[ Index ]
[ Index ]
The Grounding Electrode System (GES) is the total system of grounding electrodes and conductors that are relied upon by the ESE to connect to the Earth. This includes the entire scope of conductive surfaces, devices, and parts of the facility that are identified and deliberately used as grounding electrodes. Because they are directly bonded and connected to the GES, even conductive pathways such as electrical conduit and raceways that transport the GEC from the ESE to the GES are considered to be a part of the GES.
A GES will include the GEC and other conductors like structural steel, water main piping, made grounds such as grounding rods and grounding rings in buried trenches.
While there may be several grounding electrodes within it, the GES serves as the vertex of the grounding cone of protection for a facility. Any voltage differences between grounding electrodes are resolved by the GES, leaving only one voltage to pass to the ESE along the GEC.
The GES shares ground current with the facility on a real-time basis (at speeds of 0.6c to 1c) via the GEC.
The Grounding Electrode System is the only interface between the ESE and the Earth.
The GES is comprised of all grounding electrodes that serve the facility, and includes the GEC and conductive pathways.
The GES acts as the vertex of a primary grounding cone of protection (GCP) at a facility served with electrical power.
[ Index ]
