit’s rating, unless the overcurrent
protective device is listed for continuous operation at 100
percent of its rating.
Color Coding
As mentioned previously under the section “Color Coding of
Conductors”, the branch circuit phase (ungrounded) conductors
may be any color except white, natural gray, or green. The
grounded conductor (neutral) colors are white or natural gray
and the equipment grounding conductor colors are green or
green with yellow stripes.
Voltage
Limitations
Receptacles are commercially available that range from 125 to
277 volts in general purpose-nonlocking types, and that range
from 125 to 600 volts in specific purpose-locking types.
Ground Fault
Circuit Interrupters
(GFCI)
NEC Articles 210-8(b)(1) and 210-8(b)(2) require GFCI
protection for personnel, for all 125-volt, 15 and 20-ampere
receptacles that are installed in bathrooms and rooftops. A
variety of GFCI devices are available. For example, GFCI can
be installed on the branch molded case circuit breaker or as part
of the receptacle.
Common Neutrals
One important advantage over the years of using 3-phase, 4-
wire wye power system configurations is that it permits up to
three circuits (one on phase A, one on phase B, and one on
phase C) to be connected to one common neutral. Under
balanced conditions, the neutral current equals zero, and under
unbalanced conditions, the neutral conductor only carries the
unbalance. Even if one of the circuits is totally disconnected, the
worst case of current flowing in the neutral conductor would be
the phasor sum of the two remaining currents, which still only
equals the magnitude of one of the phase currents; however, in
recent years, harmonic currents (non-sinusoidal currents)
routinely flow in building branch circuits. The most prominent
harmonic current is the third harmonic (f = 180 Hz), which is
caused by non-linear loads, such as arc-discharge light source
electronic ballasts and the electronic circuitry of office copiers,
personal computers, etc. Third harmonic currents, unlike their
60 Hz counterpart currents, do not cancel in the neutral;
instead, they add together. Under many conditions, the current
that flows in the neutral conductor can actually be greater than
the currents that flow in the phase conductors. Therefore, the
NEC, in many different articles, cautions designers to account
for harmonic currents if the electrical equipment is harmonic
producing. As a result of these harmonic currents, many private
industries no longer permit local use of common neutral circuits.
Industry engineers also oversize the neutral conductors to
compensate for third harmonic currents that flow in the power
system.
For the most part, NEC power branch circuit requirements are
the same as for lighting and receptacle branch circuits.
Receptacle and
Other Types
NEC Articles 210-23(a) and (b) cover the requirements for 30,
40, and 50- ampere branch circuits. A 30-ampere branch circuit
is permitted for fixed lighting units, with heavy duty lampholders
for non-dwelling units, or for any utilization equipment. A 40 or
50-ampere branch circuit has the same requirements as the 30-
ampere branch circuits, and they also are permitted to supply
infrared heating units.
Color Coding
and Voltage
Limitations
Color coding and voltage limitations are identical to the color
coding and voltage limitations of lighting and receptacle branch
circuits.
NEC
Requirements for
Branch Circuits
Over 50 Amperes
NEC Article 210-23(d) specifies that branch circuits over 50
amperes only are permitted to supply nonlighting outlet loads.
Loads
NEC Article 220 provides the following requirements for
determining the number of branch circuits as well as for
computing the branch circuit loads:
• The branch circuit rating shall not be less than the non-
continuous load plus 125 percent of the continuous load. If
the assembly, including the overcurrent devices, is listed
for continuous operation at 100 percent of its rating, the
branch circuit rating shall not be less than the total load.
Example D: Using Work Aid 1E, Step 1a, and the following
information, calculate the minimum number of
branch circuits to illuminate a large office area on
a 208Y/120-volt system.
Information:
Answer:
Conductors
Operating Temperature - The maximum continuous current
carrying capability of a conductor is determined by the
temperature at which it is allowed to operate over its lifetime.
The type of insulation surrounding the material ultimately
determines the operating temperature. The NEC temperature
rating classifications are 60ºC, 75ºC, and 90ºC, but SAES-P-104
does not permit use of 60ºC insulation. If the operating
temperature is exceeded for any long period of time, the
insulation ages prematurely, it becomes hard and brittle, which
eventually leads to early failure.
Phase and Neutral conductors are sized based on the load with
conditions, as stated previously in this Information Sheet under
the section “Loads”.
Protection
For purposes of this Information Sheet, all protection (overload
and short circuit) for the branch circuit conductors will be
provided by thermal-magnetic molded case circuit breakers
(MCCBs) and, where required by the NEC for personnel
protection, by GFCI type MCCBs.
MCCBs are a class of breaker that are rated at 600 volts and
below, and they consist of a switching device and an automatic
protective device assembled in an integral housing of insulated
material. Solid-state trip units incorporated into some styles of
MCCBs provide for their coordination with power breakers.
MCCBs are generally sealed to prevent tampering, which in turn
precludes any inspection of the contacts. MCCBs are generally
not designed to be maintained in the field, and manufacturers
recommend total replacement if a defect appears.
Conduit Sizing
(NEC Tables)
The number of conductors permitted in a raceway is restricted
by the NEC. The total cross-sectional area of the conductors,
which includes the insulation, must not exceed a specified
percentage of the wireway or conduit cross-sectional area. The
NEC refers to this restriction as “percentage fill”. Exceeding the
percentage fill can cause physical damage to the conductors as
they are being installed (pulled) through the raceway.
Additionally, the heat buildup in the raceway could be excessive,
resulting in damage to the insulation.
12/01/97
Introduction
Types of Loads
• Feeder circuits
Lighting Branch
Circuits
The load for lighting branch circuits will be computed based on
the voltampere (VA) ratings of the lamps and ballasts (if
applicable).
Receptacle Branch
Circuits
The load for general purpose receptacles will be computed
based on 180 VA per receptacle outlet. Although the NEC
minimum rating is 180 VA per outlet, many design engineers
use a more conservative rating of 240 VA per outlet. Room
layout may dictate another rating for the general purpose
receptacles. For example, dividing the receptacle circuits of
three different rooms into three branch circuits may be a
designers preferred choice, rather than a minimum of only two
branch circuits, which was determined by computation.
Power Branch
Circuits
For purposes of the Module, if the branch circuit supplies a load
other than for lighting or general purpose receptacles, it will be
called a power branch circuit.
Feeder Circuits
Feeder circuit conductors are the conductors that supply
electrical power from the service equipment location (e.g., a
panelboard) to the enclosure (e.g., a sub-panelboard)
containing the final branch circuit overcurrent protective devices.
See Figure 7.
Used as a Service
Entrance
When panelboards are used as service entrance equipment
(see Figure 4), NEC Articles 230-F and G and Underwriter’s
Laboratories (UL), Incorporated require the following:
Phase
Arrangements
The phase arrangements on three-phase buses, is required by
NEC Article 384-3(f) to be A, B, C from front to back, top to
bottom, or left to right as viewed from the front of the
panelboard. Figure 4 illustrates the correct phase arrangement
of a panelboard.
Lighting
Panelboard
NEC Article 384-14 describes a lighting panelboard as a
panelboard that has more than 10 percent of its overcurrent
devices (e.g., MCCBs) that are rated less than or equal to 30
amperes and for which neutral connections are provided. See
Figure 4.
Number of
Overcurrent
Devices
NEC Article 384-15 restricts the number of overcurrent devices
in a panelboard to 42 devices. The same article also requires
that the panelboard be provided with “physical means” to
prevent installation of more overcurrent devices than the
number of devices for which the panelboard was designed,
rated, and approved. For purposes of the NEC, two-pole
(2P) breakers are considered as two (2) overcurrent devices
and three-pole (3P) breakers are considered as three
(3) overcurrent devices.
Ratings
NEC Article 384-13 requires that all panelboards shall have a
rating not less than the minimum feeder capacity required for
the load that is computed in accordance with Article 220.
Panelboards shall be durably marked by the manufacturer with
the voltage and the current rating, the number of phases for
which they are designed, and the manufacturer’s name or
trademark in such a manner as to be visible after installation,
without disturbing the interior parts or wiring.
• Service:
3-Phase, 4-Wire, 208Y/120 V, 120/240 V Delta,
480Y/277 V
1-Phase, 3-Wire, 120/240 V
1-Phase, 2-Wire, 120 V
3-Phase, 3-Wire 120, 208, and 240 V
1-Phase, 2-Wire, 125 vdc
Circuit Directory
NEC Article 384-13 further requires that all panelboard circuits
and circuit modifications shall be legibly identified as to purpose
or use and that this identification be located on a circuit directory
on the face or inside of the panel doors.
Load
Panelboard continuous current ampere ratings are based on the
load that is computed in accordance with NEC Article 220. The
first consideration in computing the load is to determine whether
the loads are continuous or non-continuous loads.
Protection
Protection for, or in a panelboard, must consider the following
factors:
If the main breaker and the branch circuit breakers have not
been listed and approved as a series combination, the short
circuit rating of the panelboard is that of the lowest interrupting
rating of the main or branch circuit breakers. For example, if in
Figure 16a, CB1, CB2, ..., CB16 have not been series-tested
with MB1, panelboard LPA’s short circuit rating is 22 kA. On the
other hand, if in Figure 16b, CB1, CB2, …, CB16 have been
series-tested, approved, and listed, panelboard LPB’s short
circuit rating is 65 kA.
Miscellaneous
Factors
Phase Balance - The total load on the panelboard should be
balanced, as much as possible, between all three phases (A, B,
C); many design engineers try to keep the unbalance within +
10 percent. The neutral conductor will carry any unbalanced
current and maintain the line-to-neutral voltage magnitude
across each phase; however, if the neutral conductor is
disconnected or broken, the loads would have voltages
significantly different than the nominal line-to-neutral voltages.
• Frequencies above 60 Hz
Number of
Services
Permitted
NEC Article 230-2 permits only 1 set of service conductors per
building or structure. The same article lists seven exceptions to
the general rule, but, if multiple services are installed, a
permanent plaque or directory must be installed at each of the
different services denoting all of the other services in the
building.
Insulation
Service entrance conductors entering or on the exterior of
buildings are required by NEC Article 230-41 to be insulated
conductors.
Physical
Protection
Service entrance conductors are required to be physically
protected from damage. There are many different approved
methods for protecting service entrance conductors. One
approved method, which is the method that is required at Saudi
Aramco, is to use rigid steel conduit.
Termination at
Service Equipment
NEC Article 230-55 requires that any service raceway terminate
at the inner end in a box, cabinet, or equivalent fitting that
effectively encloses all energized metal parts. Saudi Aramco
standards require that the service conductors terminate at
approved and listed (e.g., UL) panelboards.
Disconnecting
Means
NEC Article 230-70 requires that means shall be provided to
disconnect all conductors in a building or structure from the
service entrance conductors. The same article further requires
that the disconnect shall be readily accessible, and that it shall
be permanently marked to identify it as a service disconnecting
means.
Overcurrent
Protection
Overloads and Phase Faults - NEC Article 230-90 requires
that each ungrounded conductor (the phase conductors) be
protected by an overcurrent device (e.g., MCCB) having a rating
or setting not higher than the allowable ampacity of the
conductor.
Grounded
Conductors
The grounded conductor (neutral) is sized based on the size of
the grounding electrode conductor in accordance with Article
250-23(b) and Table 250-94 of the NEC. Table 250-94
specifies that the size of the grounding electrode conductor and,
by inference, the grounded conductor, is based on the size of
the largest service entrance conductors.
Introduction
• Water piping
Water Piping
NEC Article 250-81(a) requires that a metal underground water
pipe that is in direct contact with the earth for 10 feet (3.05 m) or
more, and that is electrically continuous, shall be used as part of
the building grounding electrode system; however, if the water
piping system is used as a grounding electrode, it must be
supplemented by at least one other type of an approved
electrode. Note: SAES-P-111 does not permit the water piping
system to be used as a grounding electrode.
Structural Steel
Building Frame
NEC Article 250-81(b) requires that the structural steel (metal)
frame of the building (Figure 23), if effectively grounded, be
used as part of the building’s grounding electrode system.
Effectively grounded means intentionally connected to earth
through a ground connection or connections of sufficiently low
impedance, and having sufficient current-carrying capacity to
prevent the buildup of voltages that may result in undue hazard
to connected equipment or to persons. Note: SAES-P-111
(Section 7.1.1) permits building steel to be used as a grounding
electrode, provided that it is continuous and it is effectively
grounded.
Concrete-Encased
Electrodes
Rod or wire electrodes, encased in concrete, usually results in
lower resistance grounding electrodes than when similar
electrodes are placed directly in the earth. NEC Article 250-
81(c) permits the use of concrete-encased electrodes. One
acceptable concrete-encased electrode method, which is widely
used in industry, is the use of steel reinforcing bars (rebar) in
concrete footings and foundations (Figure 24). It is only
necessary to bring out an electrical connection from the rebar of
each footing for attachment to the building ground bus or
structural steel. Note: SAES-P-111 (Section 7.1.2) specifies
that if a concrete-encased electrode is used, the conductor must
be bare copper.
Ground Ring
(Peripheral)
A peripheral ground system (Figure 25) generally consists of a
bare, tinned copper conductor, that connects a series of ground
rods buried around a structure, is another NEC-approved
(Article 250-81(d)) “made” grounding electrode system. The
peripheral ground conductor buried around the structure must
be at least 30 inches deep, and it must consist of at least 20 feet
of bare copper conductor not less than AWG No. 2. The ground
rods should be bonded to the conductor by thermal welding, and
a pigtail should be extended into the building for connection to
the main ground bus. Note: SAES-P-111 (Section 7.1.3)
permits ground ring electrodes.
Buried Plate
Electrodes
In locations where the soil is extremely shallow, a horizontal
plate (Figure 32) may be used as a grounding electrode. A
horizontal plate represents a greater contact area to the soil in a
given volume than does a rod. Each plate is required by NEC
Article 250-83(d) to expose 2 ft2 or more of surface area to the
soil. By comparison, a 3/4-inch, 10-foot ground rod has only
2 2
1.96 ft of lateral surface area compared to the area (2.83 ft ) of
a 1/4-inch, 1-foot-square iron or steel plate. Note: Saudi
Aramco uses buried plate electrodes as primary ground
sources.
Answer:
1. A (cylinder) = 2πrh
= 2π (0.75/2)(10 x 12)
2 2
= 282.74 in = 1.96 ft
2. Area (plate) = (2 x l x w) + (4 x l x w)
= (2 x 1 x 1) + (4 x 1 x 0.25/12)
= 2.083 ft2
Routing
The grounded service conductor (neutral) is required by NEC
Article 250-23(b) to be routed with the phase conductors to the
service disconnecting means. The same article also requires
that the neutral be bonded to the disconnecting means
enclosure. In practice, this bonding is typically accomplished by
routing the neutral conductor to the neutral bus and connecting
the neutral bus to the equipment grounding bus by either a main
bonding jumper (Figure 2) or a screw.
Sizing
The grounded conductor (neutral) is sized in exactly the same
way as the grounding electrode conductor, which is sized based
on the size of the service entrance phase conductors, as
specified in NEC Table 250-94. If the size of the service
entrance phase conductors is larger than 1100 kcmil, the
grounded (neutral) conductor must be sized at least 12.5% of
the size of the largest service entrance conductor. When the
service entrance phase conductors are paralleled, the size of
the grounded (neutral) conductor shall be based on the
equivalent area for phase conductors.
Outside Premises
Location
The grounding electrode conductor must be connected to the
grounded service conductor at any accessible point, from the
load end of the service drop or service lateral, to and including
the terminal or bus to which the grounded service conductor is
connected at the service disconnecting means. See Figures 1
and 2. Where the transformer supplying the service is located
outside the building, as shown in Figure 1, at least one
additional grounding connection shall be made from the
grounded service conductor to a grounding electrode, either at
the transformer or elsewhere outside the building. A grounding
connection shall not be made to any grounded circuit conductor
on the load side of the service disconnecting means.
Panelboard
Connection
The grounding electrode conductor is normally connected
(terminated) directly at the neutral bus (Figure 33a); however, if
the main bonding jumper that is specified in NEC Articles 250-
53(b) and 250-79 is a wire or busbar, and it is installed from the
neutral bar or bus to the equipment grounding terminal bar or
bus in the service equipment, the grounding electrode conductor
is permitted to be connected to the equipment grounding
terminal bar or bus to which the main bonding jumper is
connected (Figure 33b) .
Requirements
Based on Size of
Service Entrance
Conductors
The size of the grounding electrode conductor (GEC), as
specified by NEC Article 250-94 and Table 250-94, is based on
the size of the service entrance conductors. The same article
permits the following exceptions to the basic rule.
Neutral Bus
Unless otherwise specified, panelboard vendors full-size the
insulated neutral bus to be the same size (ampacity rating) as
the phase bus.
Ground Bus
An equipment grounding bus is included as a normal component
of all panelboards.
Bonding Jumper
Sizes
As stated previously, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the
neutral bus must be bonded to the equipment grounding bus.
Where a main bonding jumper is used in lieu of a screw, the
main bonding jumper, per NEC Table 250-94, must be sized
(ampacity rating) the same as the grounding electrode
conductor.
1. Section 5.3 specifies that steady state voltage drops shall be as follows :
2. Section 7.2 specifies that the following criteria (Figure 35) shall be used to
establish equipment derating when specific requirements are not covered
in an SAES or SAMSS.
1. Section 4.1 specifies that design and installation of wiring and cable
systems shall be in accordance with NFPA 70 (National Electric Code -
NEC), as supplemented by this Standard.
2. Section 4.2.1 specifies that wire and cable shall have copper conductors.
3. Section 4.2.2 specifies that low voltage wire and cable (600 V or 600/1000
V and below) shall have a minimum rating of 75ºC.
5. Section 4.2.10 specifies that for 600 V and below power conductors, the
minimum size conductor permitted is 2.5 mm2 (No. 14 AWG).
6. Section 4.3.1 specifies that direct buried conduit shall be threaded, rigid
steel, hot-dip galvanized, and PVC-coated, or type DB PVC conduit.
8. Section 4.3.4 specifies that the minimum conduit size shall be 3/4-inch,
except on instrument panels, inside buildings, and on prefabricated skids,
where the minimum size conduit shall be 1/2-inch.
10. Section 8.2.2 specifies that a feeder cable serving a load bus shall be
sized in accordance with the NEC plus a 20% growth factor, but not to
exceed the maximum rating of the bus.
11. Section 8.2.5 specifies that a derating factor of 15% shall be applied to
cables that require fireproofing.
1. Section 4.1 specifies that, except as noted in 4.2, grounding and ground
system installation shall be designed in accordance with ANSI/IEEE 142
and meet the requirements of ANSI/NFPA 70 (NEC), and ANSI C2, as
supplemented or amended by this Standard. Section 4.1.1 specifies that
all grounding (system and equipment) shall be in accordance with
NFPA 70 (NEC), as supplemented by this Standard.
4. Section 5.3 specifies that ground rods or pipe electrodes shall be copper
or copper-jacketed steel ("Copperweld" or equivalent). Copper jacketed
steel rods shall meet the requirements of U.L. 467.
7. Section 7.1.1 specifies that reinforcing bar of buildings shall not be used
as a grounding electrode. Structural steel of a building may be used as a
grounding electrode in accordance with the NEC provided it is continuous
and effectively grounded by connecting at least every other structural steel
9. Section 7.1.3 specifies that a ground grid and/or ground rods used as the
ground electrode for system grounding shall consist of either (1) rod or
pipe electrode(s), or (2) a grid or loop of bare copper conductors buried a
minimum of 460 mm. Suitable combinations of (1) and (2) are permitted.
Multiple rod or pipe electrodes shall be interconnected by bare or
insulated copper conductors using thermite welding or approved
connectors per 5.6. Conductors used to interconnect rod or pipe
electrodes shall be buried a minimum of 460 mm.
(4) The following equipment when not bolted to grounded structural steel
shall be connected to a supplementary grounding electrode: Metallic
enclosures for panelboards, circuit breakers, switches, fuses, motor
controllers, switchgear, switchracks, motor control centers, and motors
11. Section 7.2 specifies that system grounding connections shall be made
directly to the grounding electrode and be separate from equipment
grounding connections.
12. Section 9.1 specifies that, except as otherwise noted below, conduit, cable
tray, or cable armor, shall not be relied on as the equipment grounding
conductor and a bare or insulated copper conductor shall be installed in
the same conduit, cable tray, cable, or cord or shall otherwise accompany
the power conductors. In hazardous locations equipment grounding
conductors run in conduit or cable tray shall be insulated or enclosed
within the jacket of a multi-conductor cable. Exception: Conduit or cable
armor may be used in accordance with the NEC for grounding electronic
instrumentation operating at 24 V DC nominal or below.
13. Section 9.1 specifies that metallic conduit shall be grounded at both end
points. Conduit grounding may be accomplished (1) externally with
approved grounding clamps and conductors or (2) through a grounded
enclosure having integral threaded bushings or using a conduitt hub (such
as a Myers hub) which is approved for grounding purposes or (3) through
an approved grounding bushing. Grounding with locknuts is not
acceptable.
14. Section 9.1 specifies that metallic cable trays shall be bonded at both end
points and a minimum of every 25 meters to the local ground grid or
ground electrode or to structural steel which is bonded to the local ground
grid or ground electrode.
Work Aid 1D: National Electric Code (NEC) Handbook Articles 210
and 220
Step 1. Determine the load current. Note: Step 1a applies to lighting branch
circuits, Step 1b applies to general purpose receptacle branch circuits,
and Step 1c applies to power branch circuits. Steps 2 through 8 apply to
all 3 types of branch circuits.
• where NBC equals the total number of branch circuits and TNL
equals the total number of luminaires.
• where NBC equals the total number of branch circuits and TNR
equals the total number of receptacles.
(4) Ic = IR NR
(2) Ic = Iφ or IL
Step 2. Initially select a 75ºC or 90ºC conductor from NEC Table 310-16 (Handout
1, page 230), based on the initial conductor ampacity (Ic) that is calculated
in Step 1 (1A, 1B, or 1C).
(b) Ambient temperature: Select the correction factor from NEC Table
310-16 (Handout 1, page 230).
• Size - AWG or kcmil Note: See Figure 36 for the nearest metric
equivalent size conductor.
CONDUCTOR SIZES
AWG AWG
or or
kcmil* mm2 kcmil* mm2
14 2.5 2/0 70
12 4 4/0 120
10 6 250* 120
8 10 350* 185
6 16 500* 240
4 25 750* 400
2 35 1000* 500
1/0 50
Step 5. Calculate the conductor voltage drop. Note: For purposes of this Module,
assume that the total load current is at the farthest end of the branch
circuit.
-1
a. Calculate the load reactive factor (sin θ). sin θ = sin (cos p.f.)
b. Determine feeder impedance (ZΩ) per 1000 feet from NEC Table 9
(Handout 1, page 886) .
e. Calculate VD line-to-line.
f. Calculate VD(%)
• VL = VS - VD
Step 7. Select the size of the equipment grounding conductor from NEC Table
250-95 (Handout 1, page 184) based on the size of the selected protective
device from Step 6.
a. For type and number of conductors all of the same size, select the
conduit (raceway) size from Appendix C, Tables C1 through C12 of
the NEC (Handout 1, pages 930 through 965). Note: The term
“conductors” includes the phase conductors, the neutral conductor,
and the equipment grounding conductor.
(1) Using Table 5 of the NEC (Handout 1, pages 880 through 884),
compute the total cross-sectional area of the individual
conductors.
For the content of Work Aid 2A, refer to Work Aid 1A.
For the content of Work Aid 2B, refer to Work Aid 1B.
For the content of Work Aid 2C, refer to Work Aid 1C.
• IL = 1.20 ILT
Step 5. Select the next standard fully-rated panelboard, with main circuit breaker
protection and full-size neutral from Figure 37, based on the total load
current (IL), service voltage (208Y/120 or 480Y/277), and short circuit
symmetrical current available. Note: Selection of the total number of
panelboard spaces, and the individual single-pole (1P), two-pole (2P), and
three-pole (3P) branch circuit breakers is beyond the scope (time limits) of
this Module.
For the content of Work Aid 3A, refer to Work Aid 1A.
For the content of Work Aid 3B, refer to Work Aid 1B.
For the content of Work Aid 3C, refer to Work Aid 1C.
Work Aid 3D: 1996 NEC Handbook Articles 230 and 240
Step 1. Assume that the ampacity of the conductors (IL) is equal to the rating of
the panelboard selected in Step 5 of Work Aid 2.
• IL = _________ amperes
Step 2. Initially select a 75ºC or 90ºC conductor from NEC Table 310-16
(Handout 1, page 230). Note: Consider use of parallel conductors for
required conductor sizes 500 kcmil and larger.
• Size - AWG or kcmil Note: See Figure 36 of Work Aid 1E for the
nearest metric equivalent size conductor.
• Material - Copper (Cu)
• Insulation Type - e.g., 75 ºC THWN, 90 ºC THHN, etc.
• Number of Conductors - e.g., 4/c, 8/c, etc. Note: Assume that
there is a full-sized neutral conductor.
Step 5. Calculate the load reactive factor (sin θ). sin θ = sin (cos-1 p.f.)
Step 6. Determine service entrance conductor impedance (ZΩ) per 1000 feet from
NEC Table 9 (Handout 1, page 886).
• VD = 3 VD (3φ system)
Step 10. Calculate the load voltage (VL)
• VL = VS - VD
Step 12. If VD% exceeds 2 percent, increase the conductor to the next standard size
and repeat Steps 6 through 12.
For the content of Work Aid 4A, refer to Work Aid 1A.
For the content of Work Aid 4B, refer to Work Aid 1B.
For the content of Work Aid 4C, refer to Work Aid 1C.
Paragraph 2.7.4.5 of the IEEE states that use of phase overcurrent devices to detect
and clear ground faults is not ideal. The same paragraph recommends that ground
faults be detected in one of three methods: (1) ground return [Figure 38(a)], (2) zero
sequence [Figure 38(b)], or (3) differential current [Figure 38(c)]. Note: SAES-P-114
specifies ground fault detection that uses the zero- sequence method [(Figure 38(b)].
Step 1. Determine the size of the ungrounded (phase) and grounded (neutral)
service entrance conductors from Step 4 of Work Aid 3E.
Step 2. Size the grounding electrode conductor in accordance with NEC Article
250-94 (Handout 1, page 180) and NEC Table 250-94 (Handout 1, page
181), which is based on the size of the service entrance conductors as
listed in Step 1 above.
Step 3. Size the required bonding jumpers in accordance with NEC Article 250-79
(Handout 1, page 173) and Table 250-94 (Handout 1, page 181), which is
based on the size of the service entrance conductors that are selected in
Step 1 above.
GLOSSARY
branch circuit The circuit conductors that are between the final
overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the
outlet(s).
system.
PVC Polyvinylchloride
service conductors The supply conductors that extend from the street
main or from transformers to the service equipment of
the premises supplied.