Information Technology Industry Council (ITI, formerly CBEMA)

Information Letter
GUIDELINES FOR GROUNDING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT
(ITE)

Ninety percent (90%) of the problems with Electrical code as a local requirement, but
ITE installations are internal to the facility; may have additional requirements as well.
only 10% are related to conditions on the The local electrical inspector has the power
utility electric service. Importantly, 75% of to enforce electrical code requirements
the problems arising within a facility are within his or her jurisdiction.
related to grounding making proper and
adequate grounding the single-most NEC 250-5 Alternating Current Systems to
important factor in reliable ITE system be grounded.
performance. (b) Ground AC premises wiring systems of
Purpose: To establish guidelines for 50-1000 volts under any of the
grounding of power systems and equipment following conditions:
for ITE installations. (1) Where the maximum voltage to
ground on the ungrounded
Scope: Computer room systems, distributed conductors does not exceed 150
processing systems and stand alone systems. volts;
Objective: To achieve a low impedance, (2) Where neutral is used as a circuit
common ground reference for all conductor in a 3-phase, 4-wire
interconnected ITE (Information system;
Technology Equipment) to prevent or
reduce the likelihood of: (3) Where the midpoint of one phase is
used as a circuit conductor in a 3-
1. electric shock hazard; phase, 4-wire delta connected
2. equipment damage from system;
transient voltage events; (4) Where the grounded service
3. data contamination or upset conductor is uninsulated in
from noise voltage and accordance with the Exceptions to
currents in grounding Sections 230-22, 230-30, and 230-
connections. 41.
Items 1 and 2 are typically due to low (d) Separately Derived Systems. A
frequency (<100kHz) events; item 3 is premises wiring system whose power is
typically due to high frequency (>100kHz) derived from generator, transformer, or
events. converter windings and has no direct
electrical connection, including a
Safe grounding is a legal requirement under solidly connected grounded circuit
OSHA Subchapter S encompassing the conductor (neutral), to supply
National Electrical Code (NEC) as well as conductors originating in another
state and local code statutes. system, if required to be grounded in (b)
above, shall be grounded as specified in
Safety Code Requirements. The Section 250-26.
requirements stated here are those of the
U.S. 1996 National Electrical Code (NFPA NEC 250-21 Objectionable Current over
70) most directly applicable to the Grounding Conductors.
grounding of ITE. It is not an exhaustive list.
Most jurisdictions adopt the National (b) If the use of multiple grounding
connections results in an objectionable

Page 1 Revised 2/15/97

 flow of current, one or more of the conductor (neutral). This connection
following alterations shall be made. shall be made at any point on the
separately derived system from the
(1) Discontinue one or more, but not source to the first system disconnection
all such connections; means or overcurrent device.
(2) Change the locations of the
grounding connections; A grounding electrode conductor of
appropriate size shall be used to connect
(3) Interrupt the continuity of the the grounded conductor (neutral) to the
conductor or conductive path grounding electrode. ...This connection
interconnecting the grounding shall be made at any point on the
connections; separately derived system from the
(4) Take other suitable remedial action source to the first system disconnecting
as permitted by the local means or overcurrent device....
jurisdiction. (c) The grounding electrode shall be as
near as practicable to the system to be
(d) Limitations to Permissible Alterations. grounded and shall be:
The provisions of this section shall not
be considered as permitting electronic (1) the nearest effectively grounded
equipment being operated on ac structural metal member of the
systems or branch circuits that are not structure;
grounded as required by this Article. (2) the nearest effectively grounded
Currents that introduce noise or data metal water pipe;
errors in electronic equipment shall not
be considered as the objectionable (3) other electrodes specified in 250-81
currents addressed in this section. or 250-83 where (1) and (2) above
are not available.
NEC 250-23
NEC 250-51 Effective Grounding Path. The
(a) System Grounding Connections. ....The path to ground from circuits, equipment and
grounding electrode conductor shall be metal enclosures shall (1) be permanent and
connected to the grounded conductor continuous; (2) have capacity to conduct
(neutral) at any accessible point from safely any fault current likely to be imposed
the load end of the service drop...to and on it; and (3) have sufficiently low
including the terminal or bus to which impedance to limit the voltage to ground and
the grounded service conductor is to facilitate the operation of the circuit
connected at the service disconnect.... A protection devices.
grounding connection shall not be made
to any grounded circuit conductor The earth shall not be used as the sole
(neutral) on the load side of the service equipment grounding conductor.
disconnect.
NEC 250-53 Grounding Path to Grounding
In a separately derived system, (e.g. Electrode at Services
distribution transformer) a grounding
electrode conductor shall be connected to (a) Grounding Electrode Conductor. A
the grounded conductor (neutral) in grounding electrode conductor shall be
accordance with NEC 250-26. used to connect the equipment
grounding conductors, the service
NEC 250-26 A separately derived system equipment conductors, and where the
required to be grounded by NEC 250-5 shall system is grounded, the grounded
be grounded as follows: service conductor to the grounding
electrode.
(a) A bonding jumper of appropriate size
shall connect the equipment grounding (b) Main Bonding Jumper. For a grounded
conductor (green wire) of the derived system. an unspliced main bonding
system to the derived system grounded jumper shall be used to connect the

Page 2 Revised 2/15/97

 equipment grounding conductor and the raceway containing circuits supplying
service-disconnect enclosure to the only that equipment by one or more
grounded conductor of the system at listed nonmetallic raceway fittings
each service disconnect. located at the point of attachment of the
raceway to the equipment enclosure.
NEC 250-54 Common Grounding The metal raceway shall comply with
Electrode. Where an ac system is connected the provisions of this article and shall
to a grounding electrode in or at a be supplemented by an internal
building,...the same electrode shall be used insulated equipment grounding
to ground conductor enclosures and conductor installed in accordance with
equipment in or at that building. Where Section 250-74, Exception 4 to ground
separate services supply a building and are the equipment enclosure.
required to be connected to a grounding
electrode, the same grounding electrode FPN: Use of an isolated equipment
shall be used. grounding conductor does not relieve
the requirement for grounding the
Two or more grounding electrodes that are raceway system.
effectively bonded together shall be
considered as a single grounding electrode NEC 250-81 Grounding Electrode System.
system in this sense. If available on the premises at each building
served, each of a-d below and any made
NEC 250-74 Connecting Receptacle electrodes in accordance with NEC 250-83
Grounding Terminal to Box. must be bonded together to form a
Exception 4: Where required for grounding electrode system...
the reduction of electrical noise (a) Metal underground water pipe located
(electromagnetic interference) on the less than 5 ft. from its entrance to the
grounding circuit, a receptacle in which building (when augmented by at least
the grounding terminal is purposely one of b-d below or made electrodes per
insulated from the receptacle grounding NEC 250-83);
terminal shall be grounded by an
insulated equipment grounding (b) Metal frame of the building (where
conductor run with the circuit effectively grounded);
conductors. This grounding conductor (c) Concrete encased electrode (generally
shall be permitted to pass through one formed by the rebar in the building
or more panelboards without connection foundation);
to the panelboard grounding terminal as
permitted in Section 384-20 Exception (d) Ground ring.
so as to terminate directly at an NEC 250-83 Made and Other Electrodes.
equipment grounding conductor Where none of the above are available, one
terminal of the applicable system or or more of the electrodes in b-d below shall
service. be used.
FPN: Use of an isolated equipment (a) A metal underground gas piping system
grounding conductor does not relieve shall not be used as a grounding
the requirement for grounding the electrode;
raceway system and outlet box.
(b) Other local underground systems and
NEC 250-75 Bonding Other Enclosures. structures;
Exception: Where required for the (c) Rod or pipe electrodes;
reduction of electrical noise (d) Plate electrodes.
(electromagnetic interference) on the
grounding circuit, an equipment
enclosure supplied by a branch circuit
shall be permitted to be isolated from a

Page 3 Revised 2/15/97

NEC 250-91
computer/data processing systems through
(b) The equipment grounding conductor receptacles or cable assemblies supplied as
run with or enclosing the circuit part of this equipment shall not be
conductors shall be one or more ... of considered separately derived for the
the following: (1) copper or other purpose of applying Section 250-5(d). All
corrosion resistant conductor ... exposed, noncurrent carrying metal parts of
insulated, covered or bare; solid or an electronic computer/data processing
stranded or busbar; (2) rigid metal system shall be grounded.
conduit, (3) intermediate metal conduit,
(4) electrical metallic tubing, (5) OTHER POWER SYSTEMS
flexible metal conduit and fittings
where listed for such service, (6) armor Power systems with the neutral conductor
of Type AC cable, (7) copper sheath of solidly bonded to the grounding electrode
mineral insulated metal shielded cable, conductor at an on-premises point in the
(8) metallic sheath and/or grounding distribution system, may not always be the
conductors of Type MC cable, (9) cable case particularly at locations outside North
trays as permitted in Sections 318-3(c) America. Meeting the objective of this paper
and 318-7, (10) cablebus framework as is still a requirement for acceptable system
permitted in Section 365-2(a).... performance. Follow the recommendations
as closely as possible as permitted by local
(c) Supplementary grounding electrodes or national electrical codes.
shall be permitted to augment
equipment grounding conductors Described below are five recognized power
(provided all of the NEC grounding grounding schemes. In international
conductors are installed per applicable terminology, the Grounding Conductor (G)
sections of Article 250), but earth shall is termed the “Protective Earth Conductor
not be used as the sole grounding (PE)”.
conductor. TN (Terra Neutral) Power Systems are
In other words, extra driven ground rod or those systems having one point directly
rods may be used to augment the grounding connected to Ground (Earth) by Protective
system, but if used, must be connected using Earth Conductors. There are three types of
an acceptable grounding electrode conductor TN power systems:
to other grounding electrodes listed above. TN-S (Terra Neutral-Separate) - Separate
An isolated earth ground is prohibited by the Neutral and Protective Earth conductors
NEC. exist throughout the system.
NEC 384-20 ....In panelboards, equipment
grounding conductors shall not be connected L1
to a terminal bar provided for grounded L2
conductors (neutrals) unless the bar is
identified for the purpose and is located L3
where connection is made from the
grounded conductor to a grounding N
electrode conductor as permitted by Article PE
250.
NEC 645-15 Electronic computer/data
processing equipment (in an electronic
computer/data processing room) shall be
grounded in accordance with Article 250 or Exposed Conductive Parts
double insulated. Power systems derived TN-S Power System
within listed electronic computer/data
processing equipment that supply electronic
FIGURE 1

Page 4 Revised 2/15/97

TN-C-S (Terra Neutral-Combined-Separate) L1
– Neutral and Protective Earth functions are
combined in a single conductor in part of the L2
system.
L3
L1
N
L2

L3

PEN N
PE
PE
Exposed Conductive Parts

TT Power System

FIGURE 4
Exposed Conductive Parts IT (Impedance Terra) Power Systems
TN-C-S Power System have no direct connection to Ground (Earth),
the exposed conductive parts of the
FIGURE 2 installation are directly connected to
Ground. Also called an impedance grounded
TN-C (Terra Neutral-Combined) – Neutral system.
and Protective Earth functions are combined
in a single conductor throughout the system. L1

L1 L2

L2 L3

L3 N

PEN
Impedance

PE
Exposed Conductive Parts

IT Power System
Exposed Conductive Parts

TN-C Power System

FIGURE 5
FIGURE 3
TT (Terra Terra) Power Systems are those
having one point directly connected to
Ground (Earth), but the exposed conductive
parts of the installation are connected to
grounding electrodes independent of the
grounding electrodes of the power system.

Page 5 Revised 2/15/97

 GROUNDING METHODS
General 6. When IT equipment is served by a
separately derived system (such as a
1. In panelboards up to 100A serving transformer), that system should be
IT equipment, an insulated grounding grounded with the neutral-ground bond
conductor the same size and run in the same made as in Figure 6A. IT equipment uses
raceway as the feeder conductors should be the equipment grounding conductor as a
used. In panelboards >100A, size the logic reference and that reference must
insulated grounding conductor in accordance be stable. For all applications, it is
with NEC Table 250-95, except the preferred that distance "D" be as short as
grounding conductor should never be possible.
smaller than #4.
FIGURE 6-A
If the panelboard is not the point where
neutral and equipment ground are RECOMMENDED
connected, then separate neutral and Separately Derived System Panelboard
equipment ground buses must be used. Enclosure
Conduit
1st System Disconnect

2. Metal raceways (conduits, etc.)

should not be used as the sole grounding
N
conductor for ITE circuits. An insulated
equipment grounding conductor is always G
recommended for feeder circuits and branch
circuits serving IT equipment. D
NEC 250-26(c)
Grounding Electrode
3. IT equipment should be powered
from dedicated branch circuits wherever
possible. A dedicated branch circuit not only
FIGURE 6-B
has its own breaker, but also its own
grounding conductor (ground) and grounded NOT
conductor (neutral) if used; neither of which RECOMMENDED
is to be shared with other circuits. Separately Derived System Panelboard
Enclosure 1st System Disconnect
Conduit
4. For cord connected equipment,
dedicated branch circuits for ITE may be
terminated in IG (isolated ground) N
receptacles. Doing so eliminates multiple G
ground paths which may be a source of
noise in the circuit. IG circuits are not a D
panacea for all branch circuit grounding NEC 250-26(c)
concerns. They are most effective where Grounding Electrode

served from dedicated, separately derived,

locally grounded sources. IG circuits will It is not recommended to make the neutral-
not improve grounding conditions when ground bond as in Figure 6B because current
served from sources which, due to improper flowing in the grounded conductor (neutral)
wiring or faulty load equipment, already between the panelboard and separately
have currents flowing on grounding derived system (transformer) causes
conductors. instability (noise) in the ground reference.
Furthermore, if the ground bus in the
5. In branch circuits serving ITE, a panelboard is not insulated from the
grounding conductor (green wire or green panelboard, the panelboard, conduit and
wire with yellow stripe) the same size as the separately derived equipment enclosure
circuit conductors shall be run in the same forma parallel neutral current return path.
metal raceway with the circuit conductors. Parallel neutral current return paths also

Page 6 Revised 2/15/97

exist via equipment grounding conductors in 2. A dedicated power source such as an
branch circuit-connected equipment. isolation transformer or PDU (power
distribution unit) should be used to power all
7. Where IG equipment grounding equipment in a data processing room.
conductors are used, they may be terminated Ground computer room power sources in
to a separate insulated grounding bus in the accordance with NEC 250-26 or 645-15.
panelboard. The insulated bus is then
connected using an insulated equipment 3. Dedicated power sources and
grounding conductor to the Xo grounding panelboards serving computer rooms should
point of the transformer be located in, or as near as possible to, the
computer room.
8. Many UPS (uninterruptible power
supplies) with bypass circuits; MG (motor When multiple power sources (isolation
generators) with bypass circuits; standby or transformers, etc.) supply power to a data
emergency engine generators; are solidly processing room, bond together grounding
interconnected systems, not separately electrode conductors from each unless doing
derived systems. The output grounded so results in objectionable current flow in
conductor (neutral) is solidly interconnected the grounding system.
to the service supplied (utility) system
grounded conductor. (See Figure 7) 4. Branch circuit grounding conductors,
raceways, grounding electrode conductors
SEPARATELY DERIVED SYSTEM
4 POLE TRANSFER SWITCH
may not have low enough impedance to
effectively ground high frequency signals. If
STD AC ALTERNATE
AC
such is the case, data contamination and
SOURCE SOURCE
mis-operation may result from noise voltage
propagating on grounding conductors.
If acceptable to the ITE manufacturer, a
SRG (signal reference grid) may be used to
A BCNG
TO CRITICAL LOADS provide a nearly constant potential, low
SOLIDLY INTERCONNECTED SYSTEM
3 POLE TRANSFER SWITCH impedance, high frequency, signal reference
grounding system. An effective SRG may be
ALTERNATE
STD AC
SOURCE
AC
SOURCE
formed using the 2 ft. x 2 ft. stringers of a
raised floor. The stringers must be bolted
together and suitably plated to give low
resistance. A stringerless raised floor may
not be used for this purpose as the floor
ABCNG
TO CRITICAL LOADS
panels do not form a solidly interconnected
grid. As an alternative, a 2 ft. x 2 ft. SRG
FIGURE 7 using 2" strips of continuous sheet copper,
aluminum, zinc plated steel, or any number
Computer Rooms (See Figure 8) of pure and composite metals with good
surface conductivity may be locally made or
1. All panelboards, grounding purchased finished. The SRG is bonded to
conductor connections to information the metal cabinets of all IT equipment using
technology equipment, grounded data cables a flat, braided copper strap as short as
penetrating the room, transient suppressor possible, preferably 2 ft. or less in length,
plates, if used, and zero signal reference and for safety purposes, to the grounding
grid, if used, should be bonded to a common conductor serving the dedicated ITE
ground reference. panelboard(s). Such a grid will effectively
ground high frequency signals up to about
20Mhz.

Page 7 Revised 2/15/97

 FIGURE 8

Page 8 Revised 2/15/97

Distributed Processing Systems (See it does not defeat EMI (electromagnetic
Figure 9) interference) control mandated by the FCC.
Distributed processing systems and local
area networks (LAN's) are those with
multiple processing units separated and Figure 9 Legend:
remote from each other. These individual
processors may be powered from the same
or separate panelboards on the same electric SE Service Entrance
service, or separate services in separate
structures. XFMR Transformer

When processors or peripherals of a DP Distribution Panel

distributed processing system are located in
separate buildings powered from separate
electric services; if practicable, bond Solid Lines Power Wiring
together the grounding electrode conductors
of each service using existing metallic Dashed Lines Data Cabling
structures such as rigid metallic conduit,
water pipes, etc. or pull a #4 or larger buried
copper conductor so that earth is not the sole
grounding connection between/among
services. The metallic connection will
attenuate steady state low frequency
potential differences between or among
services. It will not adequately attenuate
transient impulse potential differences.
Transient suppressors, optical isolators or
fiber optic links are necessary to eliminate
or reduce transient impulse activity to
tolerable levels.
When system components are located in the
same structure but powered from separate
panelboards and perhaps from distinct
separately derived systems, multiple ground
paths are present. These paths arise from
planned connections (raceway and ground
wire connections to the service entrance),
incidental connections (raceway physical
connections to structural steel, piping
systems etc.) and data cable connections
between/among IT equipment.
Dedicated circuits are strongly
recommended for ITE circuits, and IG
circuits may be recommended to limit
ground paths and noise pickup in those
paths. To further reduce ground noise
problems, data cables can be electrically
decoupled using line drivers, multiplexors,
modems, optical isolators, fiber optic links,
etc. Any such practice must have the
approval of the ITE manufacturer to assure

Page 9 Revised 2/15/97

 FIGURE 9

Page 10 Revised 2/15/97

DEFINITIONS
Ground: A conducting connection, whether such that it can provide isolation between
intentional or accidental, between an parts of the system in which it is used.
electrical circuit or equipment and the earth,
or to some conducting body that serves in Power distribution unit (PDU): A device,
place of the earth. usually isolation transformer based,
equipped with input and output circuit
Grounded conductor: A system or circuit breakers, output receptacles or cables
(current carrying) conductor that is together with associated control and signal
intentionally grounded. The neutral wire. circuits. Such devices are often safety
(white, domestic; blue, international). agency listed as electronic
computer/information technology equipment
Grounding conductor: A conductor used to or part of such a system.
connect equipment or the grounded circuit
of a wiring system to grounding Terra: French term meaning earth or
electrode(s). This conductor is not intended ground. Used in international descriptions of
to be a current carrying conductor except in power distribution systems.
fault conditions. The green wire (domestic),
green with yellow stripe wire (international); References:
or, the conduit or raceway are grounding ANSI/IEEE Std 142-1991, "Green Book," IEEE
conductors. Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial
Grounding electrode conductor: The and Commercial Power Systems.
conductor used to connect the grounding ANSI/IEEE Std 446-1987, "Orange Book," IEEE
electrode (NEC 250-81) to the equipment Recommended Practice for Emergency and Standby
grounding conductor and/or to the grounded Power for Industrial and Commercial Applications.
conductor of the circuit at the service
equipment or at the source of a separately ANSI/NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, 1996,
derived system. August 18, 1995, National Fire Protection
Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA.
Premises wiring: Interior and exterior
wiring, including power, lighting, control, FIPS PUB 94, "Guideline on Electrical Power for
and signal circuit wiring together with all its ADP Installations," September 21, 1983, U.S. Dept.
associated hardware, fittings, and wiring of Commerce, N.I.S.T.
devices, permanently or temporarily
installed, which extends from the service IEC 950, Safety and Energy Efficiency of
point of utility conductors or source of a Information Technology Equipment, Edition 2, 1995,
separately derived system to the outlet(s). International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva
Such wiring does not include wiring internal Switzerland.
to appliances, fixtures, motors, controllers, IEEE Std. 1100-1992, "Emerald Book," IEEE
motor control centers, and similar Recommended Practice for Powering and Grounding
equipment. of Sensitive Electronic Equipment .
Raceway: An enclosed channel designed
expressly for holding wires, cables, or
busbars, with additional functions as
permitted by the NEC.
Separately derived system: See NEC 250-
5(d) and NEC 250-26.
Isolation transformer: A transformer
having electrical insulation and possibly
electrostatic shielding between its windings

Page 11 Revised 2/15/97