about grounds

[Warren Whiteside]

George, experienced or not, I see unclearly about grounds myself. After 
years of working under data center floors it always intrigued me how 
each electrical engineer had his own view of grounding. How much and 
where,etc: seems like they all had different ideas as to the degree 
needed. You may note that the power company has grounding tied at their 
drop down transformer secondary center tap. In older panels the 
electrical inspectors would turn a service down that didn't have the 
neutral bar bonded to ground. This separation in newer panels seems in 
the main due to the advent of GFI breakers/circuits. The point of 
reference to ground must be the governing factor. My panel has a bonded 
ground so I use GFI receptacles (in the kitchen) although I do have a 
single GFI breaker for the bathroom outlets. My house was built in 1976 
and the NEC code has changed a good bit since then. <g> Oh,btw, I was 
taught as an apprentice that the NEC code was a "minimum" of what was 
acceptable. There are portions that are exceeded (including grounding).
As to the increase in voltage from transformer to service entrance: I 
think we both agree that it is not normal.
Although I have a had a mix of electrical experience most of my work was 
industrial and light industrial. I had residential and jobbing in my 
early years and ran a jobbing/trouble truck for a local contractor. I've 
also had some experience directing the activities of other electricians 
as a foreman/general foreman. Despite all this I still never had a clear 
and uniform picture of why some grounds were needed while others might 
not. So don't feel lost in this discussion. You have experienced company<G>.

Warren