ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by gfretwell - 03/28/24 12:43 AM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (Scott35), 272 guests, and 11 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#201641 06/14/11 05:01 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 241
S
SJT Offline OP
Member
There is an industrial building with a 480V open delta service. Is it common to run 3 phase, without an Equipment ground? I had an electrical engineer tell me the equipment ground is not needed because if a leg hits ground, it would not trip the breaker until a second phase also grounds out. The situation is a cable tray with just the 3 phase conductors in it, and then conduit will be ran to a 200 amp disconnect.
The NEC wants us to run equipment grounds in all systems, right?
Is it a poor design, not to have an Equipment ground?
Thanks - SJT

Stay up to Code with the Latest NEC:


>> 2023 NEC & Related Reference & Exam Prep
2023 NEC & Related Reference & Study Guides

Pass Your Exam the FIRST TIME with the Latest NEC & Exam Prep

>> 2020 NEC & Related Reference & Study Guides
 

SJT #201644 06/14/11 05:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,445
Likes: 2
Cat Servant
Member
The EE needs to be reminded that he's not an electrician, and that the NEC is not in the college curriculum.

For nearly any circuit (power cords to double-insulated tools being the only exception I can think of), we need a ground or fault path. Things still need to be bonded together.

For a branch circuit, the conduit can be the fault path. For a feeder or service, you need a wire.

Otherwise, you have the possibility of one piece of equipment becoming energized by 'phase A' and another being energized by 'phase B." Without bonding, this double fault will exist untol the two pieces are connected - maybe by you. Who want's to be nicnamed "Fuseboy?" laugh

BTW, you have an 'ungrounded Delta.' An 'open Delta' is a three-phase system with only two transformers. Yes, it is possible to have an ungrounded, open Delta system.

SJT #201646 06/14/11 05:32 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
Are you talking about "open" as in 2 transformers or "ungrounded" delta.

Even in ungrounded delta you need the EGC connecting to ground and bonding all non-current carrying conductive materials.
250.4(B)(1)&(2)

Quote
(B) Ungrounded Systems.
(1) Grounding Electrical Equipment. Non–current-carrying conductive materials enclosing electrical conductors or equipment, or forming part of such equipment, shall be connected to earth in a manner that will limit the voltage imposed by lightning or unintentional contact with higher-voltage lines and limit the voltage to ground on these materials.
(2) Bonding of Electrical Equipment. Non–current-carrying conductive materials enclosing electrical conductors or equipment, or forming part of such equipment, shall be connected together and to the supply system grounded equipment in a manner that creates a low-impedance path for ground-fault current that is capable of carrying the maximum fault current likely to be imposed on it.



Greg Fretwell
SJT #201650 06/14/11 09:38 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 241
S
SJT Offline OP
Member
This is an ungrounded Delta. The source (Distribution Panel) is approx. 200' away. From that, they ran 3 - 4/0's ungrounded conductors, 480v and no equipment ground in a tray that is bonded to Bldg. steel.
These were ran to a small Bldg. that will be removed. They want to splice the conductors in the cable tray and continue them to another small Bldg. In the Bldg. there will be a trough and 2 disconnects that will be mounted.
This would be considered a feeder to the Bldg. and not a service. There is a grounding electrode at the Bldg. steel.
Would it be to code, if I were to run a #4 from the new disconnects to the Bldg. steel, to create an equipment ground? Or must I run a #4 back into the tray and back to the source with the feeders, (200'away)which they should have done from the get-go.
SJT

SJT #201651 06/14/11 10:01 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 787
L
Member
Could it be a Corner grounded delta?

SJT #201658 06/15/11 12:28 AM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
I suppose as long as you are connected to the grounding electrode (building steel) you have complied with 250.4 as long as the building steel is continuously bonded together.
I would say you size that with 250.122


Greg Fretwell
SJT #201689 06/17/11 02:48 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 1
Broom Pusher and
Member
Just for fun... here are some of the many, many, many Flavors for Delta Configurations!!! yay clap
(only 3 Phase 3 Wire Deltas shown here)

[Linked Image]
Figure #1-1: 3 Phase 3 Wire Open Delta "VEE" - Center Tap Grounded.
........................................................................................................................

[Linked Image]
Figure #1-2: 3 Phase 3 Wire Open Delta "VEE" - Corner Grounded (Phase "B").
........................................................................................................................

[Linked Image]
Figure #1-3: 3 Phase 3 Wire Open Delta "VEE" - Ungrounded.
........................................................................................................................
__________________________________________________________________________________


[Linked Image]
Figure #2-1: 3 Phase 3 Wire Closed Delta - Center Tap Grounded.
........................................................................................................................

[Linked Image]
Figure #2-2: 3 Phase 3 Wire Closed Delta - Corner Grounded (Phase "B").
........................................................................................................................

[Linked Image]
Figure #2-3: 3 Phase 3 Wire Closed Delta - Ungrounded.
........................................................................................................................

_END OF DRAWINGS_

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Each of these systems needs the Metallic Equipment bonded to a Grounding Electrode System - including the Ungrounded version.

The EE was mistaken in the description:

Quote

I had an electrical engineer tell me the equipment ground is not needed because if a leg hits ground, it would not trip the breaker until a second phase also grounds out.


First thing to do with a statement like this;
Remove any references to
"Not Needing an Equipment Grounding Conductor"
being
"OK"
bash

What occurs with an L-G Fault on an Ungrounded System is:

1: With properly Bonded Metallic Raceways / Equipment:, the first L-G Fault results in the System becoming a Corner Grounded Delta,

2: System will function properly; there will be no indication of any Circuitry issues experienced by the connected Loads (Lighting and Motors will function normally),

3: Ground Monitoring Lamp Array will indicate the L-G Fault. The Lamp on the Faulted Conductor will now be dark, and the remaining Two Lamps will be bright (previously, all 3 Lamps had dim light output),

4: If / When one of the remaining Two Phase Lines becomes Ground Faulted (2nd L-G Fault), an Overcurrent will occur - hopefully causing the Overcurrent Protection Device (OCPD) for that Branch Circuit or Feeder to trip.

5: Ground Fault issue is now a Production issue also! wink

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grounded and Ungrounded Deltas may be either Closed (3 Transformers), or Open (2 Transformers).

Open Deltas may be:

"Vee" typical - especially for 45 KVA and larger capacity, most common Open Delta Arrangement found on Utility Poles,

or;

"Tee" typical 3 Phase 3 Wire dry type Transformer for 50 KVA and less capacities; very common for 3 Phase to 2 Phase Conversions.

So, to sum this up:
Both Grounded and Ungrounded Delta Systems require the Metallic Enclosures / Raceways to be Bonded to a local Grounding Electrode System (GES).

To understand why the Ungrounded Delta needs Bonded Enclosures and Raceways, try this simple experiment...

1: Take your High Z Input Volt Meter (AKA "Fluke DVM"), and your Low input Z Volt Meter (AKA "Wiggy" / Solenoid type Volt Meter) with you when returning to this Project.

2: Go to an accessible point on the Ungrounded System - as far from the Service as possible; something like a Disconnect Switch that may be Live tested safely.

3: Place the High input Z Meter on the Highest AC Voltage Scale.

4: Measure the Voltage between One of the Phase Lines and the Metallic Enclosures / Conduits (Raceways). Make sure the Metallic Equipment is Bonded to Earth Ground in some way (hopefully via an Equipment Grounding Conductor).

5: Measure the L-G Voltage between the remaining Two Phase Lines and Eq. Ground.

6: Measure the L-L Voltage between any Two Phase Lines.

7: Now measure L-G Voltage with the Low input Z Volt Meter.

8: Come Home, log in to ECN, pull up this thread, and tell us what the readings were!

p.s. "Z" = Impedance i.e.: Low input Impedance, High input Impedance.


-- Scott


Scott " 35 " Thompson
Just Say NO To Green Eggs And Ham!
SJT #201757 06/22/11 02:17 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 1
Broom Pusher and
Member
El-Bump'o

Any updates per this Topic??? dunno

-- Scott


Scott " 35 " Thompson
Just Say NO To Green Eggs And Ham!

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5