Insulated vs. Bare Ground Wire Application

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Insulated vs. Bare Ground Wire Application

Bare ground conductors comprise the grounding system. In manufacturing and industrial environments, #2/0 and #4/0 bare soft drawn copper, referred to as grounding electrode conductors in the NEC, interconnect all the grounding electrodes (Ground rods & bars, structural steel, rebar, etc.) per NEC section 250.50.

NEC 250.50.jpg

Insulated #4/0 bare copper conductors usually are used for DCS and PLC control system isolated ground systems. The insulated conductor is tapped from a ground rod triad, and the triad connects the control system ground to the main plant grounding grid/system. This insulated conductor normally terminates on an isolated ground bar. Insulated #6 or #8 are connected from the isolated ground bar and routed to control panel isolated/instrument ground bars to minimize noise and interference. These connections would be similar to the way the grounded conductor or neutral is treated, or an isolated ground receptacle connection, where there is a dedicated insulated/isolated ground routed from the source.

Respectfully,

Christopher D. Staker, PE
Atlanta, Georgia
 
chrisstaker said:
Bare ground conductors comprise the grounding system. In manufacturing and industrial environments, #2/0 and #4/0 bare soft drawn copper, referred to as grounding electrode conductors in the NEC, interconnect all the grounding electrodes (Ground rods & bars, structural steel, rebar, etc.) per NEC section 250.50.

View attachment 20573

Insulated #4/0 bare copper conductors usually are used for DCS and PLC control system isolated ground systems. The insulated conductor is tapped from a ground rod triad, and the triad connects the control system ground to the main plant grounding grid/system. This insulated conductor normally terminates on an isolated ground bar. Insulated #6 or #8 are connected from the isolated ground bar and routed to control panel isolated/instrument ground bars to minimize noise and interference. These connections would be similar to the way the grounded conductor or neutral is treated, or an isolated ground receptacle connection, where there is a dedicated insulated/isolated ground routed from the source.

Respectfully,

Christopher D. Staker, PE
Atlanta, Georgia
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Please help us understand what an insulated #4/0 bare copper conductor is.:)
 
we require a bare gnd in cables
if a single phase insul is damaged it will likely trip (if the gnd was insul it likely would not)
this help prevent shock when cable handling (and the person becomes the gnd path)
 
kwired said:
Please help us understand what an insulated #4/0 bare copper conductor is.:)
Click to expand...

Sounds like a contradiction of terms. I think "bare" in this context refers to the lack of a tin coating, as opposed to a lack of insulation. Not exactly the best choice of words, as uncoated is more specific when talking about the lack of a metal coating/cladding.
 
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