Name: Nagum, Carl Joseph, B.

Date: April 19, 2021

Course/Section: TE1-PSE2-EE32S1 Assignment 4.1 Instructor: Engr. Ladero

Discuss in full details the grounding and bonding concept and general requirements, refer to Philippine Electrical Code 2017
Article 2.50.

Grounding and Bonding are concepts that are completely different in the application of the electrical system.
Grounding is defined to be the connection to the Earth's ground used to provide a safe path for faulted current, whereas
bonding is the mechanical connection between electrically conductive components that ensures the continuity of electric flow.
While the grounding and bonding systems overlap, the section of the electrical system that must bring fault current to the
source must be more reliable and capable of handling large quantities of current (usually rated at thousand Amperes), which
is called the effective ground-fault current path. It is discussed that the faulted current takes the lowest impedance path of the
system. Therefore, an effective ground-fault current path must be designed in a low-impedance fault current path to the source
so that the faulted current can flow rapidly enough to activate or trip the overcurrent protective device placed in the system.
The main necessity of the grounding and bonding concept is for personnel safety, equipment protection under faulted
conditions, and noise control.

Based from Philippine Electrical Code (PEC) of 2017, Article 2.50.1.4, entitled General Requirements for Grounding
and Bonding. The article states the following general requirements identify what grounding and bonding of electrical systems
are required to accomplish. The methods listed below shall be attained accordingly to comply with the performance
requirements stated in the section.

A.) Grounded Systems – it is the process of establishing a connection from one system to ground. This system is
used for the protection against electrical overload, stabilizes voltage levels, and prevents damage, injury and death
for the worst-case possible scenario.

1.) Electrical System Grounding – it is stated that electrical systems should be grounded and connected to Earth’s
ground wherein they should and must limit the voltage imposed by lightning, line surges, or unintentional contact with higher-
voltage lines and that will stabilize the voltage to Earth during normal operation. To put it simply, the grounding must be able
to handle large surges incurred by the system to ensure its safety and reliability.

2.) Grounding of Electrical Equipment – stated by PEC that non-current carrying conductive materials enclosing
electrical conductors or equipment, or forming part of such equipment, shall be connected to Earth, to limit the voltage to
ground on these materials. It is used for the safety of different equipment against overload conditions that can result in
overheating and premature failure of equipment.

3.) Bonding of Electrical Equipment – stated by PEC that non-current carrying conductive materials enclosing
electrical conductors or equipment, or forming part of such equipment shall be connected together and to the electrical supply
source in a manner that establishes an effective-ground-fault current path. As mentioned above, an effective ground-fault
current path must be designed in a low-impedance fault current path to the source so that the faulted current can flow rapidly
enough to activate or trip the overcurrent protective device placed in the system to avoid the worst-case scenario.

4.) Bonding of Electrically Conductive Materials and Other Equipment – states that electrically conductive materials
that are likely to become energized shall be connected together and to the electrical supply source in a manner that establishes
an effective ground-fault current path. Aside from electrical equipment which is usually large motors, it is also necessary to
provide an effective ground-fault current path to the materials that have great conductivity, such as electric wires which are
made from either copper, aluminum, or copper-plated aluminum because, technically speaking, it is still part of the electrical
system.

5.) Effective Ground-Fault Current Path – it is constructed as a low-impedance electrically conductive path which
intends to carry current under ground-fault conditions from the point of a ground fault on a wiring system to the electrical
supply source. The importance of having an effective ground-fault current path is to provide a safe path of faulted current and
to trigger the protection devices or ground-fault detectors of the system for the safety of personnel, equipment, and to negate
unfortunate events.

B.) Ungrounded Systems – is typically used for infrastructures that cannot managed without a power whether it is a
short or long interruption. One of the best examples is the hospital because it can be risky to the patients.

1.) Grounding Electrical Equipment
2.) Bonding of Electrical Equipment
3.) Bonding of Electrically Conductive
Materials and other Equipment
Non-current carrying conductive materials and electrically conductive
materials that are likely to be energized must be connected to the
Earth and must be connected together and to the supply system
grounded equipment wherein it provides a path for ground-fault
current that is capable of carrying the maximum fault current on the
system.

4.) Path for Fault current – it means that all electrical equipment, wiring, and other electrically conductive material that is likely
to be energized must have a permanent, low-impedance circuit from any point of the wiring system to the electrical supply
source to allow the operation of overcurrent devices without shutting down the system because interruption, whether short or
long, can be critical in ungrounded systems.

References:

→Philippine Electrical Code (pp. 106-112). (2017). doi: https://www.pdf-archive.com/2016/06/03/philippine-electrical-code/

→Platinum Electricians. (2017, December 06). The importance of 'grounding' electrical currents. Retrieved April 19, 2021,
from https://www.platinumelectricians.com.au/blog/importance-grounding-electrical-currents/