PE earthing in the USA (was questions about SLIC)

[owner-emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org]

Hi John:


>   Yes, different national conditions. In Scandinavia there are two
>   'earthing' problems, AIUI. One is that many buildings still don't have
>   PEC wiring, and the other is that there is very poor ground conductivity
>   in some large regions, due to volcanic rocks. (But that may apply in
>   some US states as well.) 

Yes, the USA does have volcanic rocks in
some regions.

However, earthing of the mains system in
the USA does not rely on the earth as a
current-carrying conductor.  We always 
have a copper conductor to complete the
PE circuit.  Consequently, ground 
conductivity is not a concern.

A copper ground rod is driven into the 
ground at the electrical service entrance 
to each building.  The neutral is 
connected to this ground rod.  

The PE conductor is connected to the 
neutral in the electrical panel 
immediately next to the ground rod.


Best regards,
Rich






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