NUMBER E11-S03

REV. NO. 0
ENGINEERING STANDARD DATE FEB 1999
PAGE 1 OF 17

Bonding and Grounding

This document is issued by Engineering Standards Group, SABIC Engineering & Project Management, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
All information contained in this document is the confidential property of SABIC. It can not be disclosed, copied or used for any purpose
without prior approval from SABIC. If you are not authorized to posses this document, please destroy it immediately.
 NUMBER E11-S03
REV. NO. 0
Bonding and Grounding
DATE FEB 1999
ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 2 OF 17

CONTENTS

1. SCOPE ............................................................................................................. 3
2. REFERENCES 3
3. DEFINITIONS 3
4. GENERAL......................................................................................................... 3
5. SAFETY 4
6. BONDING 4
6.1 Types........................................................................................................... 4
6.2 Requirements 4
7. ITEMS TO BE GROUNDED 4
8. GROUNDING CONDUCTOR MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS........................... 4
9. GROUNDED AND GROUNDING CONDUCTOR IDENTIFICATION 4
10. INSTALLATION OF GROUNDING AND BONDING CONDUCTORS 5
11. GROUNDING CONNECTIONS ........................................................................ 5
12. GROUNDING CONDUCTORS 5
13. NONMETALLIC RACEWAYS AND ENCLOSURES 6
14. GROUNDING ELECTRODES .......................................................................... 6
15. GROUNDING REQUIREMENTS FOR HAZARDOUS CLASSIFICATIONS 6
15.1 Installations In Hazardous Areas 6
15.2 Flexible Connection In Class I Areas .......................................................... 6
15.3 Flexible Connections In Class II And Class III, Divisions 1 and 2 Areas 6
16. EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS ABOVE 600 VOLTS 7
17. LIGHTNING AND STATIC PROTECTION SYSTEMS...................................... 7
18. TESTING 7
19. PRECAUTIONS 7

FIGURE
1 Power Grounding Requirements for Transformer Bank and Services ............ 10
2 Power Grounding Requirements for Motors, Starters, and Wiring Raceways 11
3 Lighting Grounding Requirements for Transformer Bank and Services 12
4 Adaptation of Column Footing for Grounding Electrode ................................. 13
5 Bonding Cable Assembly for Flammable Liquid Containers 14
6 Typical Loading Racks for Tank Trucks 15
7 Cable Tray Bonding Jumper Detail ................................................................. 16
8 Typical Ground Well Detail 17

TABLE
I Size of Equipment Grounding Conductors for Grounding Raceway
and Equipment 8
II Maximum Acceptable Grounding Resistance Values ...................................... 9
 NUMBER E11-S03
REV. NO. 0
Bonding and Grounding DATE FEB 1999
ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 3 OF 17

1. Scope
This standard provides installation requirements for grounding and bonding electrical systems, raceways, enclosures,
and equipment.

2. References
Reference is made in this standard to the following documents. The latest issues, amendments, and supplements to
these document shall apply unless otherwise indicated.
SABIC Engineering Standards (SES)
B50-F01-17 Building and Equipment Grounding - Foundation Details
American National Standards Association / Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (ANSI/IEEE)
ANSI/IEEE 142 Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA 70 National Electrical Code

3. Definitions
Bonding. The permanent joining of non-current carrying metallic parts and or circuit conductors intended to be
grounded to grounding conductors to ensure a reliable electrically conductive path to ground, which will provide
electrical continuity and the capacity to conduct safely any current likely to be imposed.
Bonding Jumper. A reliable conductor, solidly connected, between non-current-carrying metal parts or circuit
conductors or both intended to be grounded.
Cable Bond. An electric connection across a joint in the armor or lead sheath of a cable, or between the armor or
sheath of adjacent cable.
Equipment Ground. An electrical ground connection intentionally made to exposed non-current-carrying metal parts
of fixed equipment and enclosures and raceways containing electrical conductors likely to become energized. The
connection is made to provide a reliable low-impedance fault return path that will facilitate the operation of overcurrent
devices under ground-fault conditions and protect personnel from dangerous voltages and currents.
Ground. A conducting connection, whether intentional or not, between an electrical circuit or equipment and the earth
or to some conducting body that serves as the earth.
Ground Electrode. A bare cable, ground rod, plate, or groups of these in intimate contact with the ground for the
purpose of providing a connection to a ground.
Grounded. Connected to earth or to some conducting body that serves in place of earth.
Grounded Conductor. A system or circuit conductor that is intentionally grounded.
Grounding Conductor. A conductor used to connect a piece of equipment, a device, or the grounded circuit
conductor of a wiring system to a grounding electrode or electrodes.
Grounding Electrode Conductor. A conductor connecting the grounding electrode to an equipment grounding
conductor or to a grounded conductor or both at the service equipment or at the source of a separately derived
system.
System or Circuit Ground. An electrical ground connection intentionally made to system or circuit conductors to limit
voltages due to lightning, line surges, or unintentional contact with higher voltage lines and to stabilize the voltage to
ground during normal operation.

4. General
4.1 Unnecessary grounding and bonding practices that do not reflect code requirements or current technology shall
be eliminated.
4.2 Installation information shall be focused on the equipment required and structured to eliminate misinterpretation of
its contents.
4.3 For typical grounding installations, see Figures 1 to 6.
4.4 Refer to ANSI/IEEE 142 for detailed grounding systems.
 NUMBER E11-S03
REV. NO. 0
Bonding and Grounding
DATE FEB 1999
ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 4 OF 17

5. Safety
The safety of personnel and the protection of electrical systems and equipment is paramount in the installation of
electrical bonding and grounding. Injury to personnel and damage to equipment are possible from dangerous fault
currents and excessive voltage surges due to lightning strikes or transformer failures. Using appropriate installation
techniques is vital to ensure the integrity of the system.

6. Bonding
6.1 Types
6.1.1 Direct bonding consists of a permanent metal-to-metal contact inherent in the equipment for use in those
locations where it may be desirable to disconnect the jumper at times for testing the maintenance purposes, and where
clearances shall be maintained for mechanical reasons. The direct bond made by welding or brazing is most effective.
Jumper bonding with suitable clamps and fittings may be classified as a semipermanent joint. The contact surfaces
shall be clean.
6.1.2 Jumper bonding consists of a bonding conductor and a suitable clamp or a bolted connection for use in those
locations where it may be desirable to disconnect the jumper for maintenance purposes.
6.1.3 Continuous relative bonding is required, for example, to bond a rotating shaft with a brush secured in contact
with the shaft and a jumper wire connection for bonding.
6.2 Requirements
6.2.1 All bonding connections, except those consisting of a permanent metal-to-metal contact accomplished by
welding or brazing, shall be made with compression connectors, clamps, or other approved means. Connection
devices or fittings that depend solely on solder shall not be used as per NFPA 70, 250-113.
6.2.2 Where the bonding connections are exposed to the atmosphere in highly corrosive and wet locations, the
following general types of fittings shall be used.
6.2.3 Cadmium plated, galvanized, or other similarly finished fittings shall be used if the object or pipe to be grounded
is made of ferrous metal.
6.2.4 Unplated brass fittings shall be used only where the connected object or pipe to be grounded is made of copper,
brass, bronze, or alloys of these metals.
6.2.5 Jumper bonding clamps and connectors for use with other material shall be of the same metal as the object to
which they are attached or an electrolytic-metallic combination that will provide corrosion protection to the object to
which they are attached.

7. Items to be Grounded
7.1 All non-current-carrying exposed metal parts of enclosures, raceways, wireways, and equipment frames that
contain or support current-carrying electrical conductors, devices, or equipment shall be grounded.
7.2 All electrical system conductors shall be grounded in compliance with NFPA 70, Articles 250-3 and 250-5 and as
specified in the design documents.

8. Grounding Conductor Material Requirements

8.1 The material used as grounding electrode conductors shall conform to NFPA 70, Article 250-91(a).
8.2 The material used as equipment grounding conductors shall conform to NFPA 70, Article 250-91(b).
8.3 The material used as main or equipment bonding jumpers shall conform to NFPA 70, Article 250-79(a).

9. Grounded and Grounding Conductor Identification

9.1 Equipment grounding conductors shall conform to NFPA 70, Articles 250-57(b) and Table I.
9.2 Grounding electrode conductors may be insulated, covered, or bare. See NFPA 70, Articles 250-91(a).
 NUMBER E11-S03
REV. NO. 0
Bonding and Grounding DATE FEB 1999
ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 5 OF 17

10. Installation of Grounding and Bonding Conductors

10.1 Grounding conductors shall be installed at locations in accordance with the design documents.
10.2 Exposed grounding conductors and their enclosures shall be installed plumb, level, and parallel with or at right
angles to the structure lines to which they are attached.
10.3 Grounding electrode conductors shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 70, Article 250-92(a).
10.4 Equipment grounding conductors shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 70, Article 250-92(c).
10.5 Enclosures for grounding electrode conductors shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 70, Article 250-91(b).
10.6 Underground grounding conductors, where not enclosed in raceways, shall be laid slack and installed at a
minimum depth of 760 mm. See NFPA 70, Article 250-81(d).
10.7 Equipment bonding jumpers shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 70, Article 250-79(f).

11. Grounding Connections

11.1 Grounding connections shall be made at locations as specified in the design documents.
11.2 Surfaces used for the connection of grounding conductors shall have paint, rust, oil, chemicals, and other
corrosive materials removed prior to making connections. Protective surfaces (for example: silver, cadmium, zinc, or
tin platings) shall not be removed.
11.3 Areas that are damp, wet, or subject to corrosion, cleaned surfaces shall be coated with a conductive corrosive
protectant before final connections are made.
11.4 Aluminum surfaces with oxide films shall be abraded under an antioxidant (electrical joint compound)
immediately prior to making connections.
11.5 Aboveground connections shall be made with listed compression sleeves, listed grounding clamps, or listed
compression lugs bolted to flat surfaces. Mechanical lugs shall not be used without the written approval of the
organization responsible for the installation.
11.6 Underground connections shall be made by using exothermic connections or listed compression grounding
system materials. Bolted connections shall not be used without the written approval of the organization responsible for
the installation. The bolted connections shall be of two-bolt variety and completely encapsulated with bitumastic, or an
equivalent, to protect the connection from corrosion.
11.7 Connections to grounding electrodes that require periodic removal for testing may be made with listed bolt type
connectors.

12. Grounding Conductors

12.1 Right conduit, electric metallic tubing, flexible metallic conduit, metallic wireways, or other metallic enclosures
may be used as a fault return path, provided they are installed to ensure the continuity of the return path from the
equipment being served to the grounding electrode conductor.
12.2 Electrical metallic tubing shall be installed by using gland nut couplings and connectors. When fittings other than
gland nuts are used, an internal grounding conductor shall be installed. The use of electrical metallic tubing (EMT) is
limited to circuits with fault currents below 5,000 amperes symmetrical and shall not be used in hazardous areas.
12.3 Listed metallic wireways, when installed as continuous raceways and solidly connected to grounding conductors
at each end, are acceptable as grounding conductors in nonhazardous areas.
12.4 Enclosures for electrical equipment and conductors (for example: junction boxes, pull boxes, gutters, enclosures
for disconnects, starters, or instruments) shall be fabricated from steel or aluminum, or cast metal for proper
grounding.
12.5 Motor terminal boxes for motors rated at 575 volts or less, when constructed of cast metal with threaded
openings and attached to the motor housing with a minimum of four bolts, are adequate to provide a ground-fault
return path without additional bonding to the motor frame.
12.6 Cable 4 AWG (single conductor stranded copper welding cable with neoprene jacket) end section cramped with
battery type clip shall be long enough for connecting the metallic frame of the bonding tank trucks at loading station.
 NUMBER E11-S03
REV. NO. 0
Bonding and Grounding
DATE FEB 1999
ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 6 OF 17

12.7 Material used for grounding shall be compatible with cable trays assembly. Copper bonding and grounding
conductors and bronze clamps shall be used for maintaining the continuity for galvanized or aluminum cable trays.
12.8 The resistance to earth for grounding network shall be in accordance with Table II.
12.9 Figures 1 to 8 describe possible installation requirements that may be referred to on the drawings.

13. Nonmetallic Raceways and Enclosures

13.1 When nonmetallic raceways and fiber glass cable trays are used, a separate grounding conductor shall be
included in the raceway.
13.2 When nonmetallic enclosures are used, all grounding conductors and metal conduits shall be bonded together to
all non-current-carrying metallic objects mounted on or in the enclosure.

14. Grounding Electrodes

14.1 For descriptions of a grounding electrode system and acceptable grounding electrodes, see NFPA 70, Articles
250-81 and 250-83.
14.2 When specified, driven rod or pipe electrodes shall not be less than 3 meters in length.
14.3 When specified, conduit or pipe electrodes shall not be smaller than 19 mm trade size.
14.4 When specified, iron or steel electrode rods shall be at least 16 mm in diameter.
14.5 When specified, nonferrous rods shall be listed and shall not be less than 13 mm in diameter.
14.6 Driven electrodes shall be installed to a depth of at least 3 meters. If soil conditions do not permit a depth of 3
meters, the electrode shall be driven on an oblique angle of at least 45 degrees from vertical, or buried in a trench to a
minimum depth of 760 mm.
14.7 When specified, multiple grounding electrodes of the same grounding system shall be spaced 3.5 meters apart
minimum.

15. Grounding Requirements for Hazardous Classifications

15.1 Installations in Hazardous Areas
15.1.1 Grounding and bonding in hazardous areas is more important than nonhazardous areas because a poor
grounding path could cause remote arcs resulting in ignition of hazardous materials. The hazardous areas are
differentiated according to the wiring (conduit or tray) system.
15.1.2 Grounding installations in hazardous classification areas shall comply with the following.
15.1.3 Grounding and bonding in hazardous areas shall conform to NFPA 70, Articles 501-16, 502-16, and 503-16.
15.1.4 The conduit systems shall provide a satisfactory ground-continuity path to all metallic equipment and parts in
hazardous areas. In class I or II, Division 1 areas, where the short-circuit current may exceed 7000 amperes
symmetrical, aluminum conduit shall be used. If steel conduit is used, it shall contain an internal grounding conductor.
15.2 Flexible Connection in Class I Areas
15.2.1 Division 1. Where flexible connections for motor terminals are required, flexible fittings approved for Class I
locations shall be used. See NFPA 70, 501-4a.
15.2.2 Division 2. Where limited flexibility for motor terminals is required, approved flexible metal conduit and fittings or
liquid-tight flexible metal conduit ,or flexible cord for extra hard usage shall be used. An additional conductor for
grounding shall be included in the flexible cord unless other acceptable means of grounding are provided. See NFPA
70, 501 4b.
15.3 Flexible Connections in Class II and Class III, Divisions 1 and 2 areas
Where it is necessary to employ flexible connections, dust tight flexible connectors, liquid-tight flexible metal conduit
with approved fittings, or flexible cord approved for extra hard usage and provided with bushed fittings shall be used.
Where flexible cords are used and electrically conducting dusts are encountered, they shall be provided with dust tight
scale at both ends. An additional conductor for grounding shall be provided in the flexible cord unless other acceptable
means of grounding is provided. Where flexible connections are subject to oily or corrosive conditions, the insulation of
the conductors shall be protected by a suitable sheath. See NFPA 70, 502-4(a) (2), 502-4(b) (2), 503-3 (a) (2), and
503-3 (b).
 NUMBER E11-S03
REV. NO. 0
Bonding and Grounding DATE FEB 1999
ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 7 OF 17

16. Equipment and Systems Above 600 Volts

16.1 Utilization equipment rated above 600 volts shall be provided with a separate equipment ground to the nearest
grounded building steel or ground bus in addition to the grounded fault-current return path.
16.2 For additional information on systems above 600 volts, see NFPA 70, Article 250, Part M.

17. Lightning and Static Protection Systems

This section describes electrical grounding and bonding installation methods where handling of solids, liquids, and
gases can result in creation of dangerous static charges.
17.1 Where static protection of piping or ductwork is required, each section and each fitting shall have no more than
100 ohms resistance to grounded building steel. Where piping is subject to either direct or induced lightning effects,
the maximum allowable resistance to ground is 10 ohms in a hazardous (classified) area and 25 ohms in a
nonhazardous area. If measured resistance exceeds the appropriate value, then the high resistance joints shall be
located and suitable bonding jumpers shall be installed.
17.2 A minimum size of No.10 AWG copper wire or larger is satisfactory for bonding where there is no danger of
mechanical injury; otherwise, No.4 AWG wire is recommended. The main connection between such a system and the
ground system shall be No.1 AWG copper wire or larger. The stranded wire shall be corrosion protected.

18. Testing
After installation, the grounding system and electrodes shall be tested to ensure conformance to the maximum
grounding resistance requirements as per Table II. Notify SABIC if test results are not satisfactory.

19. Precautions
19.1 Prior to trenching for underground installations or the driving of grounding electrodes, excavation permits shall
be completed and approved by SABIC to ensure that the locations of underground interferences or hazards have been
considered.
19.2 When grounding connections are required, the first connection shall be made to the grounding electrode. When
disconnecting ground connections, the grounding electrode shall be disconnected at last.
 NUMBER E11-S03
REV. NO. 0
Bonding and Grounding
DATE FEB 1999
ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 8 OF 17

TABLE I
Size of Equipment Grounding Conductors for Grounding Raceway and Equipment
(Reproduced from NFPA 70, 250-95)

SIZE
RATING/SETTING (1)
Aluminum or copper-clad aluminum
(Amperes)
Copper Wire No. Wire (See installation restrictions
Not exceeding
in NFPA 70, 250-92a)
15 14
20 12
30 10
40 10
60 10
100 8
200 6
300 4
400 3 1
500 2 1/0
600 1 2/0
800 1/0 3/0
1000 2/0 4/0
1200 3/0 250 MCM
1600 4/0 350 MCM
2000 250 MCM 400 MCM
2500 350 MCM 500 MCM
3000 400 MCM 600 MCM
4000 500 MCM 800 MCM
5000 700 MCM 1000 MCM
6000 800 MCM 1200 MCM
(1)
Rating or setting of automatic overcurrent device in circuit ahead of equipment and conduit.
Note: The grounding conductor for secondary circuits of instrument transformers and for instrument
cases shall not be smaller than No.12 whereof copper, or whereof other metal shall have equal
conductance. Cases of instrument transformers, instruments, meters and relays which are
mounted directly on grounded metal surfaces of enclosures or grounded metal switchboard
panels shall be considered to be grounded and no additional grounding conductor will be
required as per NFPA 70, 250-125. Separate grounding and bonding external jumpers less
than No.10 AWG and without adequate mechanical protection on fixed equipment
(not portable) are easily broken and, therefore, not recommended.
 NUMBER E11-S03
REV. NO. 0
Bonding and Grounding DATE FEB 1999
ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 9 OF 17

TABLE II
Maximum Acceptable Grounding Resistance Values

TYPE OF STRUCTURE / INSTALLATION MAXIMUM GROUNDING RESISTANCE

IN INDUSTRIAL PLANTS (ohms)
1. SUBSTATIONS Below 4.16 kV Above 4.16 kV
Below 1,000 kVA capacity 5 10
1,000-5,000 kVA capacity 2 5
Over 5,000 kVA capacity 1 2
Line switches 10 15
Small distribution transformers banks 15 25
2. LIGHTNING PROTECTION
For structures and other exposed metallic nonelectrical 10 hazardous areas
equipment. 25 nonhazardous areas
3. STATIC GROUNDING
Flammable liquid and dust mixture handling.
Piping and equipment.
Grounding for prevention of static accumulation 100
in processing operation in classified
nonhazardous areas.

Conducting type floors in hazardous process

areas, hospitals. < 1 megaohm per 36 in.
Conductive hose (gasoline dispensing). > 25,000 ohm any place to a ground connection or per 36 in.
< 1 megaohm per 36 in.
 NUMBER E11-S03
REV. NO. 0
Bonding and Grounding
DATE FEB 1999
ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 10 OF 17

FIGURE 1
Power Grounding Requirements for Transformer Bank and Services
 NUMBER E11-S03
REV. NO. 0
Bonding and Grounding DATE FEB 1999
ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 11 OF 17

FIGURE 2
Power Grounding Requirements for Motors, Starters, and Wiring Raceways
 NUMBER E11-S03
REV. NO. 0
Bonding and Grounding
DATE FEB 1999
ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 12 OF 17

FIGURE 3
Lighting Grounding Requirements for Transformer Bank and Services
 NUMBER E11-S03
REV. NO. 0
Bonding and Grounding DATE FEB 1999
ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 13 OF 17

FIGURE 4
Adaptation of Column Footing for Grounding Electrode

12 mm diameter bolt. Weld nut to bolt

and baseplate, on two faces.

ldentify bolt with weld spot or Building column

stenciled 'G' on top

Baseplate

Anchor bolts

Short piece of 12 mm diameter

rod welded to grounding bolt and
vertical grounding rod
(762 mm minimum, see Note 1)

Dash line represents alternate

footing design possibility

1/2" (12 mm) dia grounding Pier or pedestal

rod welded to grounding
rod in footing and tied securely
to vertical rebar network.

Spread footing

1/2" (12 mm) dia grounding rod

tied securely to the footing rebars.

Notes:
1. Concrete encased steel reinforcing bar, rod system of underground footings, and foundations shall conform to the
following:
(i) minimum rod diameter 12 mm
(ii) total aggregate length of rod(s) shall be 6 m at a minimum depth of 766 mm below grade, and
(iii) encased in at least 50 mm of concrete. See NFPA 70, 250-81(c).
2. For drilled footing, use single vertical reinforcing bar.
 NUMBER E11-S03
REV. NO. 0
Bonding and Grounding
DATE FEB 1999
ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 14 OF 17

FIGURE 5
Bonding Cable Assembly for Flammable Liquid Containers

No. 4 AWG
Superservice welding
cable with neoprene
jacket.

Note: Used for mobile tanks and containers.

 NUMBER E11-S03
REV. NO. 0
Bonding and Grounding DATE FEB 1999
ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 15 OF 17

FIGURE 6
Typical Loading Racks for Tank Trucks
 NUMBER E11-S03
REV. NO. 0
Bonding and Grounding
DATE FEB 1999
ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 16 OF 17

FIGURE 7
Cable Tray Bonding Jumper Detail
 NUMBER E11-S03
REV. NO. 0
Bonding and Grounding DATE FEB 1999
ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 17 OF 17

FIGURE 8
Typical Ground Well Detail