Wiring the S7-400

4.9

Grounding

Introduction
Grounding in accordance with regulations and conscientiously implemented is the
prerequisite for proper functioning of a programmable controller.
Each individual component of the S7-400 and of the controlled system must be
properly grounded.

Ground Connections
Low-resistance ground connections reduce the risk of electric shock in the event of
a short-circuit or faults in the system. Moreover, proper grounding (low-impedance
connections: large surface area, wide-area bonding) together with the effective
shielding of lines and devices reduces the effect of interference on the system and
the interference signal emissions.
Note
Always ensure that operating currents do not flow via ground.

Protective Ground
All equipment of Safety Class I and all large metal parts must be connected to the
protective ground. This is essential to ensure that the user of the installation is
reliably protected from electric shock.
Furthermore, this serves to discharge interference transferred via external power
supply cables, signal cables, or cables to I/O devices.
Shown in Table 4-2 are the grounding methods required for the individual
components.
Table 4-2

Methods of Protective Grounding

Device

Grounding Method

Cabinet/frame

Connection to central ground point, e.g. ground bus, via

cable with protective conductor quality

Racks

Connection to central ground point via cable with

10 mm2 min. cross-section, when racks are not installed in a
cabinet and not interconnected via large metal parts

Module

None; automatically grounded via backplane bus when fitted

I/O device

Grounded via power plug

Shields of connecting
cables

Connection to rack or central ground point (avoid ground

loops)

Sensors and actuators

Grounding according to specifications applying to the

system

Automation System S7-400 Hardware and Installation

A5E00850741-01

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Wiring the S7-400

Connecting the Load Voltage Ground

Many output modules require an additional load voltage to switch the actuators.
Two different modes are possible for this load voltage:
Non-isolated operation
Floating operation
The following table shows how the load voltage ground is connected in the
individual modes.
Table 4-3

Grounded connection load voltage

Mode

Connection of Load Voltage

Non-isolated operation

Grounded configuration

to the reference point of the rack; metallic connection

between frame element and chassis ground must be
fitted.

Ungrounded configuration

to the reference point of the rack; metallic connection

between frame element and chassis ground must be
fitted.

Floating operation

Grounded and ungrounded

configuration

Left open or to any point, but not to protective ground

or reference potential M of operating voltages

The following figure shows how the load voltage ground is connected for
non-isolated operation.

Metallic connection, remove for

ungrounded configuration

Ground terminal for

load voltage

Figure 4-7 Grounded connection load voltage

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Automation System S7-400 Hardware and Installation

A5E00850741-01