Important Functions Performed by an Effective Equipment Grounding System

The equipment grounding system concerns itself with the interconnection and grounding of nonelectrical conducting material which either encloses or is adjacent to energized electric power conductors. Its purpose is to assure that the building containing the electrical system, or the occupants of that building, are not subjected to a dangerous or objectionable environment condition incidental to the use of electrical power. The items of chief concem include: 1) freedom from electric-shock exposure to building occupants; 2) freedom from exposed sparking, arcing, flashing, or other fire ignition origin incident to operation of the electric power system; and 3) freedom from unnecessary electrical noise within the building space resulting from the presence of the electric power system.