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HO M E > B A SI C S > B O NDI NG & GRO U NDI NG > THE SHO C K I NG TRU TH A B O U T GRO U NDI NG ELEC TRO DE C O NDU C TO RS

The Shocking Truth About Grounding Electrode EC&M Learning Center

Conductors
Edward J. Osoliniec, P.E., Engineering Consult ant | Electrical Construction and Nov 1, 2006
2014 Changes to the NEC DVD
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Have you done any service work lately, and noticed a spark as you connect or reconnect the grounding
electrode conductor to the ground rod of what appeared to be a perfectly normal electric service? Have you
Changes to The NEC 2014
ever disconnected the grounding electrode conductor at a water pipe and received a shock? Have you ever
Don't let the scale of the code changes
noticed any arcing or sparking at a loose grounding electrode conductor at an outbuilding
intimidate you, this book w ill get you up

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Have you done any service work lately, and noticed a spark
as you connect or reconnect the grounding electrode The Electrician's Trade
conductor to the ground rod of what appeared to be a Demystified
Written in a step-by-step format, this
perfectly normal electric service? Have you ever
practical guide describes the typical
disconnected the grounding electrode conductor at a water
licensing process, w hich varies by
pipe and received a shock? Have you ever noticed any region, and...
arcing or sparking at a loose grounding electrode conductor
at an outbuilding that has a connection to its own separate
ground rod? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the culprit is more than
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likely currents in the grounding electrode conductor.

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<b>Fig. 1.</b> Open neutral w ith grounding

electrode serving as return current path.

Although electricians often attribute these phenomena to phantom currents or some

sort of mysterious phase imbalance, the condition is usually due to a much different
source. Many times, grounding electrode conductors regularly carry current. Many
electricians assume the only time there will be current in a grounding electrode conductor
for a properly wired system is during a fault. This assumption is usually based on the
definitions presented in Art. 250 of the NEC, specifically the interpretations and
misinterpretations of 250.2.

The requirements of 250.2 tell us that an effective ground fault current path is, An
intentionally constructed, permanent, low-impedance electrically conductive path
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<B>Fig. 2.</b> Current returns through all paths,

not just the path of least resistance.

Although this section of the Code clearly describes the function of proper bonding,
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particularly for low-voltage systems, use of the word ground in the definition
sometimes gives the impression that the grounding electrode conductor is part of the
fault-clearing path, and that the currents are only temporary, lasting only until an
overcurrent protective device opens the circuit. With that assumption, and based on that
incorrect interpretation, many electricians assume that in a properly functioning
electrical system, currents in grounding electrode conductors are only present during
faults and only for a very short time. Although further examination of 250.4(A)(5) 2014 Allegro Industries A-750
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should make it clear that the earth shall not be considered an effective ground-fault
current path, misconceptions persist.

The case of the open neutral. In a properly functioning electrical system, the neutral
conductor carries the imbalance current of the system. For a single-phase system, the
imbalance is the difference between the currents in the two hot legs of the transformer.
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For a 3-phase system, the neutral current is the imbalance between all three hot phases.
To further clarify this point, let's review an example, starting with the review of a single-
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phase 120/240V system.

The current imbalance needs to return via the neutral conductor back to the transformer. E-MA IL:

But, if that neutral is open, the imbalance current will seek other paths to get back to the
neutral leg of the transformer. At the main service, the neutral and ground are connected
via the main bonding jumper. If the ground path has a low enough resistance, it may
prove to be a satisfactory return path, and the imbalance current will travel through the
main bonding jumper into the grounding electrode. Since the transformer neutral is
grounded by the utility, and since the main bonding jumper connects the neutral and
grounding conductor at the service, as per NEC requirements, the ground path provides a
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<B>Fig. 3.</b> An open neutral in a neighboring

building, show n on the right. The im balance
current from the neighboring building finds a path
back through the w ater pipe in com m on to both
buildings, and up through the grounding electrode
conductor of the building on the left.

Many times, the first clue to finding an open neutral in your system is to measure a
potential difference at the various loads in a building. With the absence of a neutral
conductor (or a high-resistance return path), there is no path for the imbalance current
to return back to the source. When the neutral is open, and there is no return path at all,
the entire system becomes a 240V series system. In the case of an open neutral, when the
ground path is of high resistance, the open neutral becomes evident as the voltage
difference between the phases. In the case of an open neutral with a low-resistance
ground path, the open neutral may never be detected. Currents may continue to travel
this path for years until an unsuspecting person opens the ground circuit, potentially
placing them in harm's way.

Typically during a service upgrade project, you're likely to disconnect the old grounding
electrode conductor and replace it with a new conductor properly sized for the upgraded
service and the new service ampacity requirements. Y ou may also find yourself
disconnecting a grounding electrode conductor during routine repair work or electrical
system maintenance. It's at this point in the work process that you can expose yourself to
a dangerous or potentially fatal shock (Fig. 1 on page C14).

The path of least resistance. All of us in the electrical industry have been conditioned
with the phrase current travels through the path of least resistance. But is this really
true? Some people conclude that when there are multiple paths for current to flow,
current only flows through the path of least resistance. However, a more accurate
description of current flow back to the source is that the majority of current flows
through the path of least resistance, and less current flows through paths of higher
resistance (Fig. 2 on page C16). Given multiple paths back to the source, current will
flow through all paths to reach its destination, with the majority of current flowing
through the path of least resistance.

<B>Fig. 4.</b> Building on right has open neutral.

Im balance current returns via cable television
coaxial jacket to building on left, and then to
transform er.

Almost every electrical system has multiple grounding electrodes; ground rods, water
pipes, building steel, etc., with a grounding electrode conductor to each. A service with
multiple grounding electrode conductors that has a higher resistance on one of the
conductors, and little or no measurable current in it, may still have significant current in
the other grounding electrode conductors. Therefore, measuring the current in the
conductor going to the ground rod and proving it safe does not mean there is a safe
current level in the conductor going to the water pipe.

Your neighbor's problem is now your problem. Let's take a look at another
example. This time you're working in a building or a house, and you're sure there is a
continuous neutral. Y ou look at the service entrance conductors, and don't see any
breaks. Everything appears to be in good condition, including the neutral conductor and
all neutral connections. Y ou are convinced that since there have been no complaints
about fluctuating voltages, or any other indications of an open neutral, that a neutral
problem at this building doesn't exist. Y ou even go as far as measuring current in the
neutral, and convince yourself that since there is current in the neutral conductor, there
can't be an open neutral. This leads you to have no fear of opening up any grounding
electrode conductors. Is this a safe assumption?

Even though the building you're working on may have a completely continuous neutral
back to the transformer, the house next door or a building somewhere in the general
vicinity may have an open neutral. If the building you're working in and the building
with an open neutral have some type of conductive path between them, current may
return via that path. A metal water pipe is a good example of such a connection. Current
can come up through a ground rod or a water pipe into the building you're working on,
due to an open neutral in a neighboring building. Figure 3 on page C16 illustrates this
condition. The metal water pipe common to the buildings has such a low resistance, that
it may not be apparent at the building with the open neutral that there is a problem. The
current exits the building with the open neutral through the metallic pipes and finds its
way back up through the grounding electrode conductors in your building. Any grounded
electrically conductive path between buildings can serve as a return path for current for a
building with an open neutral.

The grounded coaxial braid in the jacket of cable television drops can also serve as return
paths for the neutral imbalance current from a building with an open neutral (Fig. 4).
Cable television systems should be grounded as they enter the premises as per Art. 680 of
the NEC. Since the cable television connection blocks typically get grounded directly to
the same grounding electrodes that the electric service uses (or they have their own
separate grounding electrode, and that electrode gets bonded to the electrical system
grounding electrode), this can become a return path. However, this situation is quite rare,
since the ampacity of the return current tends to burn out the coaxial cable). Nonetheless,
it can still exist and create a hazard.

Is the current coming or going? So now you're convinced that there can be current
flowing in a grounding electrode conductor. Next time you're on-the-job, use your
ammeter to measure the current in the grounding electric conductor before you open up
that connection. If you measure a current, how do you know if it's due to current going
down into the ground at this building or current coming up through the grounding
electrode conductor in your building and returning back to the source via your neutral?

Unfortunately, putting an ammeter on the conductor will only prove that there is current
flowing in the conductor. It does not tell you the direction of that current. Y ou must use
Kirchoff's Law to determine the direction of the current flow. Kirchoff's Law states that all
currents entering a connection are equal to the currents leaving a connection. Simply put,
all currents must balance. Let's look at a couple of examples for clarification.

Example No. 1. Y ou're working on a single-phase, 120/240V service. Y ou measure 11A

in the black conductor at the main service panel. Y ou measure 5A in the red conductor at
the main service panel. On a single-phase service, the neutral current is the difference
between the two legs of the transformer, which in this case is 6A. Therefore, if you
measure 6A in the grounding electrode conductor and 0A in the neutral service entrance
conductor, you can be relatively certain that the neutral is open, and your building is
dumping current into an alternate return path (i.e. the grounding electrode).

Example No. 2. Y ou're working on a single-phase, 120/240V service. Y ou measure 11A

in the black conductor at the main service panel. Y ou measure 5A in the red conductor at
the main service panel. As in the first example, the neutral current will be the difference
between the two legs of the transformer, which is 6A. However, this time you measure 8A
in the grounding electrode conductor. How can this be? Can there possibly be more
current being dumped into the ground by the system you're working on than the system
imbalance current? Are there 2A of extra phantom current? When you measure the
current in the neutral, you find 14A. Now you're really confused. Applying Kirchoff's Law
to the circuit, you quickly realize that the 6A of current imbalance from the system you're
working on is being joined with 8A coming into this system from somewhere else.

Final thoughts. Neutral current will return to its source via any means possible. That
return path could be through a conductor or connection that may seem unlikely to you,
such as a grounding electrode conductor.

As electrical services in some neighborhoods around the country age and the likelihood
of an open neutral is more probable as well as in areas with high population density
where at least one open neutral may exist neutral currents seeking return paths
through what may be considered unconventional means become more likely. In any and
all cases, shock hazards can exist with all electrical conductors, including grounding
electrode conductors.

Osoliniec is a private consulting engineer located in Warren, N.J. He is a licensed

professional engineer and electrical contractor in the state of New Jersey.

Things to Consider
 Never assume that a grounding electrode conductor is dead, or you may be.

If there is no current in one of the grounding electrode conductors, this doesn't mean
there is no grounding electrode current flowing somewhere in the system. Treat all
grounding electrode connection points individually.

Always assume the grounding electrode conductor is hot, and treat it as such, until
proven otherwise.

Even though the system you're working on may be functioning correctly, and have a
good neutral, a dangerous condition may still exist if there is an open neutral in a
neighboring building.

Even if the main circuit breaker in the building you're working in is open, as long as
the neutral provides a path for that imbalanced current, current can be flowing up
through your grounding electrodes, and back through your neutral.

Current can come into the system you're working on from a local faulty system.

The neutral in the building you're working on was sized for its own service, not for
additional current from another service. If a neighboring building has an open or
faulty neutral, it may affect the system you're working on.

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Discuss this Article 6

m&m elect ric (not verif ied) on Feb 2 8 , 2 0 1 3

Although I consider my self an electrical genius I learned

alot from this article. I'am currently dealing with this ex act problem which I would of
thought to be simple,but in reality has been quite perplex ing. I nev er considered an
open neutral nearby could cause ground current flow in my sy stem. Thank y ou. And
furtheremore I will now be ex tra careful as the serv ice ground in this residence is
carry ing sev eral amps.

Logi n or r egi st er t o post com m en t s

Anony mous (not verif ied) on A pr 1 5 , 2 0 1 3

We hav e a lot of problems with grounding a supply transformer. Why we need to ground
a current carry ing conductor (neutral) in a supply transformer? I see in that only loss of
energy . For safty ground only a transformer case. Same should be done for power panel
in a building.

Logi n or r egi st er t o post com m en t s

Anony mous (not verif ied) on Ma y 6 , 2 0 1 3

Dear coleague:
If the neutral is not grounded, a v oltage between phases and ground will be floating.
The amount of such difference could be enough to damage electronic equipment
connected to the sy stem. The same applies to the power panel in a building.
Hope this clarify y our question.

Logi n or r egi st er t o post com m en t s

Anony mous (not verif ied) on Ju n 1 , 2 0 1 3

Good stuff, I'm a GC, and this ty pe of ex ploitation really helps to see the big pic on
neutral & grounding

Logi n or r egi st er t o post com m en t s

Anony mous (not verif ied) on Ju n 3 , 2 0 1 3

 ex planation, not ex ploitation, oops

Logi n or r egi st er t o post com m en t s

Mike Muras on Ma y 3 0 , 2 0 1 4

I hav e test instrument readings of, and witnessed this occurrence at homes right nex t to
each other, such as this Article describes. I am now working in the field with a new
perspectiv e, caution, & alertness.

Logi n or r egi st er t o post com m en t s

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