EC&M On Air Why Grounding Is the Foundation for Equipment Power Quality
Dec 8, 2025
Philip Keebler, a senior electrical power engineer at PBE Engineers, shares his expertise on grounding and power quality. He explains how a stable ground acts as a backup neutral to ensure minimal voltage fluctuations. Common grounding mistakes and code limits are highlighted, along with an engaging volleyball-net analogy that illustrates the importance of solid grounding connections. James also addresses the impact of harmonic currents on voltage distortion and the risks of ground loops on signal integrity, offering practical tips for verifying grounding effectiveness.
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Ground As The Backup Neutral
- Ground acts as a backup neutral to keep system neutral stable across transformers and separately derived systems.
- A stable low-impedance ground prevents neutral from floating and reduces dangerous voltage shifts.
Volleyball Net Grounding Analogy
- A building grounding system works like a tied-down net and loses strength if anchors or conductors are missing or cut.
- Weak grounding increases voltage flexibility during faults and lightning, raising malfunction and safety risk.
Ungrounded Machines In A Plastics Plant
- Philip Wadler inspected an old plastics extrusion plant where none of the 480V machines were properly grounded.
- He found makeshift repairs like electrical tape and paper clips, creating serious shock and safety hazards.