Inexpensive, Electrical Power System Ground Bars
Inexpensive, Electrical Power System Ground Bars
Ground bars are bars made of tin, tin plated, copper, steel or a mixture of both steel and copper. They are used to equalize electrical current, by re-directing excess currents passing through electrical equipment, thus providing the necessary safety factor. Because they are grounded to the earth, a ground bar is able to divert the excess energy into the ground. A ground bar creates an equipotential plane acting as a buffer between equipment, and the operators.
Ground bars come in standard sizes of 12- 100 mm diameter range. Their sizes can, however, be customized to fit the requirements of the customer. The degree of roughness of ground bars also varies. Ground bars can be grouped or classified in many different ways: They can be classified according to mounting brackets, accompanying insulators, and the material of which they are made.
The type of ground bar to use is determined by a large number of factors. One of the factors is the type of soil under which the ground bar will operate. Different soil types are compatible with different materials; therefore, it is important that the appropriate ground bar be chosen for the appropriate soil type. If the ground bar will be used in an outdoor environment where it is prone to rusting, it is important that a resistant ground bar is used. Tin ground bars are most suitable for such environments since they are less vulnerable to corrosion and rust.
The installation of ground bars is a complex process, and determining where to place a ground bar can be challenging. It is also hard to know whether or not a ground bar has been properly installed: This can only be determined after a power surge has occurred, and any installation mistakes will become apparent.
With the increase of wireless telecommunication the concern of the potentiality of harm, resulting from electrical surges has also grown. This has resulted in manufacturers of wireless equipment developing a method of grounding called bonding. This method involves the interconnection of all surfaces that are conductive, and should not be energized, in order to prevent them from misdirecting output. These interconnected surfaces are, therefore, bonded with materials which prevent impedance of the flow of energy. This way, variances in electrical charges are prevented from developing among different metallic planes, protecting the equipment and the operators from electrical surges.
As a safety measure, it is important that an industry buys only those grounding bars that have been ISO 9001 certified. This certification ensures that the ground bars meet all the set standards, therefore making them safe for installation. It is also advisable that companies employ the services of specialized workers to do the installation of ground bars to reduce the probability of fatal errors.
Ground bars are inexpensive, and they serve a very crucial purpose in a company. It is important that every industry install ground bars to protect their equipment from power surges. It is also crucial to ensure that the chosen bars have the proper characteristics for working in the given environment.
