TOPIC: Electronic Controls

IDENT NO: 17-4135

DATE: October 2020

ESM /ESM2 ** ** SUPERSEDES: New

SUBJECT: Engine and Controls Grounding

MODELS AFFECTED: All with ESM or ESM2

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform the field

of the importance of proper grounding and
steps to assure proper grounding.
Proper grounding of the engine and all
electronic components is required to prevent
signal interference, which can result in erratic
performance. Faults due to improper grounding
can include false fault codes, misfire, backfire on
shutdown, erratic display readings, and many
others. For this reason, proper grounding of the
engine and all electronic/control components is
required.
Take the following steps to assure proper
function of the grounding system and proper
control functionality:
NOTE: There are multiple points on the engine
that can be used for a grounding connection.
Any of these are acceptable for a grounding
connection provided any paint or corrosion is
removed. See Figure 1. Figure 1: Clean Ground Connection

• Assure the engine is properly grounded to

earth ground.
– Each engine must be separately grounded
with an 8-foot (minimum) ground rod
connected to the engine with a 2-AWG
(minimum) grounding cable.
– Do not connect to a grid ground where
other components (especially other
electrical systems) are grounded, as this
may induce interference.
• Use the engine block as the common
connection point for all electronic
components including the panel.
– All main ground wires should be 2-AWG
wires (minimum).

* Trademark of INNIO Waukesha Gas Engines, Inc.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

10/20/2020
Copyright © 2020, INNIO Waukesha Gas Engines, Inc. Page 1 of 2
Service Bulletin No. 17-4135

• Assure the ESM/ESM2 logic ground (wire 1111 in
the customer interface harness) is connected
to the panel ground and that all customer
controls interfacing with the ESM/ESM2 system
are grounded to the same location.
• Assure all ground connections points are
protected from corrosion.
that will wick into crevices and prevent
corrosion in the joint as well as the surface.
• Validate that the resistance between all
ground points is less than 0.25 ohms.
(Measure in a de-energized state.)
– From panel to engine block

– Do not paint over connection points. Paint – From engine block to ground rod
can create pockets that seal in moisture
and promote corrosion, and can hide bad
ground connections.
– Use a corrosion inhibitor such as LPS 3® or
Amsoil® Heavy-Duty Metal Protector. These
are paraffin-based corrosion inhibitors

1111 WIRE
LOGIC GROUND

CUSTOMER
INTERFACE
CABLE

PLC 2 AWG
PANEL TO
ENGINE

GROUNDING
TERMINAL CRANKCASE
MOUNTING
POINT 2 AWG
ENGINE CRANKCASE
TO A MINIMUM 8 FT (2.4 M)
GROUND ROD
DW018692

Figure 2: Proper Grounding System

10/20/2020
Copyright © 2020, INNIO Waukesha Gas Engines, Inc. Page 2 of 2