TESTING GROUNDING

SYSTEMS
Originally Developed by:
RONALD J. RENOWDEN - CMSP
Denver Field Office Supervisor, MNM MSHA
Rocky Mountain District
Denver, Colorado

Enhanced by:
Roy W. Milam
Electrical
Engineer/Instructor
National Mine Health and
Safety Academy

GROUNDIN
G
SYSTEMS
As required by:

30 CFR 56/57.12028

56/57.12028

the

REG.
Continuity and resistance of
grounding systems shall be tested
immediately after installation,
repair, and modification; and
annually thereafter. A record of the
resistance measured during the
most recent test shall be made
available on request by the
Secretary or his duly authorized
representative.

WHY DO WE
TEST ?
Ensure that continuity &
resistance tests are conducted
on a specific schedule (at least
annually)
Alert mine operators if there is
a problem in the grounding
system
Problem may not allow the
circuit protective devices to

WHY DO WE
TEST?
With exception of fixed
installations - Numerous fatalities
and injuries have occurred due to
HIGH resistance or LACK of
continuity in equipment
grounding systems
Proper testing and maintenance of
grounding systems can prevent
electrical accidents
This all sounds so good that we made it the policy regarding 12028.

56/57.12028

the

POLICY
The intent of this standard is to ensure that
continuity and resistance tests of
grounding systems are conducted on a
specific schedule. These tests will alert the
mine operator if a problem exists in the
grounding system which may not allow the
circuit protective devices to quickly operate
when faults occur. With the exception of
fixed installations, numerous fatalities and
injuries have occurred due to high
resistance or lack of continuity in
equipment grounding systems. These
accidents could have been prevented by
proper testing and maintenance of

Grounding systems typically include the

following:
1. equipment grounding
conductors - the conductors
used to connect the metal
frames or enclosures of
electrical equipment to the
grounding electrode conductor;
2. grounding electrode
conductors
- the conductors connecting the
grounding electrode to the
equipment grounding conductor;
and
3. grounding electrodes
- usually driven rods connected
to each other by suitable means,
buried metal, or other effective

O
L
I

C
Y

Operators shall conduct the following tests:

1. equipment grounding conductors continuity and resistance must be
tested immediately after
installation, repair, or modification,
and annually if conductors are
subjected to vibration, flexing or
corrosive environments;

O
L
I
C
Y

2. grounding electrode conductors continuity and resistance must be

tested immediately after
installation, repair, or modification,
and annually if conductors are
subjected to vibration, flexing or
corrosive environments; and
3. grounding electrodes - resistance
must be tested immediately after
installation, repair, or modification,
and annually thereafter.

56/57.12028

the

POLICY
Conductors in fixed installations,
such as rigid conduit, armored cable,
raceways, cable trays, etc., that are
not subjected to vibration, flexing or
corrosive environments may be
examined annually by visual
observation to check for damage in
lieu of the annual resistance test.
When operators elect to conduct this
visual examination as a method of
compliance with 30 CFR56/57.12028,
MSHA will require that a record be
maintained of the most recent annual

56/57.12028

the

POLICY
Grounding conductors in trailing
cables, power cables, and cords
that supply power to tools and
portable or mobile equipment
must be tested as prescribed in
the regulation. This requirement
does not apply to double insulated
tools or circuits protected by
ground-fault-circuit interrupters
that trip at 5 milli-amperes or less.

56/57.12028

the

POLICY
Testing of equipment grounding
conductors and grounding
electrode conductors is not
required if a fail-safe ground wire
monitor is used to continuously
monitor the grounding circuit and
which will cause the circuit
protective devices to operate when
the grounding conductor continuity
is broken.

56/57.12028

the

POLICY
A record of the most recent
resistance tests conducted must be
kept and made available to the
Secretary or his authorized
representative upon request. When
a record of testing is required by
the standard, MSHA intends that
the test results be recorded in
resistance value in ohms.
Thats all the policy! But what does it all mean ?

TYPICAL GROUNDING SYSTEM

has three parts
EQUIPMENT GROUNDING CONDUCTORS
(the most important part!!!)
Grounding Electrode Conductors
Grounding Electrodes

EQUIPMENT GROUNDING
CONDUCTOR
The conductors used to connect
the metal frames or enclosures
of electrical equipment to the
grounding electrode conductor
Life Wire; Life Line
Most important electrical safety
item in the electrical system
People protector

Equipment Grounding Conductors

GROUNDING BUS maybe in MCC

Motor 1

Motor 2

Motor 4
Motor 3

GROUNDING ELECTRODE
CONDUCTOR
Conductor that connects the
grounding electrode and the
transformer to the equipment
grounding conductor Main Ground Bus
T
R
A
N
S
F
O
R
M
E
R

maybe in the MCC

Earth
Grounding
Electrode

GROUNDING ELECTRODES
Usually driven rods connected to each
other by suitable means, buried metal
plates, or any other effective methods
located at the power source to provide
a low resistance earth connection.
What is actually in contact with Earth.

Grid

Rod

EQUIPMENT GROUNDING
CONDUCTORS
Test for Continuity and Resistance

Immediately after INSTALLATION,

REPAIR, OR
MODIFICATION, AND
ANNUALLY, IF conductors are
subjected to
VIBRATION
FLEXING
CORROSIVE

GROUNDING ELECTRODE
CONDUCTOR
Test for Continuity and Resistance
Immediately after INSTALLATION,
REPAIR, OR
MODIFICATION, AND
ANNUALLY, IF conductors are
subjected to
VIBRATION
FLEXING
CORROSIVE

GROUNDING
ELECTRODES
Testing
Test for Resistance (Earth)
Immediately after INSTALLATION,
REPAIR, OR
MODIFICATION, AND
ANNUALLY thereafter.

Are there EXCEPTIONS

YES !!
!
In lieu of doing annual resistance
tests, the Grounds may be
examined annually by visual
observation to check for
damage..
BUT ONLY IF:
The conductors are in fixed
locations such as;
RIGID CONDUIT
ARMORED CABLE
RACEWAYS

MORE EXCEPTIONS
These FIXED LOCATIONS
MUST NOT

be SUBJECTED TO:

HOW MUCH IS TOO

MUCH ?

HOW MUCH IS TOO

MUCH ?

The inspector makes

the final
determination
concerning areas
acceptable to visual
examinations

IF VISUAL EXAMS ARE

CONDUCTED
MSHA policy requires that
a WRITTEN RECORD be
maintained of the most
recent ANNUAL VISUAL
EXAMINATION, can be
electronic

EQUIPMENT GROUNDING CONDUCTORS

IN:

Trailing cables
Power cables
Cords supplying power to tools
Cords and cables supplying
power to portable or mobile
equipment
MUST BE TESTED AS

When Is Testing NOT Required?

IF a fail-safe ground wire monitor is
used. The monitor will cause the
circuit protective device to open when
the grounding conductor continuity is
broken. It continuously monitors the
continuity of the grounding conductor.
Double insulated tools are used. There
is no grounding conductor to test.
If the circuit used incorporates a GFCI
that trips at 5 milli-amps or LESS.
There are 110v and 220v devices now

RECORDS
RESISTANCE VALUES IN
OHMS
Most recent tests
Must be available for review by
MSHA upon request
No specific format required

Be legible

Visual exam records

A little ADVICE ?
Should have electrical knowledge
Know how to test and use the
instrument/PPE
Know what kind of electrical system
Check circuit protective device vs. Ohms
test
Check with power off
Proper size ground wire
Never let metal framework or earth be
the primary grounding conductor
Never use peg grounding

NATIONAL ELECTRICAL
CODE
Section 250-51-EFFECTIVE GROUNDING
PATH: The path to ground from circuits,
equipment, and metal enclosures for
conductors shall:
Be permanent and electrically continuous
Have capacity to conduct safely any fault
current likely to be imposed on it, and
Have sufficient low impedance to limit the
voltage to ground and to facilitate the
operation of the circuit protective devices.
The earth SHALL NOT be used as the sole
equipment grounding conductor

OK, now that the operator

has tested his grounding
circuit and recorded the
results, what do we do
with them?
In other words

How do you know if the

ground wire resistance is
okay?
Can apply good old OHMS LAW:

E = IR
E = VOLTS
I = AMPS
(current) R = RESISTANCE (ohms)

ER

I R

I=

BUT ..FIRST !
Remember OHMS LAW ! ( E = IR )
Circuits are protected by fuses/breakers against
SHORT CIRCUITS AND GROUND FAULTS
IF GF occurs, we want the fuse/breaker to clear
ASAP!
Question? Where does the current go when a
ground fault occurs?
GROUNDING CONDUCTOR carries the fault
current back to the SOURCE (current does not
return to earth, but sometimes travels thru it).
FAULT CURRENT takes path of LEAST
resistance?

CONTINUED
IF ground wire is missing or high

resistance, current will flow in

dangerous places to return to the
source.

TOUCH AND STEP POTENTIALS MAY

EXIST ON THE FRAMES OF
EQUIPMENT AND ON THE EARTH

HAZARDOUS!!!!! : SHOCK, BURNS,

ELECTROCUTION..DEATH

EXAMPLE:
The operators record of
resistance testing (in OHMS)
shows the following:
Crusher motor = 1 ohm
Screen Deck
= .5 ohm
Stacker main motor = 1.5 ohm
Conveyor 1
= 1 ohm

Example:Whats

Next ?

Need: Circuit/System VOLTAGE:

Motors supplied with 3 phase, 460 volt AC

Grounded WYE Service; -=460v; grd=265v

Need: Fuse/Circuit Breaker Size (for

each)

100hp, 125amps, 3-fuses @ 300amps each

(crusher motor)
40hp, 52amps, 3-fuses @ 100amps each
(screen)
25hp, 34amps, 70 amp breaker (stacker)
10hp, 14amps, 30 amp breaker (conveyor 1)

GROUNDED WYE
Grounded WYE Service; 460 V, 3-PHASE
A-B=460v;

A-grd=265V A-C=460v;

B-C=460v;

B-grd=265V

C-grd=265V

OA
OB

OC

Ground
Ground

How good is the equipment

grounding?

CONVEYOR 1: 1ohm, -grd=265v.

How much FC will flow if GF at motor frame?

To find current (ohms law) I= E/R.
265v I = =265 amp FC; On 30 amp
1ohm
breaker

265a.(FC)/30a(bkr) = 8.83...Whats this mean?

Breaker will TRIP almost instantaneous level
ASAP
GOOD GROUNDING!

LETS CHECK ANOTHER !

SCREEN:
=

.5 ohms, -grd=265v 265v

=530 amp FC; On 100 amp

.5ohm

fuses
530a.(FC)/100a.(fu) = 5.30...Whats this mean?
Fuse will not TRIP near instantaneous level
(ASAP)
GOOD GROUNDING ? Questionable! Review
trip curve chart for fuse to find trip time.
ADVICE: Check connections; loose, dirty, wire
size? CORRECT/ REPAIR! Screens- flexing and
vibration!

LETS CHECK ANOTHER !

CRUSHER: 1 ohm, -grd=265v
I=

265v

=265 amp FC; 300 amp fuses

1ohm

265a.(FC)/300a.(fu) = .88 ...Whats this

mean?
Fuse will not BLOW (must see at least 125%
to begin)
DANGEROUS GROUNDING
UNACCEPTABLE!
ADVICE: Check connections; loose, dirty,
wire size? CORRECT & REPAIR! Crushers flexing and vibration

Lets make a small

CRUSHER:
1 ohm, -grd=265v, but this time
change!!!
were going to use a 100 Amp, Magnetic Trip
Circuit Breaker with a trip range of 150-480
amps, set on LOW, as protection.
265v
I=
=265 amp FC; CB set 150
Amps
1ohm
265a.(FC)/150a.(Inst.)
= 1.77 ...Whats this mean?

Breaker will TRIP instantaneously.

GOOD GROUNDING!

Corner Grounded Delta

Corner Grounded Delta Service;

460 V, 3PHASE A-B=460v; A-grd=0V AC=460v; B-grd=460V

BC=460v; C-grd=460V

OA
OB

B
C

OC

A
Ground

Corner Grounded Delta

CONVEYOR 1: 1ohm, -grd=480v.

How much FC will flow if GF at motor frame?

To find current (ohms law) I= E/R.

=480 amp FC; On 30 amp breaker

480v I =

1ohm

480a.(FC)/30a(bkr) = 16.0...Whats this mean?

Breaker will TRIP

at instantaneous level ASAP

GOOD GROUNDING !

Corner Grounded Delta

SCREEN: .5 ohms, -grd=480v

480v

I=

fuses

.5ohm

=960 amp FC; On 100 amp

960a.(FC)/100a.(fu) = 9.60...Whats this mean?

Fuse will TRIP near instantaneous level (ASAP)

GOOD GROUNDING !

Corner Grounded Delta

CRUSHER: 1 ohm, -grd=480v
I=

480v

=480 amp FC;

300 amp

fuses
1ohm
480a.(FC)/300a.(fu) = 1.6 ...Whats this mean?
Fuse will start heating up. (must see at least 125% to
begin) Will blow on very long delay.

DANGEROUS GROUNDING
UNACCEPTABLE!

ADVICE: Check connections; loose, dirty, wire

size? CORRECT & REPAIR! Crushers - flexing
and vibration

FLOATING or
UNGROUNDED SYSTEMS
BE AWARE!
HAZARDOUS- IF NOT MONITORED
FOR GROUNDS AND MAINTAINED
ELECTRICAL SHOCK
THERMAL ARC FLASH BURNS
ELECTROCUTION
FIRES

Now lets look

at some of the
test
instruments
that can be

Instruments
used to test
the grounding
electrode

This is a Biddle Earth Tester that is battery powered. It

uses 6 C cells. It is used to test the grounding electrode

Measuring the
resistance of the
equipment grounding
conductor for this
piece of equipment.

This a type of
Biddle Earth
Tester that is
battery
powered. It is
powered by 4
C cells. It is
used to test the
grounding
electrode
resistance.

This is a Biddle
Earth Tester that
is used to test the
resistance of the
grounding
electrode. It is
powered by the
use of the hand
crank on the side
of the device.

This is the Field Kit that is used with an

Earth Tester to measure the resistance
of the grounding electrode. It contains 2
metal stakes, and 3 conductors of
various lengths.

Set-Up for Testing

Grounding Electrode
Resistance
C1 P1 G P2
C2

Earth

Groundin
g
Electrode

Test
Rods

This person is driving

a test rod to be used
while testing the
grounding electrode
resistance.

This is the method

used when testing the
grounding electrode
resistance with a
Biddle Earth Tester.

The results obtained

during the testing of the
grounding electrode
resistance are plotted on
a graph. The actual
resistance of the
electrode is the flat part
of the graph.

Another method of
testing the resistance of
the grounding electrode
is using a voltage source,
such as a vehicle battery,
a voltmeter and an
ammeter. We do not
recommend this method
as it can be extremely
dangerous.

This is one possible

set-up for testing the
grounding electrode
resistance.

This is the method

used when testing the
grounding electrode
resistance with a
Biddle Earth Tester.

Use OHMS LAW to

calculate the
resistance values your
tests found.

R=E/I

The results obtained during the

testing of the grounding
electrode resistance are plotted
on a graph. The actual
resistance of the electrode is the
flat part of the graph.

This is the ECOS Pow-RMate Tester. It is used to

test the resistance and
impedance of the
grounding electrode. It is
both battery powered and
plug-and-cord connected.

This is a Biddle
Insulation Tester
that is used to
test the insulation
value of
conductors,
motors,
transformers, and
cables. It is
powered by the
hand crank on the
side of the device.
This device should
not be used to
test the
grounding
electrode nor the
equipment
grounding
conductors.

Instruments used
to test the
grounding
electrode
conductor and
the equipment
grounding

This is a Fluke
Graphics MultiMeter which can
be used to
measure the
resistance of the
equipment
grounding
conductors.

This is a Fluke
Multi-Meter which
can be used to
measure the
resistance of the
equipment
grounding
conductors.

This is a Simpson
Multi-Meter which
can be used to
measure the
resistance of the
equipment
grounding
conductors. It is
reading an open
conductor now.

This is a Simpson
Multi-Meter, with
test leads
attached, which
can be used to
measure the
resistance of the
equipment
grounding
conductors. It is
reading an open
conductor now.

This is a Simpson
Multi-Meter, with
test leads
attached, which
can be used to
measure the
resistance of the
equipment
grounding
conductors. It is
reading Zero ohms
resistance as the
test leads are
contacting each
other. The meter is
being zeroed.