improper grounding still causing deaths

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All service installations require grounding and bonding.

All service installations require grounding and bonding.

I don't know whether the KBR built buildings have 3 wire or two wire service but even if we assume they have two wire 240 volt service with no grounded conductor as is typical for Europe, these services still require that the transformer neutral be low impedance earth grounded that the service be earth grounded and that the two grounds be bonded. Also an equipment ground is required to be run to all circuits and that this be bonded. Electrocution is still possible unless bathroom branch circuits are not differential voltage (GFCI) protected. I suspect-as I have seen in the Middle East where I worked as an inspector-that the generator(s) were mounted on a trailer and that the neutral was frame grounded. The trailer was itself not earth grounded. This allows the neutral to float above earth reference and causing a current in the equipment ground or any earth grounded appliance. Generators are wound the same as transformers or motors, y or delta, and have a neutral connection that should be earth grounded if it is to supply residential services. there is a difference between using a generator as a residential electrical service and using it as a portable welder.
 
Its sad. There are several guys out in Iraq on this forum, and they all tell a similar story.

The wiring system used is approximately a TT system, which is adequately safe, provided their features and limitations are understood, and in particular the need to provide RCD (a/k/a GFCI) protection. TT without RCD is unthinkable.
 
I have read the New York Times articles. The reality is people here just do not undertand G and B. KBR (in IRAQ) lacks qualified personell to install and mantain these installtions and the QA is done by people with NO electrical background. Plus, often, we do not have proper materials. There is very few real electrcians that want to come to Iraq and work 12 hours a day for 84K per year. The problems will continue. It would happen more, but often times the earth is so dry here when people come in contact with something energised (because it's not properly bonded) they do not get shocked. It's really a sad situation. It's common place to have leaders with no lisence at all.
 
It seems to me that most deaths by electrocution are from improper grounding. I really have a hard time understanding the anti grounding mentality that I have run across. When grounding is done properly There is usually never a problem. Btw both or those hyper links have been removed by someone so I could not read them.
 
I think it is a little misleading to blame improper grounding for these deaths. improper grounding may well have not protected them when it should have, but the hazardous condition was not created because of the lack of grounding.
 
The money paid to the people who did this faulty job probably fits some definition of "blood money."
 
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