Product Safety Alert

Date: 9 March 2018

Bulletin Number: 1000012444‐SA Revision: 01

Top Drive

Subject: Inspection of Grounding Connections for Paint

Product Model: All NOV Top Drives

Effectivity: All NOV Top Drives

Affected Assemblies: Top Drive Assemblies (Various Part Numbers)

Objective
Recommend inspection of grounding connections for evidence of paint or primer

Issue
NOV recently received a report of a TDS‐11SH drilling motor with a painted grounding lug (see Figure 1).
NOV has found that some drilling motors have been received by NOV with paint on the grounding pads.
Motors with paint on the grounding pads appear to have been delivered on top drives in some isolated
instances and could have been delivered as spares (see Figure 2). To ensure equipment is grounded
properly during operation, it is important that the grounding lugs and pads are in contact with as much
surface area as possible to ensure maximum current transfer. The presence of paint or primer will
prevent the current from flowing to the ground wire. Poor current transfer can potentially lead to
equipment damage or put personnel at the risk of shock hazard.

Solution
NOV recommends that users disassemble and inspect their grounding pads and lugs throughout their
equipment to ensure the contact surfaces are clean metal (see Figure 3). If the surfaces are not clean
metal, clean the grounding pad using abrasives and a degreaser. Clean the grounding lugs using a
solvent, such as Aircraft® Paint Remover.

Note: Do not use abrasives on the lug, as it will damage the protective tin plating.

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 Product Safety Alert

Figure 1. Paint found on contact surface of grounding lug

Figure 2. Paint shown on grounding pad and grounding lug

Figure 3. Grounding bar and grounding lug with paint removed

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 Product Safety Alert

Ordering and Contact Information

Please contact your local National Oilwell Varco (NOV) Service Center, with reference to
PB 1000011244‐SA, for further assistance.

Economic Impact
No Economic Impact.
Customers should also refer to previous NOV Product Bulletins for additional information regarding safe
operation, maintenance, and inspection criteria by signing in to your MYNOV account at
https://portal.mynov.com and then searching with the Product Bulletin Search available below the
heading ‘Application Groups’. For information on registering, please visit
https://www.nov.com/Search/register.aspx.

Failure to follow the recommendations and/or guidance in NOV Manuals and Product Bulletins may
result in death, bodily injury or property damage.

Please contact your local National Oilwell Varco (NOV) Service Center if you have any questions
regarding this bulletin.

Revision History
Revision Date Change Description
00 Month 0000 (vertical line to the side of a paragraph indicates a change)
01 9 March 2018 Initial Release

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