Why Personal Protective Grounding/Bonding Is Important • JM Test Systems

After being in the electrical field for 25 years or more one thing continually comes up during discussions with others in the field and during training sessions and that is Personal Protective Grounding/Bonding (PPG/B). It’s remarkable at the electricians who don’t understand it’s purpose. So, let’s have a brief discussion on this matter.

First things first!

Definitions of PPG/B, Cable connected to de-energized lines and equipment by jumpering and bonding with appropriate clamps, to limit the voltage difference between accessible points at a worksite to safe values if the lines or equipment are accidentally re-energized. Protective grounds are sized to carry the maximum available fault current at the worksite. Also called ground jumper. An equipotential zone is a work zone in which the worker is protected from electric shock from differences in electric potential between objects in the work area. These differences in potential can be caused by induced voltage, line reenergization, or lightning.

In generation, transmission, and distribution work this is an essential part of everyday task however, in the industrial world it is sometimes forgotten, and even if it is used some workers do not know electrically what occurs or is suppose to occur and it’s intended purpose. PPG/B is a procedure to enable fault current, back feed, induction, or accidental re-energization of the conductors being worked. Yes, it’s purpose is to take the current to ground if the conductor being used as the grounding conductor has been tested to withstand the fault current and insure it has very low impedance (resistive) path to the grounded electrode. This in-turn will allow the breaker closest to the fault to operate due to proper coordination of the system. Where does “bonding” come in? All utility systems have a system ground, when placing grounds on bus work or equipment the grounded electrode is attached to that system. In most instances the grounding bus in the equipment is part of this system as well as grounded conductors at transformers. This is why proper coordination is essential.

Working on switchgear bus or just racking breakers to ensure no electrical connection is made when working on MCC buckets are even the feeder breaker, grounding should always be considered! During job briefings and Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) this should be considered. Knowing the system by use of drawings, schematics, and diagrams is essential. Only QUALIFIED personnel are allowed to perform this function, which means that person needs to be trained to do the task and it must be documented. Somethings to consider, have personnel been trained on hot stick use, inspecting the grounds, when was the ground tested last and how about the hot stick, when was it tested last. Why are we grounding it and is this the correct location to do so? Know the procedure!

In summary, qualified personnel must know the hazards and dangers associated with the specific task they are about to perform. They need to be trained to identify the situation they are about to be exposed to, and always perform risk assessments (shock and arc flash) before starting the work. PPG/B is a life and equipment saving procedure and every electrician should know how to do it if you are working on equipment which requires it. Remember THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN! If it isn’t grounded it isn’t dead!