ERICO Practical Guide to Electrical Grounding - Manual (Page 126)

119 Definitions
DEFINITIONS
Air Terminal: That component of a lightning protection
system that is intended to intercept lightning flashes,
(commonly known as lightning rod). NFPA 780 [3]
Bonding: The permanent joining of metallic parts to form
an electrically conductive path that will ensure electrical
continuity and the capacity to conduct safely any current
likely to be imposed. NEC100 [1]
An electrical connection between an electrically conductive
object and a component of a lightning protection system
that is intended to significantly reduce potential differences
created by lightning currents. NFPA 780 [3]
Bonding Conductor: A conductor intended to be used for
potential equalization between grounded metal boxes and
the lightning protection system. NFPA 780 [3]
Bonding Jumper: A reliable conductor to ensure the
required electrical conductivity between metal parts
required to be electrically connected. NEC 100 [1]
Bonding Jumper, Main: The connection between the
grounded circuit conductor (neutral) and the equipment
grounding conductor at the service. NEC 100 [1]
Current-Carrying Part: A conducting part intended to be
connected in an electrical circuit to a source of voltage.
Noncurrent-carrying parts are those not intended to be so
connected. ANSI C2 [5]
Earth: The conductive mass of the earth, whose electric
potential at any point is conventionally taken as equal to
zero. (In some countries the term “ground” is used instead
of “earth”. ITU K27 [2]. (Also see ground.)
Earth Electrode: A conductive part or a group of
conductive parts in intimate contact with and providing an
electrical connection with earth. ITU K27 [2]
Earthing Conductor: A protective conductor connecting
the main earthing terminal or bar to the earth electrode. ITU
K27 [2] (Also see grounding electrode conductor.)
Earthing Network: The part of an earthing installation that
is restricted to the earth electrodes and their intercon-
nections. ITU K27 [2]
Ground: A conducting connection, whether intentional or
accidental, between an electrical circuit or equipment and
the earth, or to some conducting body that serves in place
of the earth. NEC 100 [1] (Also see Earth.)
Ground Grid: A system of grounding electrodes
consisting of interconnected bare cables buried in the earth
to provide a common ground. UL96A [4]
Ground terminal: The portion of the lightning protection
system such as a ground rod, ground plate, or ground
conductor, that is installed for the purpose of providing
electrical contact with the earth. NFPA 780 [3]
Grounded: Connected to earth or to some conducting body
that serves in place of the earth. NEC 100 [1]
Connected to earth or some conducting body that is
connected to earth. NFPA 780 [3]
Grounded Conductor: A system or circuit conductor that
is intentionally grounded. NEC 100 [1] (Also see Neutral
Conductor.)
Grounded, Effectively: Intentionally connected to earth
through a ground connection or connections of sufficiently
low impedance and having sufficient current-carrying
capacity to prevent the buildup of voltages that may result
in undue hazards to connected equipment or to persons.
NEC 100 [1]
Grounding Conductor: A conductor used to connect
equipment or the grounded circuit of a wiring system to a
grounding electrode or electrodes. NEC 100 [1]
Grounding Conductor, Equipment: The conductor used
to connect the noncurrent-carrying metal parts of
equipment, raceways and other enclosures to the system
grounded conductor, the grounding electrode conductor, or
both, at the service equipment or at the source of a
separately derived system. NEC 100 [1] (Green wire)
Grounding Electrode Conductor: The conductor used to
connect the grounding electrode to the equipment
grounding conductor, to the grounded conductor, or to both,
of the circuit at the service equipment or at the source of a
separately derived system. NEC 100 [1] (Also see Earthing
Conductor.)
Grounding Book 4/14/99 10/5/99 6:02 PM Page 119 (Black plate)