Introduction

In any electrical installation, grounding and bonding are not merely code requirements; they are fundamental pillars of safety, protecting personnel from electric shock and safeguarding equipment from damage due to faults, lightning, and transient overvoltages. While often used interchangeably, grounding (connecting to earth) and bonding (creating a low-impedance path between conductive objects) work in tandem to establish a safe reference point and ensure rapid fault current clearing. A properly designed and implemented grounding and bonding system limits touch and step voltages, stabilizes system voltage during normal operation, and provides an effective path for fault currents to return to their source, allowing protective devices to operate swiftly. Without a thorough understanding and correct application of Grounding and Bonding in Electrical Systems, installations risk severe hazards, including electrocution, fire, and catastrophic equipment failure, making this an indispensable area of expertise for anyone involved in electrical design, installation, or maintenance. This comprehensive training course focuses on equipping professionals with the expertise to master Grounding and Bonding in Electrical Systems.

This training course is meticulously designed to empower electrical engineers, electricians, installers, safety officers, maintenance personnel, and consulting professionals with the theoretical understanding and practical skills necessary to design, install, test, and maintain effective Grounding and Bonding in Electrical Systems. Participants will gain a deep understanding of relevant international standards (e.g., IEEE, NEC, IEC), explore various grounding system configurations, learn about material selection and installation techniques, and acquire skills in performing critical measurements and troubleshooting common grounding issues. The course will delve into topics such as soil resistivity testing, lightning protection grounding, substation grounding grids, bonding for sensitive electronics, hazardous location grounding, and the nuances of grounding for renewable energy systems. By mastering the principles and practical application of Grounding and Bonding in Electrical Systems, participants will be prepared to ensure the highest levels of safety, reliability, and compliance in diverse electrical environments, from industrial plants to commercial buildings and utility infrastructure.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Electrical Engineers
• Electricians and Electrical Installers
• Maintenance Technicians
• Safety Officers and Managers
• Electrical Inspectors
• Consulting Engineers
• Project Managers for Electrical Installations
• Power System Technicians
• Renewable Energy System Installers
• Data Center Engineers

Objectives

• Understand the fundamental principles and purpose of grounding and bonding.
• Learn about the differences between grounding and bonding and their synergistic roles.
• Acquire skills in interpreting relevant electrical codes and standards for grounding and bonding.
• Comprehend techniques for performing soil resistivity measurements and designing earthing electrodes.
• Explore strategies for designing safe substation grounding grids to limit touch and step potentials.
• Understand the importance of bonding for lightning protection systems.
• Gain insights into grounding sensitive electronic equipment and data centers.
• Develop a practical understanding of grounding considerations for renewable energy systems.
• Learn about various types of grounding electrodes and their applications.
• Master the techniques for testing grounding systems and interpreting results.
• Acquire skills in troubleshooting common grounding and bonding deficiencies.
• Understand the safety implications of improper grounding and bonding.
• Explore specialized grounding applications (e.g., hazardous locations, hospitals).
• Develop proficiency in documenting and commissioning grounding systems.
• Prepare to design, install, and maintain compliant and effective grounding and bonding solutions.

Course Content

Module 1: Fundamentals of Grounding and Bonding

• Definition of grounding (earthing) and bonding.
• Purpose and benefits of proper grounding and bonding: safety, equipment protection, system performance.
• Difference between equipment grounding and system grounding.
• Basic concepts of fault current paths and ground fault clearing.
• Overview of relevant electrical codes and standards (e.g., NEC, IEEE 80, IEC 60364).

Module 2: Electrical Hazards and Safety Principles

• Effects of electric shock on the human body.
• Touch voltage, step voltage, and transfer voltage.
• Fibrillation current and safe limits.
• Role of grounding and bonding in limiting shock hazards.
• Arc flash and arc blast considerations related to grounding.

Module 3: System Grounding

• Definition and purpose of system grounding (neutral grounding).
• Types of system grounding: solidly grounded, ungrounded, resistance grounded (HRG, LRG), reactance grounded.
• Advantages and disadvantages of each system grounding method.
• Selection criteria for system grounding based on application.
• Grounding of low, medium, and high voltage systems.

Module 4: Equipment Grounding Conductors (EGCs) and Grounding Electrode Conductors (GECs)

• Role of Equipment Grounding Conductors (EGCs) in providing a fault current path.
• Sizing requirements for EGCs and GECs according to codes.
• Installation methods for EGCs and GECs.
• Bonding of non-current carrying metal parts.
• Understanding the grounding path from equipment to source.

Module 5: Grounding Electrodes and Electrode Systems

• Types of grounding electrodes: ground rods, plate electrodes, concrete-encased electrodes (Ufer ground), ground rings.
• Characteristics and limitations of various electrode materials and configurations.
• Requirements for multiple electrodes and interconnected electrode systems.
• Supplemental electrodes and their necessity.
• Chemical electrodes and their application.

Module 6: Soil Resistivity and Ground Electrode Resistance

• Importance of soil resistivity measurements for grounding system design.
• Methods for measuring soil resistivity: Wenner method, Schlumberger method.
• Factors affecting soil resistivity: moisture, temperature, soil composition.
• Calculation of ground electrode resistance for various electrode types.
• Impact of resistance on fault current dissipation.

Module 7: Substation Grounding Grid Design (IEEE Std 80)

• Principles of substation grounding for personnel safety.
• Design methodology for substation grounding grids to limit touch and step potentials.
• Use of software tools for grounding grid analysis and design.
• Selection of conductor size and mesh spacing.
• Practical considerations for substation grounding installation.

Module 8: Lightning Protection System (LPS) Grounding and Bonding

• Principles of lightning strike and surge protection.
• Components of a lightning protection system: air terminals, down conductors, grounding electrodes.
• Bonding requirements between LPS and electrical grounding systems.
• Equipotential bonding for lightning surges.
• Integrated grounding for power and lightning.

Module 9: Grounding and Bonding for Sensitive Electronics

• Noise and electromagnetic interference (EMI) issues.
• Clean ground vs. dirty ground concepts.
• Single-point grounding vs. multi-point grounding.
• Shielding and grounding of instrumentation cables.
• Grounding in data centers and telecommunications facilities.

Module 10: Grounding in Special Locations and Applications

• Grounding requirements for hazardous (classified) locations.
• Grounding in hospitals and healthcare facilities (isolated power systems).
• Grounding of swimming pools, fountains, and similar installations.
• Grounding for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
• Grounding of temporary electrical installations.

Module 11: Grounding for Renewable Energy Systems

• Grounding of solar PV arrays and inverters.
• Grounding of wind turbine generators and towers.
• Grounding for battery energy storage systems (BESS).
• Challenges and specific requirements for grounding distributed generation.
• DC grounding vs. AC grounding in hybrid systems.

Module 12: Testing of Grounding Systems

• Methods for measuring ground electrode resistance: Fall-of-Potential method (3-point), Clamp-on method.
• Measuring soil resistivity (revisit application).
• Continuity testing of grounding conductors and bonds.
• Interpretation of test results and troubleshooting.
• Frequency domain and transient testing of grounding systems.

Module 13: Troubleshooting Grounding and Bonding Deficiencies

• Identifying common grounding and bonding problems: open grounds, inadequate sizing, high resistance connections.
• Symptoms of poor grounding: nuisance trips, equipment malfunction, safety hazards.
• Using specialized test equipment for diagnostics.
• Remedial actions for correcting grounding issues.
• Case studies of grounding-related failures and solutions.

Module 14: Practical Installation and Maintenance Practices

• Proper termination techniques for grounding conductors.
• Use of exothermic welding vs. mechanical connectors.
• Inspection and maintenance schedule for grounding systems.
• Corrosion prevention for electrodes and connections.
• Documentation of grounding system installations and test results.

Module 15: Advanced Concepts and Future Trends

• Grounding for smart grids and microgrids.
• High-frequency grounding and EMI mitigation.
• Role of grounding in power quality improvement.
• Impact of new materials and technologies on grounding design.
• International harmonization of grounding standards.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.